Hometown: Teague, TX
Branch: U.S. Army 
Unit: 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) “Green Beret”
Military Honors: 5 Bronze Stars, Purple Heart 
Date of Sacrifice: July 13, 2019 - KIA Faryab Province, Afghanistan
Age: 40 
Conflict: War in Afghanistan, 2001-2021

A career soldier, born and raised in Teague, TX, James G. “Ryan” Sartor graduated from Teague High School in 1997, where he was a standout football player. He answered the call to serve and joined the Army in June of 2001—as an infantryman in the 3rd Infantry Division—where he was quickly deployed to help lead the invasion of Iraq in 2002.

After his first combat deployment, Sartor continued to advance in his military career, being selected for the Special Forces Qualification Course where he earned his Green Beret and was assigned to A Company, 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Fort Carson, Colorado. He served there for the next 14 years, where fellow soldiers described SGM Sartor as “a leader who led with muddy boots.”

As a Special Forces Green Beret, he was deployed numerous times including operations in Iraq in 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2010-2011, Germany and Israel in 2008, Africa in 2012 and 2013, and Afghanistan in 2017 and 2019.

During the War in Afghanistan, U.S. Army Special Forces were often positioned at the front lines, accompanying Afghan special operations forces on combat operations. According to a U.S. Department of Defense release, SGM Sartor died from injuries inflicted by enemy small arms fire during combat operations in Faryab Province, Afghanistan.

“Ryan was a beloved warrior who epitomized the quiet professional,” said Col. Brian R. Rauen, commander of the 10th Special Forces Group. “He led his soldiers from the front.”

SGM James G. “Ryan” Sartor received more than two dozen awards and decorations, including five Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart.

Sources
Details and card photo provided by Terri Pryor-Patterson, SGM Sartor’s Gold Star Mother
AP News: Decorated soldier dies in combat operations in Afghanistan
Military Times, Honor the Fallen: Sgt. Maj. James G. Sartor
SOF News: SGM James Sartor – KIA in Afghanistan – RIP
Army Times: Army identifies spec ops sergeant major who died in Afghanistan
United States Army Special Operations Command: Sgt. Maj. James G. “Ryan” Sartor
War History Online: Highway to be Named After Spec Ops Sgt. Maj. James “Ryan” Sartor
Shrine of Remembrance: Sergeant Major James Gregory Ryan Sartor