[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 87 (Thursday, June 16, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1126]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 HONORING U.S. ARMY FIRST LIEUTENANT JOHN M. RUNKLE OF WEST SALEM, OHIO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES B. RENACCI

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 16, 2011

  Mr. RENACCI. Mr. Speaker, my thoughts and prayers are with the family 
of 1st Lt. John Runkle as we honor his memory and express our deepest 
gratitude for his service to America. Our Nation and our State lost one 
its finest last month when Lt. Runkle of West Salem, OH died while 
serving our country in Operation Enduring Freedom in Kandahar, 
Afghanistan. A native Ohioan, John Runkle graduated from Northwestern 
High School in 2002 and then enlisted in the U.S. Army. Following a 
deployment to Iraq during 2004 and 2005, he entered West Point, where 
he went on to graduate in the top ten percent of his class.
  In 2010 Lt. Runkle graduated from Ranger School and served with the 
4th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, based at Fort Campbell, 
Kentucky. A standout servicemember in our Armed Forces, Lt. Runkle 
earned numerous commendations and medals during his career, including 
the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal and the 
National Defense Service Medal. Lt. Runkle was 27 years old when his 
unit was struck by an improvised explosive device in Kandahar, 
Afghanistan on May 26, 2011. Lt. Runkle is survived by his father, John 
Runkle of Wooster, OH and his mother, Christine Runkle of West Salem, 
OH. He is also survived by his sister, Jane, and brothers Corey and 
Brent.
  Although Lt. Runkle's life was cut far too short, the achievements he 
earned and the selfless service he gave to our Nation during his 27 
years far exceeded what most of us could hope for in several lifetimes. 
Lt. Runkle represented the best of what America has to offer and his 
legacy will serve forever as a shining example of sacrifice, honor and 
a steadfast commitment to preserving freedom and liberty for all those 
that he left behind. Our country is a lesser place without him, but 
remains free and strong thanks to his service and his sacrifice.

                          ____________________