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Real (Local) American Heroes

Today we salute you, Mr. Fred Ryan

July 4, 2001

By: Matt McGowan

In honor of Independence Day, we here at Campanello's felt it would be fitting to pay tribute to a local American hero.  For me, there was no question who this person was going to be.  Growing up in Cheviot, there was a neighbor of ours who certainly fit the definition of the word "Hero" to all those he met.  Although I don't think I really quite understood it at the time, this man's story is an inspiration to anyone who truly loves this country and the life it affords those of us blessed enough to live here.  The man I am talking about is none other than Mr. Fred Ryan of Westwood.

Like many young men in 1950, Fred Ryan, then of Dayton, Ky., was called upon by his country to serve in the Korean War.  He was to be part of an infantry unit whose primary duty was to protect a very strategic position overlooking a road connecting the city of Seoul to the city of Pusan.  But later that summer a surprise attack by about 300 North Koreans resulted in his platoon's capture.  And that's when the unthinkable happened.

"They stood us up and machine-gunned us from 30 to 40 feet away," Mr. Ryan told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "It blew out my whole side, although I didn't realize it then."  In a matter of moments, the platoon was decimated.  On that day, August 17th 1950, only five men out of the platoon of 42 survived the attack on Hill 303, one of which was Pvt. Fred Ryan.   Near death himself, he did everything in his power to help the rest of his fallen comrades, only to have many of them die in his arms.  Eventually he would be rescued, and after enduring a series of problematic medical treatments, a bout with malaria and a set of orders that almost sent him right back to the front, the wounded solider was finally able to return home.

My family lost an uncle in the Korean war, so this subject is very close to my heart; and like in the case of my uncle, the details surrounding the capture and ambush of Mr. Ryan's unit were largely unknown. But due to the efforts of several retired Army officers, the remaining survivors of the massacre on Hill 303 were contacted and honored in a ceremony in Washington D.C. this past Memorial Day.  They have also since flown to Korea where a memorial was placed at the ambush site.  We here at Campanello's hope that you will join us in saluting Fred Ryan and the many men and women just like him, those who have sacrificed so much so that we may all live free.  God bless you all, and Thank You!

Source for quotes:  The Cincinnati Enquirer

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