William Ryan Owens (March 5, 1980 – January 29, 2017) was a decorated United States Navy SEAL senior chief petty officer.

[2][3] Owens' parents worked at the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, where his father was a policeman and a military veteran while his mother was a detective.

[6] CNN reported that during these tours, he helped rescue comrades who were pinned down and wounded, and guided in MEDEVAC choppers while under fire.

[4][8] The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) William Ryan Owens, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy from 19 July 2015 to 21 July 2015, while serving with a Joint Task Force in support of overseas contingency operations.

His bold combat leadership and personal courage under fire emboldened and inspired his mounted element to penetrate 275 kilometers into enemy-held territory against a determined force of 400 enemy fighters.

By his bold initiative, undaunted courage, and complete dedication to duty, Senior Chief Petty Officer Owens reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

[9]Owens died of wounds as a result of the Yakla raid, a U.S.-led Special Operations Forces attack in Al Bayda province in central Yemen,[10] a terrorism-related mission during the Yemeni Civil War, on January 29, 2017.

[11][2][4] The need for the raid, which was planned by the Obama administration and took place six days after Trump was sworn into office, was questioned by Ryan's father, Bill Owens.

"[14] President Trump paid tribute to Owens during his address to a joint session of Congress on February 28, 2017, saying, "Ryan's legacy is etched into eternity.