Army Staff Sgt. Knauss honored in dignified transfer Aug. 29
By Jeaneane Payne
August 30, 2021

Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss remains are transerred at Dover Air Force Base. Image by U.S. Air Force photo by Jason Minto

A U.S. Army carry team transferred the remains of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss of Corryton, Tennessee, Aug. 29, 2021 at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. Knauss was assigned to the 9th Psychological Operations Battalion, 8th Psychological Operations Group, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss; image courtesy of DOD

Knauss was killed along with 12 other service members on August 26, 2021. The incident occurred Thursday morning outside the gates of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul as the result of an enemy attack while supporting the NEO there. A number of Afghan civilians were also killed, and both American service members and Afghan civilians were injured. Those service members killed came from the Marine Corps, the Army and the Navy.

A U.S. Army carry team transfers the remains of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss of Corryton, Tennessee, Aug. 29, 2021 at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. Knauss was assigned to the 9th PSYOP Battalion, 8th PSYOP Group, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. U.S. Air Force photo by Jason Minto

Knauss was a Gibbs High School graduate and was married. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee said in a statement "Ryan embodies American heroism — saving people he had never met before, in the face of persistent evil. We will never forget his sacrifice in service to his country.

"While no words could ever be enough, I join Tennesseans — and all Americans — in extending my deepest condolences to Ryan’s family. Chuck and I are praying for them during this time of unimaginable pain and loss.”