John Francis O'Ryan (August 21, 1874 – January 29, 1961) was a Manhattan, New York City attorney, politician, government official and military officer.

It was later assigned to General Sir Henry Rawlinson's British Fourth Army, with which it soon found itself engaged in very heavy and bloody fighting in an attempt to break through the Hindenburg Line, in particular during the battle of St Quentin Canal, fought in late September and early October 1918.

[11] In 1926 he became prominent in the development of commercial aviation as a partner in Pan American Airways, later becoming President of Colonial Airlines.

[12][13] In 1933 O'Ryan led parades protesting the treatment of Jews in Germany and advocating for the U.S. government to intervene on their behalf.

[16][17][18] In 1940 O'Ryan led a study group in Japan and occupied China, with the knowledge of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

While in Japan, O'Ryan learned that the Japanese government planned to sign the Tripartite Pact with Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany.

In 1945 he was elected National Commander of the Military Order of Foreign Wars and, on December 7, 1945, visited President Truman at the White House to pay his respects.

As Commander of the 27th Division in its successful operations with the British in France in the Autumn of 1918, General O'Ryan displayed qualities of skill and aggressiveness which mark him as a leader of ability.

In the breach of the Hindenburg Line between St. Quentin and Cambrai the name of his division is linked with the British in adding new laurels to the allied forces in France.