James Augustine Ryan (October 22, 1867 – January 14, 1956) was a career officer in the United States Army.

A native of Danbury, Connecticut, Ryan graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1890 and was commissioned in the Cavalry.

[7] During his Fort Assinniboine posting, Ryan took part in the roundup and deportation of Canadian Cree people led by Little Bear, who were subsequently returned to Alberta and Saskatchewan.

[8] After leaving Montana, Ryan was assigned to duty with the Yukon Relief Mission, which provided emergency assistance to Klondike Gold Rush miners when they experienced severe food shortages.

[9] During his Philippines service, Ryan was among the U.S. officers accused of using the water cure and other harsh interrogation measures on Filipino prisoners.

[10] In his defense, he argued that his actions were a military necessity and did not cause enough harm to his interrogation subjects to be considered torture.

[9] From August 1905 to October 1906, he was a student at Fort Leavenworth, first attending the Infantry and Cavalry School, then the United States Army Command and General Staff College.

[6] From August 1911 to July 1914, Ryan served as assistant professor of modern languages on the West Point faculty.

[6] In October 1914, he was transferred to the 13th Cavalry Regiment and assigned to Columbus, New Mexico on patrol duty during the Mexican Border War.

[6] From March to May 1916, he served as Intelligence officer (G-2) on the staff of U.S. commander John J. Pershing during the Pancho Villa Expedition, after which he returned to duty with the 13th Cavalry.

[6] With U.S. entry into World War I causing an increased need for lieutenants and captains, the army began operation of several Officers' Training Centers.

[6] In December 1917, Ryan was promoted to temporary brigadier general and assigned to command 1st Brigade, 15th Cavalry Division at Fort Sam Houston.

[6] When the army determined that Cavalry units would not be required for combat in France, Ryan requested assignment to an Infantry brigade.

[8] After leaving the army, Ryan pursued a civilian business career, initially as an executive with Merrill Lynch & Co. in Chicago.

[11] While in Mexico, Ryan assisted in negotiating the Bucareli Treaty, which settled claims by U.S. corporations for losses they sustained during the Mexican Revolution.