Ryan J Larson
Date of Death: 06/15/2011
Age: 19
Incident Location: Kandahar, Afghanistan
Hometown: Friendship
Branch of Service: Army
Unit: 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division
Unit Base: Fort Wainwright, Alaska
PFC Ryan Jeffrey Larson, age 19, of Friendship, Wisconsin was killed in action while serving in the United States Army on Wednesday, June 15, 2011 exactly one year to the day he left Adams-Friendship for basic training. He completed basic training at Fort Benning, Ga., and arrived at Fort Wainwright in October, according to a news release from his unit, the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.
Larson was senior class president before he graduated in 2010. He played trumpet in the school band, lettered in three sports and earned grades that put him on the honor roll each grading period of his high school career, said Adams-Friendship High School principal Timothy Hodkiewicz. "He had a quality of quiet leadership, common sense, very personable, not the too-talkative type," Hodkiewicz said. "He had the respect of everybody. A top-notch gentleman from top to bottom."
In addition to running cross country, Larson was a left-handed pitcher and outfielder for the baseball team and a member of the wrestling squad that won four conference championships while he was a member, Hodkiewicz said. He joined the Army as soon as he graduated, but when he was home on leave he came back to the wrestling practice room at the 500-student high school to work with the team.
"He always wanted to join the Army and he enlisted as soon as he could," Hodkiewicz added, remembering seeing him at school wearing a shirt with the recruiting slogan "Army Strong."
Ryan always had a twinkle in his eye and smile on his face which made him a friend to all. He had a caring heart, and a good ear to anyone in need.
Larson was senior class president before he graduated in 2010. He played trumpet in the school band, lettered in three sports and earned grades that put him on the honor roll each grading period of his high school career, said Adams-Friendship High School principal Timothy Hodkiewicz. "He had a quality of quiet leadership, common sense, very personable, not the too-talkative type," Hodkiewicz said. "He had the respect of everybody. A top-notch gentleman from top to bottom."
In addition to running cross country, Larson was a left-handed pitcher and outfielder for the baseball team and a member of the wrestling squad that won four conference championships while he was a member, Hodkiewicz said. He joined the Army as soon as he graduated, but when he was home on leave he came back to the wrestling practice room at the 500-student high school to work with the team.
"He always wanted to join the Army and he enlisted as soon as he could," Hodkiewicz added, remembering seeing him at school wearing a shirt with the recruiting slogan "Army Strong."
Ryan always had a twinkle in his eye and smile on his face which made him a friend to all. He had a caring heart, and a good ear to anyone in need.