JAMES "RYAN" SARTOR
July 13, 2019
Name:
SGM James "Ryan" Sartor
Hometown:
Teague, Texas
DOB:
September 23, 1978
DOP:
July 13, 2019
Entered Service:
June 2001
Deployments:
He deployed to Iraq as an infantryman in 2002, and as a Green Beret assigned to 2nd Battalion, 10th SFG (A) in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010. He also deployed to Afghanistan with 10th SFG (A) in 2017 and 2019. Over his career, James deployed seven times.
Units:
3rd Infantry Division;
10th Special Forces Group (A), 2 Battalion A Co.
Education:
Basic Combat Training, Advanced Individual Training-Infantryman, Special Forces Assessement and Selection, Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards & Decorations:
Sartor’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Presidential Unit Citation Award, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Valorous Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Unit Citation with one oak leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal with six knots, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with 4 Campaign Stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 5, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 2, NATO Medal, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, and Special Operations Diver Badge.
His posthumous awards include the Purple Heart Medal and Bronze Star Medal.
Survived By:
Mother-Terri Pryor-Patterson, Wife-Deanna Sartor, Sister-Crista Brooner, Son-Stryder Sartor, Daughter-Grace Sartor, Son-Garrett Sartor
Honoree Bio:
A career soldier, born and raised in Teague, TX, James G. “Ryan” Sartor graduated from Teague High School in 1997, where he was a standout football player. He answered the call to serve and joined the Army in June of 2001—as an infantryman in the 3rd Infantry Division—where he was quickly deployed to help lead the invasion of Iraq in 2002.
After his first combat deployment, Sartor continued to advance in his military career, being selected for the Special Forces Qualification Course where he earned his Green Beret and was assigned to A Company, 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Fort Carson, Colorado. He served there for the next 14 years, where fellow soldiers described SGM Sartor as “a leader who led with muddy boots.”
As a Special Forces Green Beret, he was deployed numerous times including operations in Iraq in 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2010-2011, Germany and Israel in 2008, Africa in 2012 and 2013, and Afghanistan in 2017 and 2019.
During the War in Afghanistan, U.S. Army Special Forces were often positioned at the front lines, accompanying Afghan special operations forces on combat operations. According to a U.S. Department of Defense release, SGM Sartor died from injuries inflicted by enemy small arms fire during combat operations in Faryab Province, Afghanistan.
“Ryan was a beloved warrior who epitomized the quiet professional,” said Col. Brian R. Rauen, commander of the 10th Special Forces Group. “He led his soldiers from the front.”
SGM James G. “Ryan” Sartor received more than two dozen awards and decorations, including five Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart.
