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Runyon, Donald E.

Date of birth:
June 26th, 1913 (Fairmount/Illinois, United States)
Nationality:
American

Biography

Donald Runyon was credited with a total of eleven shot down enemy planes.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Ensign
Unit:
Fighting Squadron 6 (VF-6), U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6) (Fighting Squadron 6 (VF-6), U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6))
Awarded on:
June 1943
Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Section Leader of Fighting Squadron SIX (VF-6), attached to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands. On 7 August 1942, despite tremendous counter fire from hostile fighters, Ensign Runyon shot down two Japanese dive bombers. On the following day, again facing hostile opposition, with superb airmanship the valiantly attacked and shot down one twin-engine Japanese Torpedo Plane and one Zero-type fighter airplane. Ensign Runyon's outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 315 (June 1943).
Navy Cross

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