Knauss, Ryan Christian

Ryan Christian Knauss was a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army, assigned to Company B, 9th Psychological Operations Battalion, 8th Psychological Operations Group, based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. A native of Corryton, Tennessee, he graduated from Gibbs High School in 2016 and enlisted in the Army that same year. He was trained as a psychological operations specialist.

On August 26, 2021, Knauss was among the U.S. service members and civilians providing security at the Abbey Gate of Hamid Karzai International Airport. A suicide bomber detonated an explosive vest in the dense crowd. The attack, claimed by the Islamic State's Afghan affiliate, ISIS-K, killed 13 U.S. service members and at least 170 Afghan civilians.

Knauss was killed during Operation Freedom's Sentinel, the U.S. military mission in Afghanistan that succeeded Operation Enduring Freedom. The operation began in January 2015 and was ongoing at the time of his death. The attack occurred during the final days of the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan and a massive, chaotic evacuation of civilians following the Taliban's takeover of Kabul.

Knauss's death was confirmed by the U.S. Department of Defense. His body was returned to the United States in a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in his honor.

Knauss was posthumously promoted from Sergeant to Staff Sergeant. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Meritorious Service Medal. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. His family described him as a man of faith who was dedicated to his country.

Ryan Christian Knauss was killed during Operation Freedom's Sentinel (ongoing since January 2015). See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.

Among those documented in the same conflict: Sanchez, Maria Victoria, Dawson, John Michael, Ruiz, Pablo Allende Iii, Mckenna, Peter Andrew Jr.

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