Bryan, an all-star athlete, was born and raised in Cleburne, Texas, and he joined the U.S. Army Infantry in 2003. After Boot Camp he was stationed at Fort Lewis Washington, then Grafenwoehr, Germany, and finally at Fort Campbell, KY with the 101st Airborne. Bryan's final and fatal mission to Afghanistan is documented in the film The Hornet's Nest. Bryan was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star of Valor for actions in November 2010. He is survived by his wife, Tiffany, and two children, Makya and Zander.