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     1LT Ryan D. Rawl  age 30, was a member of the 133rd MP Company "Palmetto Regulators", South Carolina National Guard (Timmonsville), attached subordinate to the HQ Detachment 720th MP Battalion, Afghanistan during 20011-2012. 1LT Rawl was killed in action on 20 June 2012 when a suicide bomber detonated himself at their checkpoint in a market place in the city of Khost near the Pakistani border, and about 90 miles southeast of Kabul, the Afghan capital. Also killed in the attack were, SFC Matthew B. Thomas and SGT John David Meador, II. Five other members of the MP Company and their Afghan interpreter were wounded .

     Ryan graduated from Lexington High School, Lexington, SC in 2000. While there, he was a member of the wrestling and football teams. He was also chosen to be sent as a representative to SC Boy's State. Upon graduation, he entered The Citadel as part of F-Troop Company. While attending The Citadel, he received the Mark Clark Award for his outstanding service on the Honor Court. He also enjoyed leading underclassmen in bible study. His major was Criminal Justice.

     After graduation from The Citadel, Rawl began work with the Richland County Sheriff Department as a deputy. During his time there he was awarded deputy of the quarter and deputy of the year for his region. He requested a transfer from road patrol to school resource officer at Crayton Middle School to be able to spend more time with his family, and to be able to work with children.

     In 2006, Ryan joined the SC National Guard. He was a member of Palmetto Military Academy class #59. The first unit he was assigned to was the 132nd MP Company out of West Columbia, SC. For a short time he served out of the 131st MP Company out of Beaufort, SC. As a platoon leader, he loved being a leader and was proud of his troops and the work they were doing. He deployed with the 133rd MP Company. His active duty deployment began September 11th, 2011.

     He received numerous decorations and honors to include the Bronze Star, The Purple Heart, The Combat Action Badge, The SC Medal of Valor and The SC Meritorious Service Medal.

     1LT Rawl is survived by wife, Katherine (Belknap) Rawl; daughter, Callie (age 4); son, Caleb (age 2); parents, Stanley and Diane Rawl; brother, Stan Rawl (Lyndsey); nephew, Hunter (age 4); niece, Hadley (age 1); and grandmothers, Eleanor Rawl and Bobbie Davis. He was predeceased by grandfathers, Andrew Lee Rawl and Bobby Leo Davis; and an aunt, Sherry Rawl.