Ryan grew up in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where he developed a passion for skateboarding, snowboarding, and football. A standout athlete at Massaponax High School, he earned All- District honors as a linebacker and served as team captain. Deeply affected by the events of September 11 and inspired by NFL player-turned-soldier Pat Tillman, Ryan declined a college scholarship to serve his country.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army on August 1, 2006, as an infantryman. After completing One Station Unit Training and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia, he was selected for the Ranger Indoctrination Program. He graduated in February 2007 and was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning. He began his service in Bravo Company as a rifleman and grenadier, later rising to weapons squad team leader in Delta Company. Ryan completed three combat deployments to Afghanistan. On his fourth deployment—this time to Iraq—he was killed on May 13, 2009, during a mission targeting a weapons facilitator and suicide vest cell in central Iraq.

Ryan’s legacy lives on through his family, friends, and comrades.