Remembering Local World War II Heroes: Thomas F. Ryan, William P. Ryan

Lt. William P. Ryan became the first graduate of Gardner High School to be honored with an award presented in his honor following his death in World War II.

Beginning in June of 1948, the first Lieutenant William P. Ryan award of $25 was presented to a worthy senior at the Gardner High School graduation that year, while a bronze plaque perpetuating his memory was unveiled in the corridor of the school.

It was noted that the “annual presentation which reflects the desire of a number of close friends of the decorated war hero to perpetuate his memory by making available financial assistance to some high school graduate selected for the qualities which distinguished him, leadership, character and sportsmanship.”

Over the years, a total of 14 outstanding Gardner High graduates had their names inscribed on the 14 plates before it was discontinued after the plaque was filled in 1961.

Those senior male graduates so honored were Robert Columbus, Alan Goddard, George Fitzgerald, James Baker, John Chase, Martin Nicholson, Harry Wilcott, Richard Neunherz, Roger Goguen, Geoffrey Pierson, Peter Jolma, Robert Weeks, Norman Begun and John Tinker.

This is the continuation of the series Remembering Local World War II Heroes.

2nd Lt. William Partridge Ryan (1922-1945)

William Partridge Ryan was born in Fitchburg on March 16, 1922, the son of James A. and Irene (Partridge) Ryan. After the family moved to Gardner, his father worked as a salesman, and they first lived at 131 Pearl St. and later moved to 15 Lennon St.

Ryan attended Gardner High School and graduated with the Class of 1939 where he was an accomplished swimmer and track performer. He enrolled at Massachusetts State College in 1940 and joined the service on Sept. 29, 1942. He remained at school in the ROTC program until he completed his junior year when his entire unit was sent to Fort Riley, Kan.

He entered active Army service at Fort Devens on June 9, 1943, and entered officer candidate school at Fort Benning, Ga., and was commissioned a second lieutenant in on April 25, 1944. He then returned to Fort Riley where he remained until being sent overseas.

During the summer months while in college, he was employed in the editorial rooms of The Gardner News and also by the Heywood-Wakefield Co.

He left for the European theater on Nov. 27, 1944, and served in the 88th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, 8th Armored Division, taking part in the Ardennes and Rhineland campaigns.

During the Rhineland campaign, Ryan was killed in action during an American attack at Rheinberg, Germany, on March 5, 1945, just before his 23rd birthday.

Besides his parents, he left a brother, Cpl. James Ryan, who at the time was serving with the Army in Burma, as well as two sisters, Jane and Joan.

He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, EAME Campaign Ribbon with two battle stars, American Theater Ribbon, World War II Victory Medal and Good Conduct Ribbon.

Ryan was buried in the National Cemetery at Margarten, Holland. There is also a stone in his honor at St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Fitchburg.

Four months after his death, Ryan was awarded the Bronze Star for heroism, which was presented to his mother at formal ceremonies at Fort Devens on June 27, 1945.

The citation stated, “On the night of February 25, 1945, Lieutenant Ryan was leader of a combat patrol pinned down by rifle and machine gun fire as it neared an enemy position. A withdrawal was effected, but eight members of the patrol were found missing. Lieutenant Ryan, with three volunteers, returned to the area to conduct a search for the missing men.”

Cpl. Thomas F. Ryan (1911-1944)

Thomas F. Ryan was born in New York on July 12, 1911, the son of Patrick and Mary Ryan. He was employed by Florence Stove in 1935 and lived at 193 Oak St. in Gardner, and later took a job with Heywood-Wakefield Co.

He married the former Ina A. Hiltunen, daughter of Bernard and Amelia Hiltunen, who lived at 17 Sand St. After their marriage, Thomas and Ina also lived there. Ina’s father died in 1941 while her mother died three years later.

Ryan entered the Army at Fort Devens on April 4, 1943, receiving his basic training at Camp Robinson, Ark. He was then sent to the European theater in July of 1944.

He took part in campaigns in northern France and Rhineland with Company I, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division.

After her parents died, Ina moved to New York City to take a job at Braun’s Beauty Salon.

On Nov. 21, 1944, Ryan’s wife, Ina, received a telegram stating that her husband had been missing in action since Oct. 28.

Exactly two weeks later, it was confirmed that the 33-year-old Ryan died of his wounds on October 28, 1944, killed in action in France. Ina later moved to New York in 1945.

Ryan was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, the EAME Campaign Ribbon with two battle stars, American Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Ribbon, World War II Victory Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge.

He was buried in the Epinal American Military Cemetery in Lorraine, France.

Comments and suggestions for Remembering Local World War II Heroes can be sent to Mike Richard at mikerichard0725@gmail.com or in writing to Mike Richard, 92 Boardley Road, Sandwich, MA 02563.

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Remembering Local World War II Heroes: Thomas F. Ryan, William P. Ryan