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John Canley
John L. Canley.jpg
Canley in 2018
Born (1937-12-20)December 20, 1937
Caledonia, Arkansas, U.S.
Died May 11, 2022(2022-05-11) (aged 84)
Bend, Oregon, U.S.
Buried
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Marine Corps
Years of service 1953–1981
Rank Sergeant major
Unit 1st Battalion, 1st Marines
Battles/wars
Awards Medal of Honor
Bronze Star Medal with "V" device
Purple Heart

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 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.

Early life

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. He retired in 1981.

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 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°27′58″N 107°35′31″E / 16.466°N 107.592°E / 16.466; 107.592). Canley was awarded the Navy Cross in 1970.

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

Medal of Honor

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. 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.

President Donald J. Trump Presents the Medal of Honor (30466517397)
President Trump presenting the Medal of Honor to Canley

USS John L. Canley

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-foot (239 m) ship.

Personal life

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.

Awards and decorations

Medal of Honor ribbon.svg
V
V
Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svgBronze-service-star-3d-vector.svgBronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svgSilver-service-star-3d.svgBronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svgBronze-service-star-3d-vector.svgSilver-service-star-3d.svgBronze-service-star-3d-vector.svgBronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg Korea Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svgBronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg
Award-star-silver-3d.pngAward-star-silver-3d.png
USMC Rifle Expert badge.png USMC Pistol Expert badge.png
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 four bronze service stars Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with seven service stars Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal with two service stars National Defense Service Medal with two service stars
4th row Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Vietnam Service Medal with nine service stars Korea Defense Service Medal Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with three 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)

See also

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