Born on April 9, 1984, 1LT John Marshall Runkle was a native of Medina, OH. Runkle was most recently assigned to the Pathfinders, 4th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY.

Runkle joined the U.S. Army in 2002 after he graduated from Northwestern High School. He deployed to Iraq for 10 months in 2004. Runkle then attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, graduated in the top 10 percent of his class in 2009, earned his Ranger Tab in 2010, and deployed to Afghanistan in 2011. He served as an Infantryman and received the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal, among many additional awards and achievements. Runkle was a distinguished soldier admired for his brave and noble actions.

1Lt John Marshall Runkle Jr, 27, of the U.S. Army, was killed on May 26, 2011, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery

john marshall runkle jr's Profile Picture

Thank you for your ultimate sacrifice and service young man.

I don’t personally know you or your family. I do know you served to protect all of us in this great country.  I am so grateful to you.  If the family reads this I know you are so very proud of John.  I hope you find some solace in knowing so many citizens including myself are so very grateful and proud of your son.
Rest In Peace John

To John’s Mom, Dad and Family
Take care of each other.  My family and I hold you in our prayers today.


It was an honor getting to meet your parents today and to hear your story from your mother. Today we honored you and the sacrifice you made. Thank you sir for your service and your sacrifice. 

We honor your service and I and Carry the Load will carry you every year.  

John, thank you for your service. I met you today through your parents and Carry the Load. I am grateful to have heard your story. God Bless!

More information on John can be found at The Runkle Project, here:
https://runkle.one-name.net/getperson.php?personID=I38623&tree=runkle

Hello John,

I’m here today with your mom visiting your gravesite.  Such an honor. We can never thank you enough. You will never be forgotten.  


James 

JOHN MARSHALL RUNKLE JR

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