29 September 1954 – The North American F-100 Super Sabre entered service with the United States Air Force‘s 479th Fighter Wing. Initially, the new wing maintained tactical proficiency with the World War II-era F-51Ds inherited from the Air National Guard, then in February 1953 upgrading to the North American F-86H Sabre jet aircraft. The wing
Capt Kanaar enlisted in the Air Force and entered via Reserves and was serving with the 308th TFS/3rd TFW out of Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam.
On January 9, 1966, Kunaar was attacking a gun position north of Bien Hoa AB when his F-100 #56-3166 was hit by a 12.7mm gun and burst into flame. Capt Kanaar pulled off and turned towards a safe area but his ejection was unsuccessful.
1Lt J.D. Davies II who was also in the aircraft ejected and was recovered by a USAF Helicopter. Lt Davies suffered major injuries.
Louis is buried at Restlawn Cemetery in Muskegon, MI, and is honored on the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington DC. Name inscribed at VVM Wall, Panel 04e, Line 60.
