{"id":47354,"date":"2021-09-27T21:36:23","date_gmt":"2021-09-27T21:36:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/uncategorized\/2021\/09\/27\/the-absolute-best-of-us-teammates-eulogize-psyop-soldier-lost-in-kabul-attack\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T03:38:46","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T03:38:46","slug":"the-absolute-best-of-us-teammates-eulogize-psyop-soldier-lost-in-kabul-attack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/your-army\/2021\/09\/27\/the-absolute-best-of-us-teammates-eulogize-psyop-soldier-lost-in-kabul-attack\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018The absolute best of us\u2019: Teammates eulogize PSYOP soldier lost in Kabul attack"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

During a Friday afternoon memorial ceremony, the Army\u2019s psychological operations community paid its final respects to one of the victims of the Aug. 26 suicide bombing targeting<\/a> the U.S.-led evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport<\/a>, in Kabul, Afghanistan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss<\/a>, a psychological operations NCO, was part of Bravo Company, 9th Psychological Operations Battalion, 8th Psychological Operations Group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He died along with 11 Marines and a Navy corpsman when an ISIS suicide attack targeted refugee screening points at the HKIA\u2019s Abbey Gate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Knauss, who hailed from the small town of Corryton, northeast of Knoxville, Tennessee, is survived by his wife, Alena, who spoke with CNN last week about her husband.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday in a private ceremony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Friday\u2019s livestreamed memorial service, his superiors and teammates remembered him as a talented, promising young soldier and leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Knauss\u2019 first sergeant said he followed the unofficial, number one rule of special operations \u2014 always look cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First Sgt. Michael Dean said he met Knauss during an assessment event after returning from a tour with another unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aspiring PSYOP soldiers must attend a selection course to join one of the active-duty Army\u2019s psychological operations battalions. But to be selected for 9th Battalion, which supports elite special mission unit operations worldwide, requires a second internal assessment and selection process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI knew almost everyone in the company, but there was this young soldier that was evaluating candidates who stood out, and I didn\u2019t know who he was,\u201d Dean said. \u201cI watched him persistently give quality feedback to the candidates after they finished…I asked him why he gave such quality feedback to the candidates, since this was only an assessment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe looked at me and said, \u2018Just because they\u2019re being assessed doesn\u2019t mean we can\u2019t use it as an opportunity to teach. They\u2019re still PSYOPers,\u2019\u201d the first sergeant recalled. \u201cThat\u2019s a testament to his character, and as a person. He cared so much about doing things well that he was willing to make others better, even if they never worked together again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Members of the 3rd Infantry Regiment perform Honor Guard duties during the funeral of Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, at Arlington National Cemetery Sept. 21, 2021. Friends and family gathered to honor Staff Sgt. Knauss, a member of 8th Psychological Operations Group, who was killed in action in Kabul Afghanistan, Aug. 26, 2021. (Army\/Spc. Emanuel Latimore)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Knauss\u2019 battalion commander, Lt. Col. Daniel Kinsella, described him as \u201cthat perfect mix of brains and brawn.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen we got word of this mission, Ryan was the first to raise his hand and say, \u2018I will go \u2014 send me,\u2019\u201d Kinsella recalled. \u201cHe was playing a direct part in saving American lives and getting them to safety. He was living out his life\u2019s purpose, and making a difference, and helping people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of Knauss\u2019 teammates, who requested that Army Times withhold his name, described his friend as an eclectic, lovable warrior who would listen to Theodore Roosevelt speeches before ruck marches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy did it have to be the absolute best of us?\u201d asked the teammate. \u201cMany of the people in here, myself included, would have given anything for it to be us instead of him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt would not have changed a single decision if he had known what was to come,\u201d Nelson said. \u201cFor all of us that really knew him, we are better men for it…Ryan, your name will always be remembered.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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