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Today in History – January 29, 1991 – Eagle shoots down Iraqi MiG-23’s

29 January 1991 – An American F-15C shot down an IRAF MiG-23 fleeing to Iran with an AIM-7 missile. “During the Air War over Iraq, the mighty Eagle proved to be a very robust airframe, bringing back its pilots after suffering serious damages. After the first ten days of the first Gulf Air War, to

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Canup, William D. – KIA

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  • Canup, William D. – KIA

William David Canup - KIA

Preferred Name: William
Date of Birth: May 23, 1941
Highest Military Grade: 0-3 – Captain
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
Headed West Date: April 6, 1968
Biography
Pilot Information

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)]

Units Assigned

  •  615th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 35th Tactical Fighter Wing, Phan Rang AB, Vietnam (F-100)

Awards & Decorations

Air Medal
Air Medal
Purple Heart
Purple Heart
National Defense Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Presidential Unit Citation
Air Force Presidential Unit Citation
Vietnam Cross Of Gallantry
Vietnam Gallantry Cross
AF Good Conduct Medal
Air Force Good Conduct Medal
US Air Force Pilot Badge
Air Force Aviation Badge

Flight Info

F-100

Military & Civilian Education

Civilian Education:

  • 1959 Broad Ripple High School
  • Engineering, University of Evansville

Wall of Honor Location

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The mission of the Super Sabre Society is to preserve the history of the F-100 Super Sabre and the men who flew the aircraft.

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