[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 118 (Friday, August 3, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1414]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN HONOR OF CHUCK RUNION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. WALTER B. JONES

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2012

  Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to honor Chief 
Petty Officer Charles Clinton Runion, U.S. Navy Retired, who resides in 
Washington, NC.
  Mr. Runion was born in Irwin, TN, on August 7, 1923, and over his 
lifetime he has served his country and distinguished himself as a role 
model in patriotism.
  In October of 1940, Mr. Runion enlisted in the United States Navy and 
served his country for 24 years before retiring. As a successful Navy 
pilot during WWII and the Korean War, he has flown over 80 different 
aviation vessels throughout his military and civilian life.
  Mr. Runion has had the honor and privilege to fly many important 
people of the time. He has flown President Gerald Ford and First Lady 
Mamie Eisenhower. He flew First Lady Jackie Kennedy from Washington, 
DC, to Growton, Connecticut, to launch the USS Lafayette nuclear 
submarine. Mr. Runion continued his streak of flying the country's most 
important into the 1960's with Hubert Humphrey, Lady Bird Johnson and 
Tennessee Congressman Jimmy Quillen.
  Throughout his career, Chuck Runion has been honored with many 
accolades. He has been awarded an air medal with gold star, Navy unit 
commendation, an American defense letter ``A,'' an American/European 
Pacific theater medal, a WWII victory medal, a Korean unit commendation 
and a good conduct medal with four stars. He also earned a humanitarian 
ribbon and a Berlin airlift ribbon. Mr. Runion's last flight was on 
Aug. 7, 2011--his 88th birthday.
  Mr. Speaker, Chuck Runion is part of the Greatest Generation. Like 
most members of this generation, when the war was over they came home 
and became an important part of the community. Mr. Runion not only 
became an important part of his community, but he was able to continue 
his love of flying.
  I have been fortunate enough to visit Mr. and Mrs. Runion at their 
home. I was pleased to look through the scrapbooks from Mr. Runion's 
years of service to this country. That is why today I want to recognize 
him on the floor of the House of Representatives.
  Mr. Runion remains active in his community and remains involved in 
current political issues. He is a member of Wanoca Presbyterian Church 
in Washington, NC, and has a good friend in Pastor Travis Boyd. I am 
honored to represent such a fine man who has been such an asset to our 
country and pleased to have him recognized by the United States 
Congress.

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