A funeral service with military honors will be held on Friday, April 12, 2024 at 12:00 noon in Fort Jackson National Cemetery, Columbia, SC.
He is survived by his wife, Susan Mundy Ranson and son, Nicholas Ranson (Martha). He has two grandchildren, Landon and Avery of Athens, GA and his sister, Cynthia Ranson Gravely (Garland) of Clemson, SC and family.
Born on October 13, 1950 in Charleston, SC, he was the son of the late John Howard Ranson and Evelyn Bruorton Ranson. He graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1976 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Science and Math. He was a member of Northeast Presbyterian Church, National Guard Association, Army Aviation Association of America, and United States Power Squadron.
CW5(R) Ranson enlisted in the United States Army on June 17, 1969. In 1970, he completed flight school and was immediately sent to Vietnam as an AH-I Cobra attack helicopter pilot. He was assigned to the 173d Assault Helicopter Company and flew missions in Laos in Operation Lam San 719. He completed his tour in December 1971, was released from the Army, and immediately joined the South Carolina Army National Guard.
During his career in the Guard, he was employed as a fulltime Technician and was assigned to various units. CW5(R) Ranson was qualified as a Standardization Instructor Pilot in OH-58, UH1, UH-60, U8, U21, C12 and C26 aircraft. He participated in operations to Iceland in 1993, Singapore in 1995, Panama in 1998, and the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, CA in 1999. His last assignment was at Joint Force Headquarters as the Standardization Instructor Pilot where he was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer Five on June 30, 2003.
A year from retirement, he accepted another deployment to Kosovo with the 2/151st Security and Support Helicopter Battalion in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and KFOR-12. CW5(R) Ranson flew more than 16,000 accident free flight hours during his distinguished career. He retired on October 12, 2010 with over 41 years of service and resided in Columbia, SC.
He was inducted in the SCARNG WO Hall of Fame on February 27, 2011. CW5(R) Ranson's awards and decorations include: Legion of Merit; Bronze Star Medal; Air Medal; Air Force Achievement Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon; Armed Forces Reserve Medal; Kosovo Campaign Medal w/Bronze Service Star; NATO Medal.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorial contributions be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Dunbar Funeral Home, Northeast Chapel, is assisting the family.
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