John L. Canley

John L. Canley (born 1 February 1938) is a retired United States Marine and a recipient of the United States military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in January/February 1968 during the Battle of Huế. At the time of this action Canley was a gunnery sergeant with Company A, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines. Canley was originally awarded the Navy Cross but this was upgraded to the Medal of Honor, which was presented on 17 October 2018.[1]

John Canley
Canley in October 2018
Born (1938-02-01) February 1, 1938
Caledonia, Arkansas
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Marine Corps
Years of service1953–1981
RankSergeant major
Unit1st Battalion, 1st Marines
Battles/warsVietnam War
AwardsMedal of Honor
Bronze Star Medal with "V" device
Purple Heart

Early life

Canley was born in Caledonia, Arkansas.[2] In 1953, Canley enlisted in the United States Marine Corps from Little Rock, Arkansas and retired in 1981. He lives in Oxnard, California.[3][4]

Military career

On the morning of 31 January 1968, Company A, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines was loaded onto trucks and sent to reinforce United States and South Vietnamese forces under siege in Huế. As the convoy approached the southern suburbs of the city, they began to come under increased sniper fire. In one village, the troops dismounted and cleared the houses on either side of the main street before proceeding. The Marine convoy stopped several times to eliminate resistance in heavy house-to-house and street-to-street fighting before proceeding again. During this fighting the Company commander, Captain Gordon Batchellor was wounded and Gunnery Sergeant Canley assumed command of the company and he and Sergeant Alfredo Cantu Gonzalez led the Marines in the defense of the convoy, actions for which Gonzalez would later be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. At about 15:15 after bloody fighting the Marines managed to make their way toward the besieged Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV) compound (16.466°N 107.592°E / 16.466; 107.592).[5] Canley was awarded the Navy Cross.

Sergeant Major Canley retired from the Marine Corps on 23 October 1981.[3]

Medal of Honor announced

Representative Julia Brownley sponsored a bill in Congress for Canley's Navy Cross to be upgraded to the Medal of Honor. On 21 December 2017 the House of Representatives waived the 5 year time limit for the award of the Medal of Honor and the Senate later took similar action. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis recommended the upgrade to President Donald Trump, who approved the award in July 2018.[1][6] On Wednesday, 17 October 2018, President Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Major John L. Canley, United States Marine Corps (Retired), for conspicuous gallantry.[3]

Medal of Honor citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded in the name of Congress the Medal of Honor to

GUNNERY SERGEANT
JOHN CANLEY
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy while serving as Company Gunnery Sergeant, Company A, First Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division from 31 January to 6 February 1968, in the Republic of Vietnam. Company A fought off multiple vicious attacks as it rapidly moved along the highway toward Hue City to relieve friendly forces that were surrounded by enemy forces. Despite being wounded in these engagements, Gunnery Sergeant Canley repeatedly rushed across fire-swept terrain to carry his wounded Marines to safety. After his commanding officer was severely wounded, Gunnery Sergeant Canley took command and led the company into Hue City. At Hue City, caught in deadly crossfire from enemy machine gun positions, he set up a base of fire and maneuvered with a platoon in a flanking attack that eliminated several enemy positions. Retaining command of the company for three days, he led attacks against multiple enemy fortified positions while routinely braving enemy fire to carry wounded Marines to safety. On 4 February, he led a group of Marines into an enemy-occupied building in Hue City. He moved into the open to draw fire, located the enemy, eliminated the threat, and expanded the company’s hold on the building room by room. Gunnery Sergeant Canley then gained position above the enemy strongpoint and dropped in a large satchel charge that forced the enemy to withdraw. On 6 February, during a fierce firefight at a hospital compound, Gunnery Sergeant Canley twice scaled a wall in full view of the enemy to carry wounded Marines to safety. By his undaunted courage, selfless sacrifice, and unwavering devotion to duty, Gunnery Sergeant Canley reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Awards and decorations
1st row Medal of Honor
2nd row Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device Purple Heart Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device Combat Action Ribbon
3rd row Navy Presidential Unit Citation with three bronze service stars Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with seven service stars Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal with service star National Defense Service Medal with service star
4th row Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Vietnam Service Medal with nine service stars Korea Defense Service Medal Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with two service stars
5th row Vietnam Gallantry Cross with two Silver Stars Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation United Nations Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal
Badges Rifle expert marksmanship badge (11 awards) Pistol expert marksmanship badge (16 awards)
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See also

References
  1. Harkins, Gina (19 July 2018). "Trump to Award Medal of Honor to Marine for Hue City Heroism". military.com. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  2. SUPERVILLE, DARLENE. "Retired Marine receives Medal of Honor for Vietnam actions". Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  3. "Medal of Honor: Sgt. Maj. John Canley". The Official United States Marine Corps Public Website. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  4. "Vietnam vet from Arkansas awarded Medal of Honor for heroism". 18 October 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  5. Shulimson, Jack; LtCol. Leonard Blasiol; Charles R. Smith; Capt. David A. Dawson (1997). U.S. Marines in Vietnam: 1968, the Defining Year. History and Museums Division, USMC. pp. 171–3. ISBN 0-16-049125-8.
  6. "Marine veteran to receive Medal of Honor 50 years after his actions in Vietnam". 25 September 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
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