Korean War Cornelius Edward Ryan CBE (May 12, 1896 – June 6, 1972) was a highly decorated officer in the United States Army with the rank of major general.

His regiment was later attached to the 83rd Division and embarked for France in July 1918, where it was stationed in the rear area, providing replacement personnel for front-line units.

Upon the graduation as major in June 1939, Ryan was appointed an instructor in the Tank section at the Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia.

He served consecutively under Brigadier generals Asa L. Singleton, Courtney Hodges, Omar Bradley and Leven C. Allen and was appointed Chief of the Automotive Section.

[2] During the first years of the United States participation in the World War II, Ryan participated in the training of Army officers with his automotive section until February 1943, when his services were requested by his old superior, Lieutenant General Courtney Hodges, now commanding general of Third United States Army at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

Ryan was attached to the headquarters, Twelfth United States Army Group as assistant chief of staff for military plans and training.

[6][7][3][8] In August 1945, three months after the surrender of Nazi Germany, Ryan was transferred to the headquarters, Fifteenth United States Army under General Leonard T. Gerow.

He served under him and later under General George S. Patton as assistant chief of staff for military plans and training during the occupation of Germany in North Rhine-Westphalia, the Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland.

While in this capacity, he was co-responsible for the governing of the city of Berlin, which was divided in four sectors occupied by Great Britain, France, United States and Soviet Union and took part in the regular meetings despite the worsening political situation.

[5][3][9] He gained the reputation of great troops trainer and got the attention of commanding general, Second United States Army, James Van Fleet, under which 101st Airborne Division fell under.

[5][9] He visited frontline areas on daily basis with South Korean counterpart and toured the battle lines, training centers, and other installations to evaluate personally the effect of KMAG's programs on ROKA units in the field.

Ryan supervised all aspects of ROKA military organization and administration, from the induction and training of soldiers, to the formation and equipping of new units, to their employment on the battlefield.

Under his experienced direction, KMAG then inaugurated a series of training and organizational reforms that laid the basis for a Korean Army capable of fighting the Chinese on more equal terms.

[10] Ryan assumed command of 69th Infantry Division in May 1954 and was again responsible for the training of replacements until November 1955, when he was ordered to Paris, France for duty as Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group there.

Ryan visited a number of CEOs of important federal contractors, including Alcoa, General Electric and Bethlehem Steel.