John L. Canley

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

John Lee Canley (December 20, 1937 – May 11, 2022) was a 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 born in Caledonia, Arkansas, on December 20, 1937.

His father was employed at a chemical plant; his mother worked as a restaurant manager.

Canley was raised in nearby El Dorado.

In 1953, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps from Little Rock, Arkansas.

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 Batcheller, was wounded.

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°W).

"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.

Canley was awarded the Navy Cross in 1970.

He retired in 1981.

Sergeant Major Canley retired from the Marine Corps on October 23, 1981.

Representative Julia Brownley sponsored a private bill in Congress for Canley's Navy Cross to be upgraded to the Medal of Honor.

On December 21, 2017, the House of Representatives waived the five year time limit for the award of the Medal of Honor, and the Senate later took similar action.

Canley was originally awarded the Navy Cross but this was upgraded to the Medal of Honor, which was presented on October 17, 2018.

The Expeditionary Sea Base USS John L. Canley (ESB-6) is named for him.

Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis recommended the upgrade to President Donald Trump, who approved the award in July 2018.

On Wednesday, October 17, 2018, Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Major John L. Canley, United States Marine Corps (Retired), for conspicuous gallantry.

On June 26, 2022, five weeks after Canley's death, the Expeditionary Sea Base USS John L. Canley (ESB-6) was christened at a shipyard in San Diego.

His daughter Patricia Sargent performed the christening of the 784 feet ship.

Canley was married to Viktoria Fenech.

Together, they had one child (Patricia), as well as a stepson (David) from Fenech's previous relationship.

They eventually divorced.

He also had two children with Toyo Adaniya Russeau: Ricky and Yukari.

After retiring from the Marine Corps, Canley resided in Oxnard, California.

Canley died on May 11, 2022, at his daughter's home in Bend, Oregon.

He was 84, and suffered from cancer prior to his death.