Donald E. Runyon

Lieutenant Donald Eugene Runyon was a U.S. Navy flying ace who had eleven victories with squadrons VF-6 and VF-18 in Pacific combat.

Early life
Runyon was born 26 June 1913 to Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Runyon at Fairmount, Illinois, and grew up on his parents' 80-acre farm near Alamo, Indiana. He attended Alamo High School for three years and Crawfordsville High School for one year. Joining the Navy at age 21, he did his boot training at Norfolk, Virginia, and was a Machinist.

Military service
Runyon did two hitches in the Navy, the first as an enlisted Naval Aviation Pilot. He was the Navy's top Wildcat ace of World War II. He scored eight victories in three combats as a warrant officer with VF-6 of USS Enterprise during August 1942, including four kills during the Battle of the Eastern Solomons. On 7 August, he downed two Val dive bombers, and the next day added a Zero and a Betty to his score. On 24 August, Runyon shot down three Vals and a Zero.

During his second combat tour in the Pacific in 1943 as a commissioned officer, he scored three more victories while flying F6F Hellcats with VF-18 off of USS Bunker Hill.

Death
Runyon died in December 1984. His home of record was La Jolla, California.

Awards
Runyon was awarded the Navy Cross in June 1943 for his actions on 7-8 August 1942. He also received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his action during his first tour.