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RUNYAN -- ALBERT (AL) COLONEL, USAF. RET. (KOREA AND VIETNAM VETERAN) Age 83, joined his wife Terry and his son Scott in heaven Friday, 30 March, 2012. Al Runyan loved his large family and will be tremendously missed by those who knew him. Al Runyan is survived by his son Damon Runyan (LCDR, USN, Ret) and wife Michelle; daughter Patricia and husband Lee Dickens (SGTMaj, USMC, Ret); daughter Coreen and husband Lee Carrillo, all of Albuquerque; brother Scott and wife Hilda of San Francisco, brother Don and wife Ruth of Oregon, and sister Mary and husband Tom of Connecticut; grandchildren, Alan Runyan (USMC Veteran) and wife Donna; Kristine and husband Dave Peabody; and Michael Runyan all of Albuquerque; Kristen Carrillo of Paso Robles, California; and Aaron Carrillo and wife Cindy of Phoenix, AZ. Al had five great-grandchildren, Valerie and Natalie Runyan, Amanda and Kyle Peabody, and Elijah Carrillo. Col. Runyan retired from the United States Air Force after 26 years of service in 1974 shortly after his repatriation from North Vietnam where he was held under brutal conditions for 6 years and 10 months as a Prisoner of War. While on his 88th mission as a reconnaissance pilot flying the McDonnell Douglas RF-101 Voodoo twin-engine jet aircraft, Col. Runyan was shot down by hostile ground fire and captured by the North Vietnamese army. Col. Runyan, along with approximately 570 other American Air Force and Navy pilots, spent years enduring physical torture, isolation, and starvation in several prison camps around North Vietnam. In late 1972, after the successful Operation Linebacker II ordered by President Nixon, negotiations between the United States and the North Vietnamese government led to the release of all American prisoners of war (POWs) in mid-February 1973. Upon his return, for his actions as a pilot and as a POW, Col. Runyan was awarded the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross (bronze oak leaf), the Bronze Star (Combat V and 2 bronze oak leaves), the Air Medal (2 bronze oak leaves) and the Purple Heart (bronze oak leaf). He served briefly as the Assistant Wing Commander of Kirtland AFB prior to his retirement. Al was always very pleased with the decision by his wife, Terry, to settle in Albuquerque during his time in Vietnam. He truly enjoyed the climate and watching Albuquerque grow. Al will be remembered by his family as a caring father who helped care for his quadriplegic son, Scott, for nine years after Scott was stricken with a nerve disorder; and a disciplined and honorable man ready to offer help in any way he could to those in need. Al also hoped and prayed for a full accounting someday of the nearly 5,000 Americans still as Missing in Action. Service will be held at French ~ Wyoming Chapel at 10:00 am on Saturday, April 7, 2012, followed by interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery with full military honors by Kirtland Air Force Base Honor Guard. The entire Runyan family would like to send thanks to the hundreds of people around the United States who wore Al Runyan's POW Bracelet, and to those who honored him as the true American hero he is. Should friends desire, contributions may be made to the American Red Cross, Mid- Rio Grande Chapter, 142 Monroe NE, 87108, Wounded Warriors, 7020 A C Skinner Pkwy Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL 32256 or to any military family organization. Please visit our online guestbook for Col. Runyan at www.RememberTheirStory.com FRENCH 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400
        Published on: Thu April 05, 2012