Ryan Casey McGhee Corporal, United States Army |
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| U.S.
Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) News Release IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 334-09
DoD Identifies Army Casualty The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Corporal Ryan C. McGhee, 21, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, died May 13, 2009, from wounds suffered when his unit came in contact with enemy forces while conducting combat operations in Central Iraq. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Georgia. For more information media may contact the U.S. Army Special Operations Command public affairs office at (910) 432-6005; (910) 689-6187 after hours, or visit http://news.soc.mil. 14 May 2009: A Fredericksburg man who was an Army Ranger died yesterday of wounds received by small-arms fire in central Iraq. Corporal Ryan C. McGhee, 21, and his unit were conducting operations to rid Iraq of a weapons facilitator and suicide-bomber cell known to be operating in the area when they came under attack, the Army said in a statement.
McGhee was an automatic rifleman assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Georgia. "Corporal Ryan McGhee's actions are in the finest traditions of this great regiment," Colonel Richard D. Clarke, 75th Ranger Regiment commander, said in a statement. "He continuously answered his nation's call, fighting the most tenacious, fanatical and resolute enemies of our country during multiple deployments to places where most would or could not go. His memory will not be forgotten by our Rangers." McGhee was on his fourth deployment. The other deployments had been to Afghanistan, the statement said. McGhee enlisted in the Army on August 1, 2006, after graduating from high school in Fredericksburg. McGhee is survived by his father, Steven McGhee
of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, his mother, Sherrie L. McGhee of Knoxville,
Tennessee, and his brother, Zachary, the statement said.
In a solemn scene yesterday on the tarmac, McGhee's remains were transferred by fellow soldiers from a 747 cargo plane bearing the Stars and Stripes on its flank, to the ground where relatives and a large white van were waiting. McGhee, a 2006 Massaponax High school graduate, is the son of Steven and Kristie McGhee of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Sherrie Battle-McGhee of Knoxville, Tennessee. He was engaged to be married to a fellow Massaponax High School graduate next year. On Wednesday, the flag-draped remains of five soldiers killed over the weekend by a troubled fellow soldier in Iraq were were received by relatives at the same spot. McGhee, who served four tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, was killed by small arms fire while conducting combat operations in central Iraq, when his unit came under fire. A combat operator with the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Georgia, McGhee was part of a team hunting down a weapons provider and a suicide-bombing cell. "He was an all-around great person and he loved what he did," McGhee's brother Zachary, 24, said yesterday. "I talked to him two weeks ago. He called to wish me a happy birthday. He said he loved me and he missed me." Zachary McGhee, who lives in Stafford County and is a Sergeant in the Army National Guard in Fredericksburg, said his brother was interested in the military early on and decided in his senior year in high school to become a Ranger. "He pretty much wanted to serve his country and give something back." "Ryan McGhee's actions are in the finest traditions of this great regiment," said Colonel Richard D. Clarke, 75th Ranger Regiment commander. "He continuously answered his nation's call fighting the most tenacious, fanatical and resolute enemies of our country during multiple deployments to places where most would or could not go. His memory will not be forgotten by our Rangers." High school Principal Joe Rodkey said he learned about McGhee's death Wednesday while attending a Massaponax soccer game. "This is just devastating to us," Rodkey said of the impact on the Massaponax High School community. "We all just thought the world of him." McGhee also had been a member of the Key Club and served on the class executive board his junior and senior years. He was chosen by his classmates for two senior superlatives--friendliest and most charming. Rodkey said he met in his office yesterday with students who had learned of McGhee's death. "Kids have a hard time with this because they never expect it to be anyone they know," Rodkey said. He said the school is prepared to assist students if any need help dealing with the death. Deb Aragon, who helps coordinate the "dignified transfers" at the Air Force Base, said it's an emotional time for all involved. "My heart goes out to the families every time,"
said Aragon, a retired Air Force Master Sergeant. "I have two sons, 19
and 21."
Ryan C. McGhee, 21, who grew up in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and became an automatic rifleman in the Army Rangers, was killed Wednesday by small arms fire during combat in central Iraq, the Pentagon said. The Corporal's unit was trying to rid Iraq of a weapons facilitator and suicide-vest cell known to be operating in the area, officials said in a statement yesterday. He was serving with the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment of Fort Benning, Georgia. After graduating from high school, McGhee enlisted in the U.S. Army in August 2006. McGhee, who was born in Pennsylvania, was on his fourth deployment; his three other deployments were to Afghanistan, the Pentagon said. "Corporal Ryan McGhee's actions are in the finest traditions of this great regiment," Colonel Richard D. Clarke, 75th Ranger Regiment commander, said in the statement. McGhee is survived by his father, Steven McGhee of Myrtle Beach South Carolina; his mother, Sherrie McGhee of Knoxville, Tennessee; and his brother, Zachary. Corporal McGhee will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors on 2 June 2009.
Click Here For A Tribute To Ryan Conceived My His Gold Star Mother
MCGHEE, RYAN CASEY
Webmaster: Michael
Robert Patterson
Posted: 27 May 2009 Updated: 3 June 2009 Updated: 28 June 2009 Updated: 29 June 2009 Updated: 6 Augut 2009 Updated: 7 August 2009 Updated: 10 August 2009 Updated: 6 December 2009 Updated: 31 January 2011 Updated: 12 April 2011 Updated: 8 July 2011 UpdatedL 27 March 2012 |
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