Patrick J. Ryan

Patrick J. Ryan (January 1, 1931 – February 13, 2013) was a United States Marine Corps lieutenant colonel, intelligence officer, lawyer, and author. A career Marine officer, he served in reconnaissance and special operations units, including the 1st Force Reconnaissance Company, and later became known for his military service in Chile during the period surrounding the 1973 Chilean coup d'état. After retiring from the Marine Corps, he became an attorney and served for more than two decades as honorary Chilean consul in San Diego.

Early life and education

Ryan was born on January 1, 1931, in North Arlington, New Jersey. He attended College of the Holy Cross on a football scholarship, graduating with a degree in economics in 1953. During his early years, he was a successful athlete and briefly pursued a professional football career before returning to military service. |Situation Report #2 of the U.S. military group in Valparaíso, written by U.S. Naval Intelligence Office Marine Lt. Col. Patrick J. Ryan

During his assignment as deputy chief of the United States Military Group in Chile (December 1972 - April 1976), Ryan was stationed in the country during the political crisis that culminated in the overthrow of President Salvador Allende on September 11, 1973. According to accounts of his military career, he received the Legion of Merit for his service in that position. He is described as "a bloodthirsty anticommunist" after failures in Vietnam.

General Carlos Prats mentions Ryan in an interview with the The Times of London:

Ryan replied:

Later life

After retiring from active military service in 1982 with the rank of lieutenant colonel, Ryan continued his studies and obtained degrees in international relations and law. He worked as a criminal defense attorney in California from 1987 until 2006. )