Paul Ryan was from Moscow and an athlete at the University of Idaho. He was also employed by the Association during his college days and, according to Bert Curtis in White Pines and Fires: Cooperative Forestry in Idaho, was an exceptionally fine young man with great possibilities. He was an infantry captain that was killed in action in Saipan, Marianas, June 17, 1944. He was born in Auburn, Maine, August 19, 1918.

Ryan was a very energetic young man with a certain fine future. He lettered in about all of the U of I athletic programs and was a very exceptional young man at college, as he was working for the Association.

He was called into action by the Army in March of 1941. At first, his activity was training troops from March 1941 through September of 1943. He was company commander of his unit and most active in the Gilbert Islands, the Marshalls and Marianas. In 1943 and 1944, Saipan was captured by the United States forces under his command. He had been decorated with the Bronze Star, Silver Star and Purple Heart. He was married to Lois Harriet in 1941, shortly before going into the service. They had no children.

A small mountain top was named in his memory. The location is Section 25, Township 39N, Range 4E. The point overlooks parts of Silver Creek and parts of Reeds Creek Basin. It can be easily located on most forest maps, Curtis said.

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