Colonel Tom Cannava (retired)
A Life Dedicated to Military Service
Tom Cannava graduated from Clermont Northeastern High School in 1964. He went on to The Ohio State University, earning a degree in Animal Sciences and participating in the ROTC program. Upon graduation, Tom was commissioned as an officer and entered active duty in the United States Army. Tom became an expert in Field Artillery holding numerous positions and leading varying groups of soldiers. Tom led soldiers in Vietnam, Germany, and the United States. He retired from military service in 1994 after serving as commander of Fort Chaffee in Arkansas.
Tom’s distinguished military career includes being awarded multiple medals including the Silver Star, Defense Superior Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Vietnam Cross with Bronze Star.
After retiring from the Army, Tom sold real estate in Fort Smith, Arkansas. While there he continued his life of service as a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the local County Grievance Committee.
Inducted in 2016