FORT BRAGG — The household of 23-year-old Workers Sgt. Ryan Knauss traced the letters of his title on the U.S. Army Particular Operations Command’s memorial wall Thursday at Fort Bragg.
Knauss, who died Aug. 26 through the withdrawal of American troops and Afghans from Afghanistan, is one among greater than 1,242 USASOC troopers who’ve died globally whereas in service to the U.S.
A soldier with the first Special Forces Command, ninth Battalion, eighth Psychological Operations Group, Knauss’ title is the 378th to be added to the wall of troopers who served through the practically 20-year battle in Afghanistan, mentioned Lt. Gen. Jonathan Braga, commander of the U.S. Army Particular Operations Command.
Knauss was the final Fort Bragg soldier to die in Afghanistan through the World Conflict on Terror.
He was amongst 13 troops, together with Camp Lejeune Marine Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 10 different Marines, and a Navy corpsman, killed by a suicide bomber as U.S. and coalition forces tried to safe the airport for the evacuations.
Knauss’ father and stepmother, Greg and Linnae Knauss, have been surrounded by dozens of different Gold Star households Thursday whose liked one’s names are on the wall.
Greg Knauss mentioned his son was a “enjoyable man” who all the time had a smile on his face.
“Considered one of his huge issues was trying cool together with his unit,” Greg Knauss mentioned. “He was all about attempting to be one of the best — fitness-wise, or in his lessons.”
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Knauss, who grew up in Corryton, Tennessee, was in junior ROTC and informed his mother and father between his junior and senior yr that he wished to affix the Army.
Shortly after graduating from Gibbs Excessive Faculty in 2016, he “shipped out as well camp,” his father mentioned.
Knauss first deployed to Afghanistan with the 2nd Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division as an infantryman and went by way of the psychological operations evaluation and choice course after getting back from the deployment.
“Ryan liked what he was doing,” Greg Knauss mentioned. He discovered his area of interest in (psychological operations.)”
Braga mentioned Knauss was compassionate, mature and reliable.
“All through his navy profession, he by no means desired to be second at something,” Braga mentioned.
Knauss’ workforce chief shared a narrative earlier this week about how Knauss was an honor graduate and disenchanted that he wasn’t a distinguished honor graduate, although he earned the Iron Man award for health.
Braga mentioned Knauss’ angle was “manifested” by these he served alongside, together with the seventy fifth Ranger Regiment.
“His love for being a soldier was solely surpassed by his love for his household and his spouse Alena,” Braga mentioned.
Alena and Knauss’ mom Paula Knauss-Selph have been unable to attend Thursday’s ceremony.
Braga mentioned Knauss volunteered for the speedy deployment to Afghanistan in August.
“He was decided to be a part of the humanitarian effort that was getting underway,” Braga mentioned.
He mentioned Knauss’ orders to deploy to Afghanistan have been initially modified, and he was informed he was going.
Knauss’ process sergeant mentioned it was the primary time he’d ever seen Knauss offended, Braga mentioned.
“Ryan didn’t quit,” Braga mentioned. “He was decided as ever, decided to go. He didn’t relent till he had his orders to Afghanistan. His relentless dedication to serve is the epitome of braveness, selflessness, (and) private sacrifice. “
Braga informed Knauss’ household and the opposite Gold Star households at the ceremony that through the previous 20 years of fight throughout the globe, their family members and different Army particular operations forces saved the homeland protected.
He referenced an indication in his dwelling that reads: “A real soldier fights not as a result of he hates what’s in entrance of him however as a result of he loves what’s behind him.”
He informed the troopers current that they need to honor the reminiscences of the fallen troopers “to the fullest” every day.
“We honor them and our Gold Star households by holding ourselves to the identical normal of excellence that our fallen did after they gave their final full measure of devotion to their households, to their teammates and to this nice nation,” Braga mentioned.
