USS Runels (DE-793/APD-85) was a Buckley-class destroyer escort of the United States Navy, named in honor of Ensign Donald S. Runels (1904–1942), who was killed when his ship, USS Northampton (CA-26) was torpedoed and sunk during the Battle of Tassafaronga on 30 November 1942. Runels was laid down on 7 June 1943 by the Consolidated Steel Corp., Orange, Texas; launched on 4 September 1943; sponsored by Mrs. D. S. Runels, widow of Ensign Runels; and commissioned on 3 January 1944, Lieutenant Commander H. G. Claudius in command. Runels earned one battle star for World War II service.