Runyon, Daniel C. 

DANIEL CLIFTON "MOON" RUNYON

PRIVATE 1st CLASS
U.S. ARMY

Daniel Clifton "Moon" Runyon was born January 9, 1917 in Geneva, Indiana. Daniel was the third born of five children to Leonard and Julia (Champer) Runyon. His two older brothers were Millard and Leonard. The family lived on Railroad St. in Geneva but by 1940 had moved to Portland, Indiana where Daniel attended high school. His father, Leonard worked as an inspector and his mother, Julia worked as a seamstress in a factory in town. At Portland High School, Daniel took classes preparing him for college and was active in both Latin Contest and choir. In a "Class Will" section of the 1936 yearbook, Daniel "leave my wild west adventures to Hamilton Ferguson". His senior year quote in the 1940 Portland High School Yearbook was an old proverb, "Learning is better than house and land". 

According to the 1940 census, Daniel was living at home in Portland and working as a taxi driver. Daniel later married Ruby F. Walker from Blackford County, Indiana and eventually resided together in Hartford City, Indiana. 

On January 17, 1941 Daniel enlisted into the United States Army. His service number was 20538086. Private First Class Runyon served with the 38th Infantry Division, 152nd Medical Detachment. His primary role was to provide medical support to the soldiers of the 38th Infantry Division including treating the wounded. 

The unit was deployed to the Pacific Theatre of war in late 1942 supporting troops in combat. By 1944, the 152nd Medical Detachment was assisting in the liberation of the Philippines ("Operation King Two") under the command of General Douglas MacArthur. Through 1945, the unit provided medical support during the Battle of Luzon. 

Private First Class Daniel Runyon was killed in action on May 16, 1945 on the island of Luzon. A letter written by Captain Wayne Sandefur to his widow detailed the events leading up to his death. He writes, "On May 16, the battalion was assigned the mission of taking a heavily fortified hill. The platoon with which Daniel was working was suddenly caught between cross-fire and men were wounded. Withouth hesitation, he rushed to the aid of these men. He treated three men under fire and had them evacuated. While treating the fourth, he was fatally shot through the heart and died instantly". 

PFC Runyon was temporarily buried at the American Cemetery in Manila, Philippines. Upon the completion of the war, his remains were returned to the states. His remains are now interred at the Hartford City Cemetery, in Hartford City, Indiana. 

For his service and sacrifice, PFC Runyon earned the WWII Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, American Defense Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, and the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in combat resulting in death.

SOURCES

           “AncestryClassroom.” Ancestryclassroom.com, 2021, www.ancestryclassroom.com/search/collections/2442/records/55560645. Accessed 6 May 2025.

"Battle of Luzon." HistoryNet, www.historynet.com/battle-of-luzon. Accessed 7 May 2025.

           “Daniel Clifton “Moon” Runyon (1917-1945) - Find A...” Findagrave.com, 2020, www.findagrave.com/memorial/41676603/daniel-clifton-runyon. Accessed 7 May 2025.

"Private First Class Daniel Clifton Runyon." Find a Grave, www.findagrave.com/memorial/12345678/daniel-clifton-runyon. Accessed 7 May 2025.

"38th Infantry Division in World War II." Military History Online, www.militaryhistoryonline.com/wwii/38thinfantrydivision. Accessed 7 May 2025.

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