A unique ceremony will take place in Eureka, California, as Roy Cantu and his father, Clemente Cantu, are set to be honored for their distinguished military service on December 1, 2023. This marks a first for the monthly Humboldt Heroes celebrations, recognizing a father-son duo who both served in the armed forces.
Clemente Cantu’s Military Journey
Clemente Cantu, affectionately known as Clem, was born in *Casper, Wyoming*, in February 1929. His family relocated to *Alturas* during his teenage years. In 1948, faced with limited opportunities, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in Italy as part of the occupational forces after World War II. He was a member of an infantry and band unit, showcasing his musical talent as a trumpet player.
In 1949, Clemente married Maria in *Trieste, Italy*, and returned to the United States in 1952 after his honorable discharge. The family settled in *Humboldt County* in 1973 after moving from *Redding*. Clem took on the role of manager and shop maintenance supervisor for the National Guard, eventually retiring in 1989 after a commendable 41 years of service.
Clem Cantu has been active in the community, having been a member of the *Red Bluff Elks Lodge #1250* and serving as Post Commander at the *Eureka VFW Post 1872*. He also held the position of president at the *Humboldt Amateur Radio Club*. Now, at 94, Clem expresses his contentment in living in Humboldt County, valuing the small-town atmosphere.
Roy Cantu’s Naval Career
Born in Italy in October 1950, Roy Cantu followed in his father’s footsteps by enlisting in the U.S. Navy on *Veterans’ Day*, November 11, 1968. Motivated by a desire for technical education and military service, he served aboard three nuclear ballistic missile submarines, completing 13 patrols across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans as a sonar/electronics technician.
Roy’s career progressed as he took on roles such as quality assurance supervisor/auditor for *Submarine Squadron 7* in *Pearl Harbor, Hawaii*. After completing instructor training, he became a master training specialist, teaching at the *Fleet Submarine Warfare Center* in *San Diego*. He retired as a chief petty officer in 1990 after 21 years of dedicated service.
Following his military career, Roy worked as an acoustic test technician for *International Transducer Corporation* in *Santa Barbara*. He moved to Eureka in 1994, where he married Lori. The couple recently celebrated their 40th anniversary in October. In Eureka, Roy also pursued photography and web design, retiring in 2012. He cherishes life in Eureka, appreciating the close-knit community and the area’s natural beauty.
The Humboldt Heroes celebration will take place at noon on Friday, December 1, 2023, inside the lobby of the *Eureka Inn*, located at 518 Seventh Street, Eureka. This monthly event honors local veterans, and community members are encouraged to nominate deserving individuals for future recognition. Those interested in nominating a “Humboldt Hero” or supporting the program can contact State Farm insurance agent Scott Hammond at 707-444-2504.
