US Army First Lieutenant John M. Runkle, age 27 from West Salem, Ohio, was killed in Afghanistan on 26th May 2011 when his unit was struck by an improvised explosive device in Kandahar province, Afghanistan

Lt. Runkle served with the 4th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

His awards and decorations include: Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Air Assault Badge; Parachutist Badge; Pathfinder Badge and Ranger Tab.

LT Runkle is survived by his father, John Runkle of Woster, Ohio and mother, Christine Runkle of Salem, Ohio.

Lt. Runkle had been in the Army prior to attending West Point. He had been deployed to Iraq for 10 months before starting the class of 2009. He graduated in the top 10 percent of his class.

Proceeds from the 1LT John M. Runkle bracelet will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project in his memory.