Robert Maurice Ryans was born on December 1, 1896 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. He was the son of Gabriel and Rebecca Rines. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I as a Sergeant in Company A, 102nd Infantry Regiment, 26th Infantry ""Yankee"" Division. He was Killed in Action on September 26, 1918 in France at the age of 21 and is now buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA.

Note: Sgt Ryans mother wrote in letter to State of CT in response to CT Military Questionnaires sent 9/14/1920 that his last name was spelled RINES not Ryans but he never corrected the Army's mispelling.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Robert M. Ryans, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company A, 102d Infantry Regiment, 26th Division, A.E.F., at Marcheville, France, September 26, 1918. Sergeant Ryans was in command of a platoon advancing under heavy artillery bombardment, machine-gun and rifle fire. Though severely wounded, he continued to lead his platoon, pushing on with his men until he was killed. General Orders No. 15, War Department, 1919.