Cruz M. Bryan, Staff Sergeant, Oregon Army National Guard (ret)

"A well-rounded man should be a warrior, an artist, and a philosopher."​ - Benvenuto Cellini

Cruz Bryan

Cruz Michael Bryan, an American soldier, 34, of Salem, was killed in action in the vicinity of Katerynivka, Ukraine, supporting combat operations against the Russian Federation.

Cruz was born on July 13, 1990, in Salem. His fascination with the profession of arms was lifelong. He adored martial arts-Tae Kwon Do, Kenpo Karate, Muay Thai, wrestling, and MMA, but none so deeply as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He practiced for many years, instructing as well, and was never happier than while incurring bruises on the mat.

In addition to his passion for military history and combatives, Cruz had a deep and abiding love of philosophy and rhetoric. He loved to explore the theoretical and challenge the accepted wisdom, in any subject, from any angle. He was a polemicist at heart, almost to the point of mischief, eager to discover a new and bizarre opinion and argue aggressively on its behalf.

Cruz spent several years in Sisters, attending Sisters High School for his sophomore and junior years, 2005-2007. He graduated from North Salem High School in 2008.

The human mind provided him an endless source of inspiration and study. He studied Counseling Psychology at Western Oregon University at the undergraduate level, finally going on to achieve his Master's Degree in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling in 2018. He applied his knowledge directly, working for several years as a personal support worker for those afflicted by intellectual and developmental disabilities. Serving the needy gave him both purpose and enduring fulfillment.

In 2013, he welcomed his daughter, Penelope, into his life. He loved her deeply, and those who served with him in Ukraine report that his final days were dominated by thoughts of her.

Cruz was honorably discharged from the Oregon Army National Guard on May 2, 2024, after 14 years of service. His time in uniform saw him through multiple combat deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia. Like so many of history's warriors, peacetime life did not suit him, and it seemed inevitable that the ongoing War in Ukraine would stir his passion to fight on behalf of a just cause. In June 2024, he volunteered for the International Legion for the Defense of Ukraine with the intention of training new recruits. Ultimately, the allure of a stand-up fight against long odds proved too much for a soldier's heart to resist. Days after arrival, he left the rear echelons to fight on the front lines.

His martial skill, dauntless courage, and unwavering commitment was witnessed by all who served alongside him through many hard-won firefights. Despite the grim realities of the terrible conflict, Cruz never lost his deep affection for Russian culture and civilization, and often mused on the peculiar nature of humanity to visit such violence on itself. On July 15, 2024, that violence tragically found him as well, when he was killed by an artillery strike in the midst of a particulary vicious assault.

Cruz will be deeply missed by those who loved him-a multitude whose numbers he could never really fathom. His large family and many friends remember him as a man of fierce passions, sincere laughter, and lofty philosophies who, though beset by many ordeals in a life defined by pursuit of the latest challenge, forever kept his great devotion to protect the humble and the innocent.

Cruz is survived by his daughter, Penelope, his mother, Deborah Lachnicht, step-father Mike Lachnicht, brother Michael Lachnicht, sister Braylin Billow, grandparents Chet and Cleone Davis, grandparents Gladene and Greg Smith; grandmother Fran Schidler, and grandparents Steve and Gwen Gilchrist.

In addition, he is survived by Trevor Evans, whom he considered a father, and Joseph Mantecon, whom he considered a brother. Both are honored to be so regarded.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on August 10 at Sisters Community Church, 1300 McKenzie Hwy., for family and friends.

An additional memorial service will be held at noon on August 17, at the Oregon Army National Guard Gresham Armory, 544 NE Division St, Gresham, Oregon. This event is open to everyone.

The site of Cruz's death is presently under occupation by Russian forces, and his status remains missing in action until further notice. The situation is being monitored by U.S. Embassy, Kyiv. When circumstances allow, he will be returned with dignity to the United States with the thanks of a grateful Ukrainian nation.

From the first to the very last, he was a soldier.