In 1953 Richard Rung was attending law school and dating his future spouse, “Lonnie” of Burlington VT. In the summer of that year, a report of Aircraft accidents listed former F-100 Pilot Richard A. Rung as having scraped his left wingtip on the runway when he cobbed the throttle on his P-51D while “On the Go” from a low approach. He went on to pass the New York State Bar exam and to fly the F-86 and F-100.
Colonel Richard Rung’s military career consisted of 29 years as a USAF Fighter Pilot, Flight Commander, Flight Safety Evaluator, Professor of Aerospace Studies, Commandant of JROTC (Pompano Beach HS) with tours of duty with the Vermont ANG to Louisiana, Italy, Spain, Vietnam, New York, California, Illinois, and Florida. Col. Rung flew the P-51 Mustang, F-86 Sabre, F-100 Super Sabre, F-111, and T-33 T-bird aircraft while achieving his Command Pilot Wings.
Richard A. Rung, (Col. USAF Ret), 68, died of Multiple Myeloma at home on July 29, 1998, with his family at his side. Colonel Rung was born on December 16, 1929, in Rome, NY, to parents George S. and Ruth M. Rung. He graduated summa cum laude from St. Michael’s College in Burlington, VT, followed by a Juris Doctorate degree from SyracuseLaw School, and admittance to the NY Bar in 1961.
His military career consisted of 29 years as a USAF Fighter Pilot, Flight Commander, Flight Safety Evaluator, Professor of Aerospace Studies. His VTANG tours of duty included; Louisiana, Italy, Spain, Vietnam, New York, California, Illinois, and Florida. Col. Rung flew the P-51 Mustang, F-86 Sabre, F-100 Super Sabre, F-111, and T-33 T-bird aircraft while achieving his Command Pilot Wings.
His Awards and Decorations include the Legion of Merit; Distinguished Flying Cross; Meritorious Service Medal; Air Medal with 7 Devices; Air Force Commendation Medal; Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Device; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; Recipient Award Aerospace Safety Hall of Fame; Distinguished Service Award; American Veterans, and “Who’s Who in America”.
He was also a professor of aerospace studies and commandant of the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps in Pompano Beach, FL. “Col. Rung was a man of principle”, said Darcia Drago, the principal at Northeast High School.
Col. Rung is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Yolande; 2 sons; 1 daughter; his mother; a brother; and parents-in-law. He is interred at Arlington National Cemetery.
Here’s Dick’s 1963 Caterpillar Club story involving a T-33 in Houston, TX. According to wife Lonnie Rung, Dick was in the backseat and the other pilot delayed ejection trying the complex Air Start procedure. It was unsuccessful and they ejected at 500 feet! Afterward, Dick wore a sling for a few weeks and enjoyed his moment of fame and his Caterpillar pin.
The amazing Dick Rung also flew under a bridge between NY and VT in a P-51 while with the VT ANG. Lonnie and the bridge keeper confirmed the incident, and lamented that FAA radar could not identify the offending aircraft! Lonnie was impressed so the mission was successful.
