Mr. Robert C. Dunning, Sr. passed away on Friday, January 14, 2011. He was 89 years old. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Myra Boykin Dunning, and his son Robbie and daughter-in-law Susan Sheppard Dunning. Mr. Dunning began his journey through life on September 3, 1921 in Allegan County, Michigan where he excelled in athletics and became an Eagle Scout before leaving Michigan to join the U.S. Army on October 10, 1942. Mr. Dunning served with the 3rd Corp Command HQ Company in Fort McPherson, Georgia. He was transferred to parachute school where he completed his qualifying jumps and became a wing jumper. His unit was sent to Toccoa, Georgia to extend its training in the 101st Airborne as documented in the movie "Band of Brothers," then overseas where he joined HQ Co., 3rd Battalion, 506th as an 81mm mortarman in Ramsburg, England. Mr. Dunning made the Normandy jump in the Carentan Peninsula and Holland jump where he was wounded on September 2, 1944 on Hell's Highway outside Veckel, Holland. After his recovery, he rejoined the 506th at Camp Mourmelon, France. His unit was then deployed into the Battle of the Bulge and into Bastogne, Belgium. His awards include: Bronze Star Medal with OLC, Purple Heart, EAME with one Silver Star, Combat Infantry Badge, Army Occupational Medal with German Clasp, French Croix de Guerre, Belgium Fourragere, Netherlands Orange Lanyard, Presidential Unit Citation with OLC, Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Ribbon with WWII victory, and Outstanding Mortarman Award.

Mr. Dunning married Myra in 1946. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science degree and in 1954 with a Master of Education degree. He taught science and math, then became an elementary school principal in the Atlanta area. He retired after 31 years in education. Since his retirement, Mr. Dunning lived at Lake Hartwell, Georgia and traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe He became associated with the Return to Holland Group and made his last jump in 1994 at the age of 73 as part of the 50th anniversary of the Normandy invasion. Mr. Dunning's impressionable manner and lifestyle has impacted many, and he will always remain on the wings of eagles.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, January 18 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell with Dr. R. Allen Stewart officiating. Burial will be in the Heritage Memorial Gardens in Westminster SC.

The body is at the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell, where the family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday night.