Harry G. Canham

COL. HARRY G. CANHAM, USAF (RET.) claimed his heavenly wings Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015. Harry was born Sept. 3, 1920 in Wataga, Knox County, Ill. to parents Albert and Opal Gleason Canham. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Ruth; brother, Morris "Jim"; his first wife, Betty Woolsey Canham and his son, Marc Alan Canham. Col. Canham lived a life of service to God, his country, his family and friends. While working in a coal mine to earn enough money to attend college, Harry joined the Army Air Corps in 1942, as a response to the attack on Pearl Harbor. Initially assigned to Glider School and earning the rank of Staff Sgt., Harry entered the Aviation Cadet Flying Program. He flew the Martin B-26 and was stationed in North Africa. Harry was recalled to active duty in 1951 following five years in the active reserves and stationed at Barksdale AFB in the 3rd Strategic Support System Squadron flying the C-124, at that time the largest aircraft in the USAF. During the 1950's and 1960's Harry was given a number of important assignments including the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Va.; Air-South of NATO Command, Naples, Italy; and the Tactical Air Command (TAC) at Langley AFB, Va. After attending C-130 school, Harry was sent to Southeast Asia in 1967, serving two tours of duty. He spent five months in the USAF Hospital at Scott AFB in Illinois after a serious injury that same year. Harry returned to Vietnam to fly 86 more missions, commenting "To protect my country, I would go to war as long as I live." During the Vietnam War Harry was promoted to Colonel and was given command of the AC-130 gunships. In 1970, Col. Canham was assigned as Wing Director of Operations for the 4442 Combat Crew Training at the Little Rock AFB. In 1971, Harry was named Department Commander for Aircraft Gunships and Wing Department Commander for Special Operations, 8th TAC Fighter Wing. Col. Canham retired from the Air Force as Director of Airlift Headquarters TAC at Langley AFB , with 32 years of service and 22,000 hours of flying military operations during WWII, Korea, NATO, Vietnam, and in peacetime. Among his many military honors and achievements, Harry was awarded five Distinguished Flying Crosses, 32 flying medals, six Meritorious Service Medals and two National Defense Medals. He also received the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, South Vietnam's highest award, for saving the lives of South Vietnamese troops and the residents of a community in Central Cambodia who were surrounded by attacking North Vietnamese forces. Harry was a man of few words but his words were impactful. His life even more so. He was a man of honor, duty and integrity. He was a true American Hero; a kind hearted gentle man, one who sacrificed much for the great country, the United States of America, he so dearly loved, honored and served. Harry was an intelligent, professional, humble man. You would never have known he was a decorated veteran of war and recipient of 5 Distinguished Flying Cross awards. To Harry, he was just a man that did his job. If you were lucky enough to be Harry's friend, you were lucky enough. He was giant in stature and gentle in spirit. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife, Carlyn Lilly Canham; son, Maj. Michael Harry Canham, USAF (ret.) and daughter-in-law, Gwen; daughter-in-law, Mary Canham; devoted friend and caregiver Carolyn Johnson; granddaughters Dr. Michelle Canham Sergel and Marcy Canham; grandson Matthew Canham; great-grandchildren Samantha and Alex Sergel; step-sons Dr. Lee Hinson (Marsha) and Dr. Wallace Hinson (Jennifer) and many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren as well as friends all over the world. Interment will be held at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at the Little Rock National Cemetery, 2523 Springer Blvd. A Memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. following the interment service at the Jacksonville First United Methodist Church, 308 W. Main, Jacksonville. A reception will follow at the Jacksonville Museum of Military History , N. Hospital Circle (100 Veterans Circle) in Jacksonville. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials honoring Harry be made to the Jacksonville First United Methodist Church, 308 W. Main, Jacksonville, Ark. 72076. Please share your memories of Harry with his family at www.griffinleggettresthills.com.