Ronald Runyan King

The database page for Ronald Runyan King

16 Jan 2005 REMEMBERED He received the Silver Star. I'd like to know more. From a friend of his son, Robert King. E-Mail will be forwarded by the Webmaster@VirtualWall.org

Notes from The Virtual Wall Very little is known regarding the circumstances of Ronald King's loss. Hobson's Vietnam Air Losses contains a brief entry: "A Thunderchief crashed in the Gulf of Tonkin when it ran out of fuel returning from a mission. The pilot was killed in the accident." Jim Baugher's compilation of USAF aircraft procurements and dispositions contains an even briefer note, "[F-105D 59-]1824 shot down 10/3/1967. Pilot KIA.", but one with perhaps less accuracy. With this exception, available records indicate it was not a hostile loss but rather an operational loss. Even his squadron assignment is somewhat uncertain; Hobson places him with the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, a component of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing at Takhli RTAFB, Thailand, as does the 355th TFW Honor Role. On Monday, December 27, 1999, Howard Plunkett (plunkett-abq@worldnet.att.net) placed the following on thewall-usa.com: "Maj Ronald King was the pilot of an F-105D that caught fire on 3 October 1967 enroute to a target in North Vietnam. After ejecting, Maj King died from becoming entangled in his parachute when he landed in water with waves 20 feet high. He was a member of the 333 TFS from Takhli RTAB, Thailand." The Air Force's Vietnam casualty list says he was assigned to the 333rd TFS, a different squadron within the 355th TFW. What is beyond dispute is that then-Major Ronald King, a veteran of 22 years' service and two wars, departed Takhli RTAFB on 03 Oct 1967 in F-105D serial 59-01824, did not return, and has not been recovered. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel after his loss.

The point-of-contact for this memorial is a friend of his son, Robert King. E-Mail may be forwarded via the Webmaster@VirtualWall.org 16 Jan 2005

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Last updated 02/28/2005