Burris, Ryan Daniel

Ryan Daniel Burris was a 23-year-old Petty Officer Second Class from Lisle, Illinois. He served in the U.S. Navy as part of Mobile Communications Team One, a unit responsible for establishing and maintaining secure communications for military operations.

According to the Department of Defense, Burris died on May 21, 2015, from wounds sustained in a small arms fire incident at Zayed Military City, a major training and logistics base in the United Arab Emirates. The U.S. Navy stated he was shot by a fellow service member, a U.S. Marine, during a security drill. The Marine was subsequently charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Burris's death occurred during Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S.-led military intervention against the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria. The coalition, which included the United Arab Emirates, used bases like Zayed Military City for training, logistics, and command functions supporting combat operations against ISIS-held territory.

The incident prompted an investigation by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). In 2016, the charged Marine, Sergeant Walter E. R. Ogas, pleaded guilty at a court-martial to involuntary manslaughter and negligent homicide. He was sentenced to reduction in rank and a bad-conduct discharge.

Burris was posthumously awarded the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. He is remembered on memorial walls at his alma mater, Lisle High School, and within the U.S. Navy's community. His death highlighted the inherent risks of training, even in locations distant from front-line combat.

Ryan Burris was killed during Operation Inherent Resolve (ongoing since August 2014). See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.

Among those documented in the same conflict: Villotcarrasco, Yeshabel, Spears, Jordan Lee, Walker, Jonathan Doyle, Neal, Sean Patrick.

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