An Airman's Story: Staff Sergeant Damon Valentine Keaw Kanuha

 

Staff Sergeant Damon Valentine Keaw Kanuha was born in Maui, Hawaii, on November 28, 1962. He moved with his family to San Diego as a child and graduated from Crawford High School, where he played football.  

He enlisted in the US Air Force in 1981. Staff Sergeant Damon Valentine Keaw Kanuha trained as a flight engineer and was assigned to the 16th Special Operations Squadron.  

Staff Sergeant Damon Kanuha deployed to Saudi Arabia in September 1990 in response to Desert Storm/Desert Shiel and the Gulf War.

On January 31, 1991, Staff Sergeant Damon Valentine Kew Kanuha died during his service while aboard Spirit 03, an AC 130H Spectre Gunship, which was providing cover fire for US Marine troops during the Battle of Khafji. The plane was hit by a surface-to-air missle and crashed into the Persian Gulf.  

The plane was eventually recovered in March 1991, and Staff Sergeant Damn Valentine Keaw Kanuha was repatriated to the US. His appropriated remains rest at the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California.

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a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia. 

In addition to the travel writings at www.takethebackroads.com, you can also read her book reviews at www.riteoffancy.com and US military biographies at www.everydaypatriot.com

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