CMDR. Ben Cantu
COMMANDING OFFICER, USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124)
09 April 2024
A 2004 graduate of the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program from Auburn University, Commander Cantu earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. He is originally from Tennessee. A career surface warfare officer, Commander Cantu's shipboard assignments include: USS Mason (DDG 87) as Gunnery Officer and Auxiliaries Officer, HSV 2 SWIFT (Blue Crew) as Operations Officer, and both USS Gridley (DDG 101) and USS Princeton (CG 59) as Operations Officer. Ashore, he served as Surface Warfare Junior Officer Assignment and Distribution Officer at Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tennessee and Action Officer on the OPNAV Staff for the Director, Military Personnel Plans and Policy (N13) in Arlington, Virginia. Most recently, he served as Executive Officer, USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55). His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and various unit, campaign, and service awards.