Ryan, John P., 1905-1960.

Colonel John P. Ryan was born in the old family home in Baltimore, Maryland in 1905. Colonel Ryan first attended St. Charles College to become a priest. He later decided on a medical career and studied at the Johns Hopkins University, Loyola College, and the University of Maryland. In 1928, during a break in his studies, he changed his mind on a career again and enlisted as a private in the Army Air Force at Brooks Field, Texas. He became a second lieutenant the next year, and had a distinguished career in flying.

Ryan was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1929, appointed a first lieutenant in 1935, captain in 1940, major in 1941, and lieutenant colonel in February 1942, colonel in August 1942. Ryan married Anna Marie Brennan on December 26, 1930. He was stationed at Aberdeen Proving Ground from 1932 to 1935, where he did pioneer work on the Norden Bomb Sight that made possible high altitude precision bombing. He gained recognition of one of the foremost aerial bombing authorities in the world, and as a result, has been called the 'father of modern bombing.' He later served at Nichols Field, Philippines, Maxwell Field, Alabama, and Barksdale Field, Louisiana. In 1942, while director of the bombardier cadet training school at Kirtland Field in New Mexico, RKO Radio pictures produced a movie depicting his life. Actor Pat O'Brien played the part of Colonel Ryan in the film "Bombardier," which also starred Randolph Scott, Eddie Albert, and Anne Shirley. In 1943, Colonel Ryan became the commanding officer of Carlsbad Army Air Field, where he developed the largest school of its kind. In late 1944, he was transferred to the Deming Army Air Field where he became its commanding officer. Colonel Ryan was a personal friend of Generals Dwight D. Eisenhower, Douglas MacArthur, and Jimmy Doolittle. After a long and illustrious career, Colonel Ryan retired from the United States Air Force in the 1950s, and died on July 13, 1960. He was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.

From the description of John P. Ryan papers, 1907-1960. (New Mexico State University). WorldCat record id: 60643776

Colonel John P. Ryan, a retired Air Force officer was born in the old family home in Baltimore, Maryland in 1905. Colonel Ryan first attended St. Charles College to become a priest. He later decided on a medical career and studied at the Johns Hopkins University, Loyola College, and the University of Maryland. In 1928, during a break in his studies, he changed his mind on a career again and enlisted as a private in the Army Air Force at Brooks Field, Texas. He became a second lieutenant the next year, and had a distinguished career in flying. Ryan was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1929, appointed a first lieutenant in 1935, captain in 1940, major in 1941, and lieutenant colonel in February 1942, colonel in August 1942. 1 Ryan married Anna Marie Brennan on December 26, 1930. 2

He was stationed at Aberdeen Proving Ground from 1932 to 1935, where he did pioneer work on the Norden Bomb Sight that made possible high altitude precision bombing. He gained recognition of one of the foremost aerial bombing authorities in the world, and as a result, has been called the "father of modern bombing." Ryan also made another successful fight in the service. He believed that bombardiers rated commissions. Before Ryan took up the cause, bombardiers usually held the rank of sergeant. Ryan felt that it was unbecoming for a sergeant to be directing the commanding officer of a bomber in the approach to a target. He won his battle to have bombardiers commissioned as officers. He later served at Nichols Field, Philippines, Maxwell Field, Alabama, and Barksdale Field, Louisiana. 3

In 1930, while still a lieutenant Ryan survived a strange accident. While stationed with the Second Bombardment Group of the United States Army he was co-piloting a big bomber on a practice flight over northern Indiana. He had started out in his light summer clothes but his group of planes went so high that he started to feel cold. He told the co-pilot he was going to get a sweater and undid his safety belt and his parachute. Then he stepped down into the bomb bay where he stood up to put on his sweater. The bomb bay was open at the top for a machine gun mount and Ryan saw only sky above him. Suddenly the plane struck a downdraft, which dropped the plane from under him. For a second he was suspended in midair but managed to grasp the top of the windshield and pull himself back into the cockpit. A foot was injured when a propeller hit it and his arms and shoulders were badly strained. 4

In 1942, while director of the bombardier cadet training school at Kirtland Field in New Mexico, RKO Radio pictures produced a movie depicting Ryan 's life. Actor Pat O'Brien played the part of Colonel Ryan in the film "Bombardier," which also starred Randolph Scott, Eddie Albert, and Anne Shirley. 5 In 1943, Colonel Ryan became the commanding officer of Carlsbad Army Air Field, where he developed the largest school of its kind. In late 1944, he was transferred to the Deming Army Air Field where he became its commanding officer. 6 Colonel Ryan was a personal friend of Generals Dwight D. Eisenhower, Douglas MacArthur, and Jimmy Doolittle. After a long and illustrious career, Colonel Ryan retired from the United States Air Force in the 1950s, and died on July 13, 1960. He was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.

1. Catholic Review , 30 October 1942.

2. The Evening Sun (Baltimore, MD), 26 December 1930.

3. The Evening Sun (Baltimore, MD), 15 July 1960.

4. The American Weekly , 20 August 1944. See also The Evening Sun (Baltimore, MD), 15 July 1960.

5. GI , 29 September 1944. See also San Antonio Evening News (San Antonio, TX), 19 May 1943.

6. The Daily Current-Argus (Carlsbad, NM), 22 September 1944.

From the guide to the John P. Ryan papers, 1907-1960, (New Mexico State University. Archives and Special Collections Department.)