# Nels Running

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{{short description|US Major General}}
{{Infobox military person
| name = Ronald Nels Running
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1941}}
| death_date = 
| birth_place = [Frenchtown, Montana](/source/Frenchtown%2C_Montana)
| death_place = 
| burial_place = 
| burial_label = Place of burial
| image = Nels Running.jpg
| caption = Major General Nels Running, USAF
| nickname = 
| allegiance = [United States of America](/source/United_States_of_America)
| branch = United States Air Force
| service_years = 1964–1997
| rank = [Major general](/source/Major_general_(United_States))
| commands = 
| unit = [469th Tactical Fighter Squadron](/source/469th_Tactical_Fighter_Squadron), [357th Tactical Fighter Squadron](/source/357th_Tactical_Fighter_Squadron)
| battles = [Vietnam War](/source/Vietnam_War)
| awards = [Defense Distinguished Service Medal](/source/Defense_Distinguished_Service_Medal)<br/>[Defense Superior Service Medal](/source/Defense_Superior_Service_Medal)<br/>[Legion of Merit](/source/Legion_of_Merit)<br/>[Distinguished Flying Cross (7)](/source/Distinguished_Flying_Cross_(United_States)){{r|runningafbio}}
| other_work = 
| Nationality =
}}

'''Ronald Nels Running'''  (born 1941) is a retired [United States](/source/United_States) [Air Force](/source/United_States_Air_Force) [Major General](/source/Major_general_(United_States)) who has more than 3,800 flying hours in [F-105D](/source/Republic_F-105_Thunderchief), [F-5 A/E](/source/Northrop_F-5), [F-4 D/E](/source/McDonnell_Douglas_F-4_Phantom_II) and [F-16A](/source/General_Dynamics_F-16_Fighting_Falcon) aircraft.{{r|runningafbio}} This number of flying hours is significantly higher than the level of 3,000 flying hours that the Air Force requires to award its highest ranking of [Command Pilot](/source/U.S._Air_Force_aeronautical_rating).

==Early life and education==
Running is a native of [Frenchtown, Montana](/source/Frenchtown%2C_Montana). When he left his hometown in 1960 to attend the [United States Air Force Academy](/source/United_States_Air_Force_Academy), he had never boarded an airplane.{{r|korcomm}} He graduated in 1964 with a [Bachelor of Science](/source/Bachelor_of_Science) in military science.{{r|runningafbio}}

His later education includes time spent at the [Armed Forces Staff College](/source/Armed_Forces_Staff_College) in Norfolk, Virginia, and participation with other senior officials in courses offered by [Harvard University](/source/Harvard_University).{{r|runningafbio}}

==Military career==
Running flew 274 combat missions in the F-105 throughout his two [tours of duty](/source/Tour_of_duty) during the [Vietnam War](/source/Vietnam_War). He then became a member of the flight demonstration team [United States Air Force Thunderbirds](/source/United_States_Air_Force_Thunderbirds), flying the F-4E.{{r|alum64}} Later, he commanded the [Aggressor Squadron](/source/Aggressor_squadron) at [Clark Air Base](/source/Clark_Air_Base), which is in the [Philippines](/source/Philippines). At the time of his retirement from the Air Force on August 1, 1997, Running had achieved over 3,800 hours in flight time.{{r|runningafbio}}

He has been honored with many major awards including a [Distinguished Flying Cross](/source/Distinguished_Flying_Cross_(United_States)) with six oak leaf clusters, an [Air Medal](/source/Air_Medal) with 25 oak leaf clusters, and a [Vietnam Service Medal](/source/Vietnam_Service_Medal) with four bronze stars.{{r|runningafbio}}

==Later in life==
In 2003, Running was chosen to lead the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the [Korean War](/source/Korean_War), from its start in 1950 to its truce in 1953. One of its goals was to bring recognition to the veterans who were often neglected.{{r|korcomm}} Running said the events were commemorations, not celebrations, stating: "Commemorate really means remember. We're going to recognize, honor and remember the service provided during the Korean War."{{r|korcomm2}} Activities took place in both America and South Korea. He resides in [Arlington, Virginia](/source/Arlington%2C_Virginia).{{r|korcomm}}

==References==
<references>

<ref name=runningafbio>{{cite web|title=Major General Nels Running|url=http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=6991|publisher=United States Air Force|accessdate=July 23, 2011|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20121212202823/http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=6991|archivedate=2012-12-12|url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name=korcomm>{{cite web|title=Major General Nels Running Shepherd of the Commemoration Of the Korean War|url=http://www.veteransadvantage.com/cms/content/major-general-nels-running|last=Edelman|first=Bernard|publisher=Veterans Advantage|accessdate=July 23, 2011}}</ref>
<ref name=korcomm2>{{cite web|title=America Remembers Service, Sacrifices of Korean War Vets|url=http://www.defense.gov/specials/koreanwar/warvets.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030520031010/http://www.defense.gov/specials/koreanwar/warvets.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 20, 2003|last=Garamone
|first=Jim|publisher=American Forces Press Service|accessdate=July 23, 2011}}</ref>
<ref name=alum64>{{cite web|title=Al's History|url=http://classof1964usafa.org/Public/McArtor_Trusten/history.htm|last=McArtor
|first=Al|publisher=United States Air Force Academy Class of 1964|accessdate=July 23, 2011}}</ref>

</references>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Running, Nels}}
Category:1941 births
Category:Living people
Category:People from Missoula County, Montana
Category:United States Air Force Academy alumni
Category:United States Air Force generals
Category:United States Air Force personnel of the Vietnam War
Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit
Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
Category:Recipients of the Air Medal
Category:Recipients of the Defense Superior Service Medal
Category:Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Nels Running](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nels_Running) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nels_Running?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.