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SEPTEMBER 1-7, 2021 UCW 9
Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, a soldier assigned to
Fort Bragg's 9th Battalion, 8th Psychological Opera-
tions Group (Airborne) died as a result of wounds
sustained from an attack at the Hamid Karzai Inter-
national Airport, where he was supporting non-
combatant evacuation operations Aug. 26 in Kabul,
Afghanistan.
"We share in the tremendous grief over the loss
of Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss, and we stand in support
of his wife and entire family during this tragic time,"
said Col. Jeremy Mushtare, commander of 8th
Psychological Operations Group (Airborne). "Ryan
was the embodiment of an Army Special Operations
Forces soldier, a testament to the professionalism of
the non-commissioned officer corps, and a steadfast
husband and teammate. His loss is devastating to
our formation and Army family."
Knauss, 23, of Corryton, Tenn., joined the Army
in May 2016. Following Initial Entry Training and
Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga., Knauss was
assigned to 2nd Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment,
82nd Airborne Division, and deployed to Afghani-
stan in 2017 as an infantryman. Upon returning
home he attended and completed the Psychological
Operations Assessment and Selection Course and
the Psychological Operations Qualification Course.
Upon graduation, Knauss was assigned to 9th Bat-
talion, 8th POG (Airborne).
Staff Sgt. Knauss's military education includes
the Basic Airborne Course, Basic Leader Course,
Advanced Leader Course, Psychological Operations
Assessment and Selection Course, Psychological
Operations Qualification Course, and Survival, Eva-
sion, Resistance and Escape Course (Level C). His
awards and decorations include the Purple Heart,
Bronze Star Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army
Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service
Medal, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Global
War on Terrorism Medal, Combat Infantryman
Badge, Combat Action Badge, and the Army Basic
Parachutist Badge.
U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08),
Fort Bragg's Congressman, released a statement
Saturday that read "Renee and I join our country in
praying for the family of Staff Sergeant Ryan Knauss,
including his wife in Pinebluff and his extended
family in Tennessee and Florida. His loss is felt by
our entire Fort Bragg community and our nation will
never forget his sacrifice, as well as that of all of our
fallen service members. ey put their lives on the
line to save our fellow citizens and allies in harm's
way. ey are heroes."
13 U.S. service members killed in airport
attack in Afghanistan
e attack last week at Hamid Karzai International
Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, claimed the lives of
13 service members including 11 Marines, a Navy
corpsman and an Army soldier assigned to a unit
from Fort Bragg. Several Marines were wounded in
the attack, said Marine Corps spokesman Maj. Jim
Stenger. e attack was one of the deadliest of U.S.
forces in the 20-year history of the war in Afghani-
stan. "Freedom comes at a cost," Marine Corps
Commandant Gen. David Berger said while visiting
Camp Lejeune, N.C.
"I think the best that we can do from where we sit
here in North Carolina is send them our prayers,"
Berger added. "ese fallen heroes answered the
call to go into harm's way to do the honorable work
of helping others. We are proud of their service and
deeply saddened by their loss." ere were more
than 2,000 Marines in Kabul, Afghanistan. ey had
been rushed to the airport to aid in the evacuation
of U.S. citizens and Afghans attempting to flee the
country. ey mostly came from the Central Com-
mand's 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Special
Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force.
e coronavirus pandemic worsens
Fayetteville residents are being asked to wear face
coverings when out and about in public and private
places. Mayor Mitch Colvin issued a citywide state
of emergency requiring everyone to wear masks
when apart from household members. Masks are
also required outdoors when physical distancing
is not possible such as the ballpark for baseball
games. Cumberland County Commissioners joined
in requiring mask wearing in suburban and rural
areas. ey voted unanimously last week to have the
Cumberland County Health Department issue an
order requiring everyone within the county limits to
wear masks. County Attorney Rick Moorefield told
commissioners that the order can be enforced with
civil action and will be applied to all municipalities
in the county. City and county leaders made their
decisions because of the rapid spread of the corona-
virus Delta variant.
Gateway improvements are encouraged
Residents of the new Ponderosa community off
Bonanza Drive and city leaders were on hand for a
neighborhood ribbon-cutting last month. Residents,
officials of the city's Economic and Community De-
velopment Department and Fayetteville-Cumber-
land Parks and Recreation worked to refurbish the
community entryway. e program fosters neigh-
borhood pride in moderate income communities
by providing funding for erection of neighborhood
signs, landscaping and placemaking. e objective
is to create quality neighborhoods. Residents in-
terested in learning more about the Neighborhood
Beautification Program should contact the Eco-
nomic and Community Development Department
at 910-433-1590. Additional information: www.fay-
ettevillenc.gov/city-services/economic-community-
development/neighborhood-resources.
Fort Bragg soldier among troops killed in Afghanistan
by JEFF THOMPSON
NEWS DIGEST
JEFF THOMPSON, Reporter.
COMMENTS? Editor@upandcom-
ingweekly.com. 910-484-6200.
Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss
(Photo courtesy 1st Special Forces Command)