Donald Steven Runels was born 8 July 1904 at Santa Maria, California, enlisted in the United States Navy on 19 March 1926; was appointed machinist 14 September 1938; warranted machinist (to rank from 10 September 1938) on 25 November 1939; and commissioned ensign on 23 June 1942. Ensign Runels was killed when his ship, Northampton (CA-26) was torpedoed and sunk during the Battle of Tassafaronga 30 November 1942.