Canup, William D. – KIA

CAPT William D. Canup was a U.S. Air Force pilot assigned to the 615th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 35th Tactical Fighter Wing, stationed at Phan Rang Air Base in Ninh Thuan Province, RVN. On April 6, 1968, CAPT Canup was on a normal flight schedule when he traded places with another pilot who was assigned to fly the North American F-100D Super Sabre (#55-2911) that was generally flown by Canup.

He flew the Super Sabre on what was regarded as a routine mission when the jet was brought down by a “Golden BB,” a single round which caused it to crash near highway QL-19, thirteen miles northwest of An Khe in Binh Dinh Province, RVN. It was speculated that the bullet may have incapacitated Canup as he went down with the ship, canopy still intact and no ejection executed.

Because of the tactical situation on the ground, his remains were not recovered until the following day when they were brought back to Phan Rang. A few days later, a memorial service was performed at the chapel on base by a Baptist chaplain whom Canup had been friendly with.

Source: [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Richard Buickerood (September 2019)]