Corporal Ryan C. McGhee, 21, of Fredericksburg, VA, was killed by small arms fire while conducting combat operations in Central Iraq. Cpl. McGhee was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, GA where he served as an automatic rifleman and weapons squad team leader.

Prior to his service, Ryan was selected as the captain of his football team, and received All-District honors as a linebacker for Massaponax High School. Upon graduation from high school, Ryan enlisted in the U.S. Army in August of 2006. He completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, GA. Cpl. McGhee then graduated from the Basic Airborne Course and was assigned to the Ranger Indoctrination Program at Fort Benning. In February of 2007, Cpl. McGhee graduated from the Ranger program and was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.

Cpl. Mcghee’s awards and decorations include: The Bronze Star with Valor, The Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Combat Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Combat Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, The Army Service Ribbon, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Ranger tab.

Ryan is survived by his parents, Steven and Kristie McGhee of Fredericksburg, VA and Sherrie Battle-McGhee of Knoxville, TN; his fiancée Ashleigh Mitchell; his brothers Zachary, Noah, and Gabriel; and his sisters Jasmine and Elsie.