John L. Canley

John Canley
Canley in October 2018
Born	(1938-02-01) February 1, 1938 (age 83) Caledonia, Arkansas
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1953–1981
Rank	Sergeant major
Unit	1st Battalion, 1st Marines
Battles/wars	Vietnam War Con Thien Battle of Huế
Awards	Medal of Honor Bronze Star Medal with "V" device Purple Heart

John L. Canley (born February 1, 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]

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 January 31, 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°27′58″N 107°35′31″E / 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 October 23, 1981.^[3]

Medal of Honor announced[]

Representative Julia Brownley sponsored a private 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, October 17, 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

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)

• Canley has earned 7 Service stripes.

See also[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to John Canley.

• List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War

References[]

External links[]

• Medal of Honor ceremony