STEVE CANNING • VIETNAM WAR
Steve Canning, 77
Gloucester, MA
Born: 1/17/48
Born/Raised: Gloucester
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Service: US Army
21st Signal Group, 1st Signal Brigade
Nha Trang, Vietnam
Dates of Service: 1968-1971, 1975-81 US Army Reserves
When Steve Canning received his draft notice, he opted to enlist which allowed him to delay his entry into the Army until after he’d finished his studies at Wentworth Institute of Technology. The GHS Class of ’65 graduate and Cherry St. resident studied study electronics which set him up for a role as microwave radio repair technician with the 21st Signal Group. He spent his time in Vietnam primarily in the central highlands of II-Corp.
He finished out his hitch at Ft. Hood, TX before heading home to Gloucester. While he completed his enlistment in 1971, Steve returned to serve in the US Army Active Reserves from 1975 until 1981 finishing as a Staff Sergeant.
In early 1972, hanging out in the Dunkin Donuts parking lot in downtown Gloucester with his best friend David Lloyd, he was introduced to Susan Williams. The couple dated for a few months and married in November 1972. They have two sons, David and Corey. Steve had another son, Shayne, from a prior relationship. The couple will be celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary last November. They have five grandchildren.
His studies at Wentworth translated into a career in electronic engineering at Varian where he worked for more than 30 years before retiring in 2013.