[7] Around the early 1940s Cannon began working on a construction crew at Camp Pickett, where he dug ditches and served as a water boy.
[7] When he turned seventeen Cannon had his mother sign enlistment papers so he could join the United States Navy and serve during World War II.
While in the Navy Cannon learned Morse code, which enabled him to serve as a signalman - a position that was not frequently held by black American soldiers during that time period.
[9] This put a large financial strain on the family's finances and in 1995 a local Richmond developer began a benefit fund to raise money to provide the Cannons with a new home and help with Princetta's medical care.
[13] Typical recipients of Cannon's philanthropy were people who had been featured in the news for having experienced hardship or for performing acts of heroism, generosity, or nobility.