Marine Lance Cpl Mayhan was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twenty-nine Palms, California. Mayhan was the gunner on a humvee that was struck by an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations in Ah Nahiyah. Ryan was a former student at Lawndale's Leuzinger High School who finished his education at Lloyde High. He joined the Marines in 2003 because he was dissatisfied with his job in a retail store and knew he was meant for better things. Following boot camp at Camp Pendleton, he was deployed to Iraq last year. He frequently called home to let his mother know he was safe. He returned home but was sent back to Iraq in September – it was this time that Ryan had a premonition that he might not make it back. Three weeks before his death, a bomb had hit his humvee and he was hospitalized with an injured hand and severe headaches; a short time later he was sent back to the field. Ryan spoke English, Spanish and was learning Arabic. He had talked of a career in law enforcement, possibly with the U.S. Secret Service, when he got out of the military. Ryan was an outstanding individual who stood up and did what he had to do – he fought to the end.
Marine Lance Cpl Mayhan was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twenty-nine Palms, California. Mayhan was the gunner on a humvee that was struck by an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations in Ah Nahiyah. Ryan was a former student at Lawndale's Leuzinger High School who finished his education at Lloyde High. He joined the Marines in 2003 because he was dissatisfied with his job in a retail store and knew he was meant for better things. Following boot camp at Camp Pendleton, he was deployed to Iraq last year. He frequently called home to let his mother know he was safe. He returned home but was sent back to Iraq in September – it was this time that Ryan had a premonition that he might not make it back. Three weeks before his death, a bomb had hit his humvee and he was hospitalized with an injured hand and severe headaches; a short time later he was sent back to the field. Ryan spoke English, Spanish and was learning Arabic. He had talked of a career in law enforcement, possibly with the U.S. Secret Service, when he got out of the military. Ryan was an outstanding individual who stood up and did what he had to do – he fought to the end.
Inscription
BELOVED SON
RYAN L. MAYHAN
AUGUST 23, 1981 - DECEMBER 21, 2006
