Sgt. 1st Class Ryan J. Savard was born on Feb. 27, 1983 in Salt Lake City, Utah and graduated in 2001 from Buena High School in Sierra Vista, Ariz.
He first entered the U.S. Army as a Helicopter Repairer on Aug. 29, 2001 and after completion of Initial Entry Training he was assigned to Bravo Company, 7th Battalion, 159th Aviation in Gieblstadt, Germany where he served for two years as a UH-60 Repairman. While assigned to the 159th Aviation, Savard deployed once to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In June 2004, Savard attended and graduated from the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School to become a Special Forces weapons sergeant. Upon graduating from the Special Forces Qualification Course, Savard was assigned to Company A, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C., where he served as a Special Forces Company Assistant Operations Sergeant and a Special Forces weapons sergeant. In 2008, Savard was assigned to Operations Detachment Group Support Battalion, 3rd SFG (A) where he served as a Senior Special Forces weapons sergeant. While assigned to 3rd SFG (A), Savard deployed three times to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom.
Savard was assigned in May 2010 as a Special Operations Team Member, U.S. Army Special Operations Command. For over two years he performed this duty, deploying twice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Savard completed numerous military courses while serving in the U.S. Army to include the Warrior Leader Course, Basic Airborne Course, Survival Evasion Resistance Escape High Risk Survival Course, Special Forces Qualification Course, Advanced Leader Course, Special Operations Weapons Sergeant Course, Special Operations Language Training-French, Special Operations Target Interdiction Course, ULLS-A Course, Ranger Course, Special Forces Advanced Reconnaissance Target Exploitation Course, Advanced Land Navigation Course, Free Fall Parachutist Course, Senior Leader Course, and the Static Line Jumpmaster Course.
Savard’s awards and decorations include two Bronze Star Medals, Purple Heart, three Army Commendation Medals, Joint Service Achievement Medal, three Army Achievement Medals, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, three U.S. Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Ribbon, Kosovo Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, four Afghanistan Campaign Medals, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service medal, three Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons, U.S. Army Service Ribbon, three U.S. Army Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal with Bronze Service Star, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Aviation Badge, Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge, Parachutist Badge, and five Overseas Service Bars.
Savard was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal (3rd Award), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Purple Heart.
Savard is survived by his spouse and parents.
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