Ryan D. Russell

Died: March 5, 2007

Rank: Specialist

Unit: 1st Squadron, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

Branch: U.S. Army

Specialist Ryan D. Russell sacrificed his life for his country on March 5, 2007, while caring for wounded fellow Soldiers in Baqubah, Iraq. The 20-year old medic was serving with the 1st Squadron, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, based at Fort Hood, Texas, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was providing lifesaving assistance to his injured comrades after an improvised explosive device (IED) hit one of his unit’s Humvees. Russell was struck and killed when a second IED detonated. A memorial ceremony was held in Russell’s honor at the Nashville Praise and Worship Center, Nashville, North Carolina, and he is buried in Ayden Cemetery, Ayden, North Carolina.