David Spencer Kincanon
Second Lieutenant David S. “Spence” Kincanon was a Marine pilot with VMO-4.
He was reported missing after the loss of USS Bismarck Sea during the Iwo Jima campaign, 21 February 1945.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-29024
Current Status
Remains not recovered
Pursuit Category
Based on circumstances of loss, this individual is considered permanently non-recoverable.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
January 5, 1924
in Spring City, TN
Parents*
Roscoe Franklin Kincannon (d. 1931)
Nell A. (Richards) Kincannon
Education
Spring City High School (1941)
Occupation & Employer
Student
* Note: The family surname is usually spelled “Kincannon.” Military and service records use the single-N spelling.
Service Life
Entered Service
June 30, 1942 (enlisted)
September 10, 1943 (commissioned)
Home Of Record
Spring City, TN
Next Of Kin
Wife, Mrs. Ova Sue (Huffine) Kincanon
Military Specialty
Pilot
Individual Decorations
Air Medal (Marianas)
Purple Heart (Iwo Jima)
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
David “Spence” Kincanon earned his Marine commission and aviator wings at Naval Air Station Pensacola in 1943. As a pilot with Marine Observation Squadron 4 (VMO-4), he flew unarmed OY-1 “Grasshopper” spotter planes over enemy territory, usually carrying an artillery spotter. Kincanon was quite talented at this dangerous work, and received the Air Medal for service in the Saipan and Tinian campaigns.
On 12 February 1945, Kincanon and 2Lt. John F. Sutkus departed from the squadron’s advance base at Guam and landed aboard the escort carrier USS Bismarck Sea (CVE-95). They were instructed to support the Fourth Marine Division by flying tactical observers over Iwo Jima; the carrier would be their home until the infantry could seize an airfield ashore. Bismarck Sea arrived in the zone of operations four days later and began launching combat missions. Kincanon and Sutkus must have had a busy few days, especially after the amphibious landings on 19 February.
Just before sunset on 21 February, a strike force of kamikazes attacked the carrier USS Saratoga. Bismarck Sea scrambled her own fighters and took aboard aircraft from other carriers, overcrowding her flight deck and hangars. A second kamikaze group attacked the escort carriers. Two planes slammed into Bismarck Sea in quick succession. Aviation fuel and munitions exploded, and within fifteen minutes the order was given to abandon ship. Bismarck Sea sank that evening, taking 318 of her crew to their deaths.
Second Lieutenant Sutkus escaped the sinking carrier and eventually returned to duty. David Kincanon, however, went down with the ship.
Burial Information or Disposition
Lieutenant Kincanon’s remains were lost at sea. In keeping with Navy tradition, the wreck of the Bismarck Sea is considered his final resting place.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of wife, Mrs. Ova Kincanon
Location Of Loss
The Bismarck Sea sank at this approximate location, 44 miles from Iwo Jima
