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James M. Ryan collection, 1925-2005, Date accessioned: 2005-12-09

 

Summary

Creator:
Ryan, James M., 1925-1945
Extent:
2.5 Linear Feet 2 full boxes, 1 half box
Language:
English Japanese
Preferred citation:

[Title of Item], [Date of Item], [Box and Folder number], James M. Ryan collection, Special Collections & Archives, Florida State University Libraries, Tallahassee, Florida. http://purl.fcla.edu/fsu/WWII_98_0626

Background

Scope and content:

This collection relates to James M. Ryan who served as a 2nd Lieutenant Bombardier on a B-24 Bomber with the 866th Squadron, 494th Bombardment Group, stationed in Okinawa. Ryan's plane was shot down over Kyoto on July 28, 1945, and he was then imprisoned by the Japanese (declared missing in action by the United States). Ryan subsequently perished 500 feet from the epicenter of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan on August 6, 1945. This collection contains photographs, letters, documents, and artifacts relating to the life, service, and death of James M. Ryan. His cased engraved purple heart medal is included in this collection.

Biographical / historical:

James M. Ryan was born on February 3, 1925 in Binghamton, NY and was 20 years old when he flew on the "Lonesome Lady" B-24 bomber from Okinawa to Kyoto on a mission to bomb Kure Harbor, when his plane was shot down. Ryan and all but one of his crew members were captured and taken prisoner to Hiroshima's Chugoku Military Police Headquarters. Two of his crew members, Pilot 2nd Lieutenant Thomas C. Cartwright and Tail Gunner Staff Sergeant William E. Abel survived the war. Cartwright was moved to Tokyo before the Atomic Bomb fell onto Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, but Ryan was killed in action during this bombing. Abel was held at Kure, Japan.

Custodial history:

Transferred from the Institute on World War II and the Human Experience to FSU Libraries Special Collections & Archives in July 2022.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open to all researchers.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to quote, publish, broadcast or otherwise reproduce from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Associate Dean for Special Collections & Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Florida State University Libraries as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Title of Item], [Date of Item], [Box and Folder number], James M. Ryan collection, Special Collections & Archives, Florida State University Libraries, Tallahassee, Florida. http://purl.fcla.edu/fsu/WWII_98_0626

Location of this collection:
116 Honors Way
Tallahassee
FL
32306-2047
USA