John F. O'Ryan

John Francis O'Ryan (August 21, 1874 - January 29, 1961) was Commanding General of the 27th Division during World War I.

Career


John F. O'Ryan received a law degree from New York University and became an attorney in 1898. He enlisted in the New York National Guard while still a college student and received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in 1900.

In 1912 O'Ryan was appointed Major General and commander of the New York National Guard. He graduated from the Army War College in 1914 and served in the 1916 Villa Expedition.

At the start of World War I the New York National Guard was organized as the 27th Infantry Division. The 27th saw action in Belgium and France, and O'Ryan, the Army's youngest division commander when he arrived in Europe, was the only National Guard general to remain in command throughout the war. After returning to the United States O'Ryan was a founder of the American Legion.

From 1922 to 1926 he was New York State Transit Commissioner. In 1926 he became prominent in the development of commercial aviation as a partner in Pan American Airways, later becoming President of Colonial Airlines. In 1934 he was a candidate for Mayor of New York, but withdrew and accepted appointment as Mayor LaGuardia's Police Commissioner.

In 1940 Maj. Gen. O'Ryan, according to the Washington Post of July 16, 1940, was registered with the State Department as an agent of the Japanese government. This was probably just after heading an economic mission to Japan in June of that year. He more than likely cut ties with the Japanese before or shortly after Pearl Harbor was bombed.

During World War II he served as New York State's Civil Defense Director. About 1945 he was elected National Commander of the Military Order of Foreign Wars and, on December 7, 1945, visited President Truman at the White House on to pay his respects.

O'Ryan's awards included the Distinguished Service Medal and the Victory Medal. His international awards included decorations and knighthoods Belgium, France, Italy and Great Britain.

In 1952 a New York National Guard training area in Wethersfield, New York was dedicated in his honor, Camp O'Ryan. General O'Ryan died at South Salem, New York on January 29, 1961. he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 2, Site E-17 LH.