Bayou Icon | Service Beyond Combat

ARTICLE BY GEORGIANN POTTS
AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CLARK

Fifty-seven years ago, just days before the end of his Vietnam tour, Captain Herschel Ryan was severely wounded while leading a combat helicopter mission in the Suoi Ca River Valley. Despite losing his left hand and eye, he went on to build a successful civilian life and now devotes his time to supporting fellow veterans.

It was 57 years ago this past February when Captain Herschel Ryan (US Army – retired) was serving as Platoon Leader for Company A, 227th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division. On that day he was Aircraft Commander and Flight Lead flying combat assaults in the Suoi Ca River Valley in Vietnam. Just 18 days before his year of duty in Vietnam was scheduled to end, Herschel was leading a mission designed to insert troops as a blocking force and trap the enemy in the valley. Unknown to Herschel, the landing zone was surrounded by enemy troops armed with .51 caliber machine guns. Herschel landed, got the troops off his ship, but as he took off a firefight ensued. Herschel was in a left bank looking down and saw the 51 cal. tracers coming toward his helicopter. A direct hit cost him his left hand and with shrapnel destroying his left eye. Over time Herschel’s wounds have healed, the bad memories have faded somewhat, and he is grateful for the life he has lived since that year at war. Today this proud husband, father, and grandfather is grateful to be a part of our community. Now retired from a successful career that included real estate, construction, and financial advising, Herschel spends time both enjoying his family and helping other veterans by volunteering for many veterans’ organizations including the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum. In gratitude for his military service and the example that he has set for so many other veterans, Herschel Ryan is our July Bayou Icon.

When asked recently about his memories of his tour of duty in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot, Herschel was quick to respond. He pointed out that his Vietnam war experience represents only one of his 82 years – a relatively small slice of life. “Even so, though you leave Vietnam, Vietnam never leaves you,” Herschel said. 

With two reminders that are with him constantly – a hook replacing his left hand and an artificial left eye – it would be impossible not to remember. But as catastrophic as his injuries were, Herschel is quick to say that there were really good times while he was serving “in country.” He insists that he would not change a thing about his experience except for that last day!  “Flying helicopters was a fun job, I was in Vietnam early on when we were winning, and I had a great ‘Band of Brothers’.” Herschel explained that every Vietnam vet has a different story, depending on their job and when they were in Vietnam. “Pilots, crew chiefs, and door gunners were all volunteers,” Herschel says. ‘They did it because they wanted to fly.”

When Herschel talks about Vietnam, he often gives a short “history lesson” because there is so much misinformation about that conflict. “It is important to know that all U.S. troops came home from Vietnam after the Paris Peace Accords were signed in 1973,” Herschel explains. “The war had become political and the U.S. stopped all aid to South Vietnam. The South Vietnamese fought on for 2 more years before Saigon fell in 1975.  The only U.S. troops in country were Marines guarding the U.S. Embassy. When the American people saw images of that fall, they had a hard time separating the war from the warrior which was very unfortunate. A sad ending to an unpopular war.” Herschel’s service is a family tradition. His father, Herschel Ryan Sr., served in the Pacific and was injured in the Philippines during WWII. All three of his uncles also served in WWII either in the Pacific or in Europe. 

Growing Up in the Ozarks
Herschel was born in his maternal grandmother’s (Gertrude Cartiss) home in Mammoth Springs, Arkansas. The home had no plumbing, a water faucet outside, and a wood stove for heat – although it did have electricity. “We were not completely in the backwoods since a doctor attended my birth,” Herschel says with a laugh. “My mom saved the $25 receipt from the doctor!” Herschel’s mom Meredith and her sister, Jo, lived with Grandma Curtiss during WWII. For Herschel, living with his mother, grandmother, aunt, and cousin provided a fun, safe haven for a young boy.

When Herschel was 6, the family moved to Mountain Grove, Missouri. His father had been transferred there in sales for Nutrena Feed. Mountain Grove was home to Herschel through his ninth-grade year at Mountain Grove High School. He played football, baseball, and played cornet in the band there. 

Herschel remembers growing up with fishing and hunting taking up most of his free time – sometimes with adventures! When he was 12, he was squirrel hunting on his uncle’s farm and got lost. “I finally walked out of the woods after several hours while all the adults were frantically searching for me,” Herschel says. 

Not all of his free time was spent in nature, however. He loved going to St. Louis to watch the Cardinals play baseball. “Stan Musial was a star player at the time, and one of my heroes,” Herschel remembers. He also enjoyed a drive with his family from Missouri to Los Angeles to visit family. “We drove across the desert in a car with no air conditioning,” Herschel remembers. “We drove with canvas bags full of water attached to the windows to help us cool off. I learned to ride my cousin’s bicycle while we were there and got to watch their family television. I couldn’t believe they had multiple television stations from which to choose. We only had one in Missouri and the antenna had to be turned just right to get that station.”

From Mountains to Bayous
In 1957, Herschel’s family moved to Monroe. They lived near Bayou DeSiard and ULM where Herschel saw people boating and skiing. It was love at first sight! He as determined to by his own ski boat. He enrolled in Ouachita Parish High School and got his first job – a paper route. That job taught him a lot about working, handling money, and dealing with the public. He delivered papers twice a day – morning and evening editions – and then went door-to-door for collections. “Some people had a hard time coming up with that $1.10, so I spent a lot of Saturdays collecting.” Proceeds from that paper route enabled him buy a ski boat which became his favorite space when not in school. “Spending time on the bayou and river was great fun,” Herschel recalls. “I did miss out on a lot of extra-curricular activities in high school, though, because I had a job.  My spare time was spent on my boat. I was mostly a ‘river rat’!”

During his high school years, Herschel’s favorite subject was math. His plan was to go to Louisiana Tech, become an engineer, and then serve in the United States Air Force. His early heroes were WWII aviators who fought the Battle of Britain during the Blitzkrieg. He intended to join the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) so that he would enter the military at officer rank.

As with all lives, circumstances changed. Instead, Herschel enrolled at the University of Louisiana Monroe (known at that time as Northeast Louisiana State College), majored in math and physics, and joined ROTC there. He checked groceries at Kroger and later at Safeway while going to college. “This was a time way before scanners so every item had to be priced and entered individually,” Herschel says. “There weren’t any credit cards, either!”

Transitions
When he graduated from college, Herschel was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army. There he served 3 years and was medically retired as Captain in 1968 after being severely injured while leading a flight on a combat assault. Herschel was awarded the Silver Star for that mission. 

Herschel’s first step toward assimilating back to civilian life came during the 6 months he spent in Brook General Army Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. It was there that Herschel received his prosthetic arm and learned how to use it. “I quickly learned that it worked pretty well,” he recalls. “I could hold a fork in my hook and cut a steak by myself. I could play pool, tie my shoes, and with the help of the physical therapists learned to incorporate my hook into daily activities.”

At Brook Herschel received a custom-made plastic eye. He says that it is so well made that most people don’t realize that it is artificial. “I shouldn’t mention that bad jokes I’ve played on people by ‘accidentally’ popping it out,” Herschel says with a grin. “My grandson now wants me to show his buddies how I can take my eye out — entertainment for teenage boys!”

The second step as he transitioned from soldier to civilian was coming back home to Monroe. Herschel freely admits that he was lucky to live in this special area of America. “Unlike most Vietnam vets, I received a hero’s welcome home,” Herschel says. “I am thankful for the patriotic people from this area. I have been thanked for my service since day one.” 

The third step – and perhaps the single most important one – was meeting Debbie Beaver. Herschel had decided to return to ULM and work on an MBA. It was there that he and Debbie happened to attend a party, though not together. He says that he noticed a cute girl dancing in front of him “. . . obviously trying to get my attention.” Debbie says that she was just looking at his hook and eye patch and wondering what had happened to him. 

The next week Herschel called Debbie and asked her to go to see the Harlem Globetrotters with him. She agreed, but admitted to having second thoughts after. She told her mother that she was going to break the date. Her mother advised her not to break it because “. . . he might have a friend you will like!” The two married in September 1970 and honeymooned in Europe, using a copy of Europe on $5 a Day as their guide.

“I credit Debbie with helping recover from my experiences in Vietnam and to start enjoying life,” Herschel readily admits. “I now realize one can’t experience combat without having PTSD. One of the major symptoms of PTSD is inability to talk about Vietnam or war in general. Debbie encouraged me to tell my Vietnam stories and was a good listener.” 

In many ways, Herschel’s experience was different because he had the hook and could talk a great deal about flying helicopters while showing his Vietnam slides and telling war stories. Herschel laughingly says that Debbie saw and heard them so often that she could tell them better herself. He also had a buddy he flew with in Vietnam, Clyde French, who lived in West Monroe. The two got together often and talked about the times they could have died, but didn’t. “I had therapy that no psychiatrist could offer,” Herschel says. “Good friends, neighbors, community, family, and lots of people praying for me.” 

Children and Careers
With MBA in hand, Herschel started a family business, Ryan Realty and Construction. “It was a true family business. My father was in charge of sales, my sister, Marilyn Lipscomb, was office manager and I ran the construction end of the business,” he explains. After spending 20 years in this business, Herschel had what he describes as “. . . a midlife career change” and in 1992 joined A.G. Edwards as a financial advisor. “I found a profession that I loved utilizing my education and life experiences,” Herschel says. “I could make a difference in clients’ lives. That has made it a rewarding career as I have helped clients – who became friends – achieve their financial goals. A.G. Edwards merged with Wells Fargo Advisors, and Ryan Wealth Management Group was formed when Hershel’s son Michael joined the firm.”

Herschel and Debbie also began a family. They have two sons. Son Michael is married to Erica Moser and the two have given Herschel and Debbie two grandchildren – Paige (18 and a recent Neville graduate) and Jack (15 and a rising Freshman at Neville). They live in Monroe where Michael is Senior Vice President-Investments and Branch Manager of Wells Fargo Advisors. Son Jeffrey lives in Austin, Texas, and is Senior Operations Manager for Zerocater.

As their sons were growing up, Herschel made time to coach baseball, football, and basketball teams. They also owned a ski boat and spent many hours on the river skiing, tubing, and wakeboarding. The two also made certain that their sons learned the joy of travel. Family trips in their 21’ Terry Camper became fond family memories. They upgraded to motorhome travel and are now in their 4th motorhome enjoying trips throughout the U.S. Both he and Debbie were involved with youth groups in their church (New Life Community Church now merged with Christ Church) where they have been members for 30+ years). They held Bible studies and small groups in their home for years, and have been on mission trips to Mexico, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Peru, and twice to China.

And for the Next Chapter
From that first trip together on their honeymoon to Europe, both Herschel and Debbie have loved traveling. They have been back to Europe a number of times and have enjoyed river cruises there as well as cruises to the Greek Isles, the British Isles, Alaska, and the Caribbean. Trips to Ireland, Austria, Canada, and Mexico have also been fun. “We love adventure, trying new foods and experiences. We’re not afraid of Ziplines, swinging over the Royal Gorge, hiking mountains, swimming with dolphins, scuba diving, or snow skiing,” Herschel says with a smile.

Now that both are retired (Debbie had a successful career as an R.N. working in Home Health, Hospice, and Wound Care), Herschel says they are in the “travel season” of their life. They are usually traveling about 6 months out of each year.

The last several years (now on their 4th motorhome) the couple has “wintered” in southwest Florida at the Riverbend RV Resort. There they have made new friends and play in golf and pickleball groups. “We say it’s like summer camp for adults because every day is filled with so many activities,” Herschel says. Summers find them headed to cooler spots. The two have explored Colorado, Glacier National Park, Yosemite, Upper New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, South Dakota, Utah, Canada, and Michigan – so far. 

Unexpected Closure
Thirty years after Vietnam, Herschel’s company (A227th Assault helicopter BN 1st Cav) began having reunions. Most Vietnam veterans would not want to return to that country. Herschel said several of them talked about going back to Vietnam at the reunions and decided to make it a reality. They visited where they had lived and flown while in country. “I visited the burial site of my hand,” Herschel recalled. “Thirty years after Vietnam, a fellow aviator (Rod Esterak) with tears streaming down his face, told me that he had gathered the fragments of my hand from my helicopter, had a proper burial, and even said a prayer. Not many people can say ‘I have one hand in the grave and have visited the gravesite’. I received closure that I didn’t realize I needed.”

“When I left Vietnam, the guys did not know if I survived or what had become of me,” Herschel explains. “Remember, this was long before computers and social networking were available. The reunions reaffirmed our unbreakable brotherhood. Only those who have served can truly understand. That’s a reminder that even as time passes the connection remains – strong and grounded in shared sacrifice and loyalty.” 

“One never gets over combat experiences,” Herschel says. The helicopter pilot’s job was one of the most dangerous and demanding roles of the war. We were responsible for Combat Assaults, MedEvac Missions, Resupply and Logistics, Reconnaissance flying and Search and Rescue. We had to navigate without GPS, in treacherous terrain and frequently received enemy fire. I am proud to be part of a group of men who were incredibly courageous skilled combat aviators. We played a crucial role in the war effort and saved countless lives.” 

What many do not realize is that active advocates for veterans like Nell Calloway (Executive Director of the Chennault Military Museum), and places like the Chennault Museum have also saved many lives – right here stateside. Herschel – and countless others – have been helped immeasurably by these opportunities to share experiences and remember together with those who truly understand.