1st LT John M Runkle, Jr. USA (KIA)
Cullum: 65881
Class: '09
Cadet Company: E4
Date of Birth:
Date of Death: May 26, 2011 - View or Post a Eulogy
US Army First Lieutenant John M. Runkle, age 27 from West Salem, Ohio, was killed in Afghanistan on 26th May 2011 when his unit was struck by an improvised explosive device in Kandahar province, Afghanistan
Lt. Runkle served with the 4th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
His body arrived at Dover Air Force Base on Saturday 28th May 2011.
His awards and decorations include: Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Air Assault Badge; Parachutist Badge; Pathfinder Badge and Ranger Tab.
LT Runkle is survived by his father, John Runkle of Woster, Ohio and mother, Christine Runkle of Salem, Ohio.
Lt. Runkle had been in the Army prior to attending West Point. He had been deployed to Iraq for 10 months before starting the class of 2009. He graduated in the top 10 percent of his class.
Killed with him were:
Staff Sgt. Edward D. Mills Jr., 29, of New Castle, Pa.;
Staff Sgt. Ergin V. Osman, 35, of Jacksonville, N.C.;
Sgt. Thomas A. Bohall, 25, of Bel Aire, Kan.;
Sgt. Louie A. Ramos Velazquez, 39, of Camuy, Puerto Rico; and
Spc. Adam J. Patton, 21, of Port Orchard, Wash.
