Ryan Larkin

US Navy SEAL, two tours to Iraq and two tours to Afghanistan

Ryan Francis Larkin passed away on April 23rd, leaving behind a legacy defined by courage, excellence, and quiet strength.

Raised in Severna Park, Maryland, Ryan answered the call to serve at a young age. In 2006, he enlisted in the United States Navy, volunteering for one of the most demanding paths in the military—the Navy SEAL Challenge Program. Through grit, discipline, and an unbreakable mindset, he endured and graduated from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training with Class 268. In October 2008, he earned the SEAL Trident and Navy Parachute Wings—symbols of a warrior forged in adversity.

Ryan didn’t just serve—he led from the front.

As a Special Operations Combat Medic and Naval Special Warfare Sniper, he deployed into some of the most dangerous environments in the world—twice to Iraq, twice to Afghanistan, and on missions to Lebanon and Honduras. His actions under fire earned him the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal with Valor, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Valor, and numerous additional commendations. These awards speak to what his teammates already knew—Ryan was the man you wanted beside you when it mattered most.

In his final assignment, Ryan served as Lead Petty Officer and senior instructor for the Special Operations Urban Combat Course, shaping and preparing the next generation of SEALs for the realities of war. His impact lives on in every operator he trained.

After his honorable discharge in March 2016, Ryan continued to pursue growth, studying mathematics at Anne Arundel Community College. He was a rare blend of warrior and thinker—a renaissance man who found joy in music, the arts, science, and the outdoors. Whether on the water, at the range, or with friends, Ryan lived with intensity and purpose.

Above all, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, and a loyal friend.

Ryan Larkin leaves behind more than a record of service—he leaves a standard. A life of honor. A brotherhood strengthened. A legacy that will echo far beyond his years.

We have the watch. He will never be forgotten.