Willard was the son of Willard and Gertrude (McClintock) Ryan. He had no siblings. Willard was raised in Groveland, Mass. He was a 1961 graduate of Haverhill High School. Shortly after graduation he enlisted in the army. On January 23, 1963 Willard married his high school sweet heart, Geraldine "Gerri" Morelli. They had three children. Geraldine "Gerri" A. M., (1964-1994), Cathleen M. (1965) and John J. (1966). Gerri was six months pregnant with John when Willard died. Willard was killed by mortar fragment wounds while stationed in Vietnam, which he received when his unit came under attack from the North Vietnamese army. He was the first causality of the war from his hometown. He was twenty-three at the time of his death.
Willard was the son of Willard and Gertrude (McClintock) Ryan. He had no siblings. Willard was raised in Groveland, Mass. He was a 1961 graduate of Haverhill High School. Shortly after graduation he enlisted in the army. On January 23, 1963 Willard married his high school sweet heart, Geraldine "Gerri" Morelli. They had three children. Geraldine "Gerri" A. M., (1964-1994), Cathleen M. (1965) and John J. (1966). Gerri was six months pregnant with John when Willard died. Willard was killed by mortar fragment wounds while stationed in Vietnam, which he received when his unit came under attack from the North Vietnamese army. He was the first causality of the war from his hometown. He was twenty-three at the time of his death.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
-
U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1861-1985
-
U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
-
U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010
-
Vietnam War: U.S. Military Casualties, 1956-1998
-
U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
