Private First Class James Francis Ryan is an American soldier who served for the 101st Airborne Division in Baker Company, 1st Battalion 506th PIR during World War Two in the film, Saving Private Ryan. He was the youngest sibling of the Ryan family. His older brothers were Daniel Ryan, Peter Ryan and Sean Ryan and his mother was Margaret Ryan.
References
He served in the 101st Airborne Division he was assigned to go under the command of Captain Jennings. Captain Jennings was later ordered to defend Ramelle from an expected German attack led by Major Hoess. After he was found and ordered to leave he refused and wanted to stay with his unit,he also said to Miller to pass a message to his mother stating that he is alive along with his "brothers" of soldiers.
The Battle Of Ramelle
In the Battle, James was the primary objective to keep safe by Miller. This meant that almost all the time Miller was no more than 2 feet away from him. He was not left alone apart from one occasion which almost resulted in his death. He was always under the supervision of Captain Miller. It explains why Miller told James to stay in his position and not help the defenders disabling the Tiger tank.
Shortly after, the Tiger notices Private Ryan and decides to take aim at him, but Rieben noticed and hurried to pull Ryan out of it's shell's line of fire. Miller, whom forgets everything, hurrys up to Ryan to find him struggling to get released from under Rieben. He then sees the 20mm flak shell tear off his friends.
He and Miller soon become trapped in a shell hole and run out of ammunition so they begin to use 60 mortar rounds to take out the Germans by fusing the arming wire with a metal plate since they had no mortar to fire them with.
They soon make it across the bridge and use some scavenged ammunition to try and draw the Germans fire. It doesn't work, however, leaving them no choice but to blow the bridge. Ryan cowered behind a wall rocking and crying from a mental breakdown because of what is happening around them.
Once reinforcements arrive and drive the Germans back, Ryan sits beside Miller as the Captain dies from a bullet which was shot by a German soldier. Miller tells him to earn the sacrifices of the soldiers just as he dies.
74 years later, Ryan is beside Millers grave in Normandy and asks his wife if he is a good man and lived a good life; which she confirms; allowing him to feel he made their sacrifice worthwhile.
An older James Ryan