Col. Harry Canham’s story is a chronological air force tree branches he had built were records that represented the spirit and ideals of the heart of a young man making a decision back in December 1941. Just out of high school working in the Illinois coal mine by day and going to school at night to further his education. After the Japanese surprise attack on the United States Naval base Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. It was clear to Harry and his two friends their country needed them.
Upon Harry’s flight school graduation 5 December 1943, a defining time, for he was fulfilling his young dream to fly. He had received his wings and commissioned second lieutenant. Young men as Harry were idealistic and lived up to respecting the training he received. Harry was molded by the United States Air Corps and the United States Air Force and has a great respect for the uniform.
In diverse and numerous aircraft and on multiple missions, Harry would go out, strap in, and take off to protect and defend, flying the skies on dangerous top secret and combat missions. He flew missions where his exploits took place away from the spotlight of a pivotal time while honorably serving his country as Air Force commander, flight instructor, and operations officer of the Strategic Air Squadron. The professional competence, aerial skill, and Harry’s devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the honors he was awarded.
Col. Canham made it home, but not unscratched. In Vietnam, he was seriously injured and air lifted to a hospital in Vietnam and flown back stateside to United States Air Force Hospital at Scott Air Force Base in St. Claire County Illinois, where he spent close to five months. For Harry, it never entered his mind to quit and returned to fly eighty-six more missions.
In 1961, Harry was sent to attend Armed Forces Staff College, a school with emphasis on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) for eight months. After graduation, Harry received orders for assignment to Naples, Italy, Air-South of NATO Command. The initial post for AFSOUTH consisted of land, sea, and air headquarters were all in Italy. Harry knows about military preparedness, global strategy, and combined operations in the coalition war against fascism waged in air over several operations during World War II, Korea, NATO, two tours of Vietnam, and during peacetime. He displayed moral as well as physical courage throughout those many miles.
Harry experienced flak in World War II, but it was worse in Vietnam. When the flak hits an airplane it can be as personal as a bayonet. Harry says, “There were always targets to defend in Vietnam.
In Vietnam, while flying around the sparsely populated region of rugged mountain, triple canopy jungle, and dense primeval rain forest made it challenging. There was a nonstop replacement system of natural and man-made camouflage along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The trail was a logistic system that ran from North Vietnam to South Vietnam through neighboring kingdom of Laos and Cambodia. The trail undeniably laid at the center of the war with the North Vietnamese transportation tons of supplies daily over the trail to the south. The trail exited for centuries as primitive footpaths located mostly in South Laos and the United States could no block the ground forces, because the countries the trail passes through was officially neutral. Harry says the Vietcong were after you all the time. Of course, we did a lot of damage too.
Harry flew forty-three different aircraft doing his military time. He had over 18 AC-130 gunships in Vietnam at one time and over six thousand people working. He lost one gunship and another the day he left. He had trained all the crewmen. It was hard when you know them but even harder as commander to notify the family. Being a father of two sons and one of them a United States Air Force pilot didn’t make it any easier.
In the military, there would be no haven of security. Two of Harry’s classmates were killed in combat, and one was captured and died in captivity. One of them had volunteered along with Harry. The other friend Lawrence Giddings would later die of cancer. Col. Harry Canham is a humble person… burning with patriotic zeal. Harry will always be bound to his code of conduct oath with the specific pilgrimage of life’s course he got to serve.
Harry earned, plus five Distinguished Flying Crosses, thirty-two flying medals, six Meritorious Service Medals, and two National Defense Service Medals flying the night skies knowing he may be facing death in the face. Whenever there was any Distinguished Flying Crosses given on Harry’s aircraft, his rule was that if anyone was going to get one they all get one. It was not an air force requirement, but a rule Harry stuck by on his aircraft.
For Harry, there was meaning in his job; he loved flying. He didn’t fly for worldwide recognition but to fly, fight, and to obey the laws of war. He did his job that he volunteered to do and never flinched from an assignment, and never once put his personal safety upfront of completing a mission. His top secret missions took away from any operational publicity because of their nature. He says, “I have fond memories, supporting my commander in chief, the president and completing all jobs assigned me, moving weapons, standing alert and defending peace, and taking my turn going to war and doing my best to see that we would win whatever the cost.
Col. Harry Canham retired having rendered a magnificent service to country. With great vigor, loyalty, and courage, Harry flew the skies defending. His outstanding achievement was his brilliant tool skills, contributing immeasurably to the defeat of enemies. Because of his dedication, our hold on the planet was increased. He valued excellence. He says, “Would I go to war to protect my country? You bet! I will go as long as I live.