By Katie Lange, Department of Defense
USA – -(AmmoLand.com)- It’s been 50 years since John L. Canley, then a Marine Corps gunnery sergeant, led his company in a brutal weeklong fight against North Vietnamese troops, saving hundreds of people from harm during the infamous Battle of Hue City.
Many thought he should have earned the Medal of Honor for his actions. He didn’t, but that’s changing.
On Oct. 17th, 2018, a now-80-year-old Canley, who retired at the rank of sergeant major, had his Navy Cross upgraded during a ceremony at the White House. He will be the 300th Marine to have earned the nation’s highest military honor.
For those who don’t know, the Battle of Hue City was one of the bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War. It was part of the surprise attack by North Vietnamese troops that is famously known as the Tet Offensive.
Canley was a gunnery sergeant for Company A during a weeklong portion of the battle to retake the city.
On Jan. 31, 1968, the company came across intense enemy fire. Canley ran through it, risking his life to carry several injured Marines back to safety. His company commander was wounded during the shootout, so Canley assumed command, despite his own injuries. He reorganized the scattered men and personally moved through their ranks to advise and encourage them.
For the next three days, Canley and his company were able to fight their way back into the city. Eventually, he led his men into an enemy-occupied building in Hue. Canley managed to get himself into a position right above the enemy’s strongpoint, where he was able to drop an explosive attached to a satchel, taking out several insurgents and forcing those who survived to run away.
Two days after that, on Feb. 6, his unit tried to capture a government building. They suffering heavy casualties during the mission, but Canley continued to encourage his men forward until they drove the enemy out.
Canley was wounded yet again, but he refused to let his injuries stop him. Twice during the fight, he was seen scaling a concrete wall in full view of the enemy to pick up fallen Marines and carry them to safety.
“He wasn’t one of these gruff, screaming guys. You did stuff for him because you didn’t want to disappoint him,” former Marine Corps Pfc. John Ligato, who served alongside Canley, recently told Military.com. “You followed him because he was a true leader – something you need in life-and-death situations. … He was totally fearless. He loved his Marines, and we loved him back.”
That selfless dedication to his men during such a volatile time earned Canley the Navy Cross in 1970. But for more than a decade, many who served under him have been working to get that award upgraded to the Medal of Honor. After years of bureaucratic delays, that’s finally happening.
Congratulations, Sergeant Major Canley. The honor is well-deserved!
Follow the Department of Defense on Facebook and Twitter!
U.S. Department of Defense
The Department of Defense provides the military forces needed to deter war and ensure our nation’s security. The foundational strength of the Department of Defense is the men and women who volunteer to serve our country and protect our freedoms. Visit www.defense.gov/ to learn more.
That lower photograph brings some questions to my mind. ANYBODY who can earn the C M H has earned my respect. Those are NOT easily earned.
Arm up, carry on.
Thank you for your exemplary leadership and service to your country, SGM!
Unfortunately, there was still a lot of racism back in the 60’s. It would have been hard for the troops back then to follow an African American leader in battle yet he achieved that. This speaks volumes of him. I hope this long delay was not the result of that past racism. Congratulations Sgt Major.
Sgt. Maj. Canley, an American hero. God bless you sir!
Making rank in the military is not an easy thing. They just don’t hand out stripes because they feel like it: you in fact earn them through not only action and deed, but by study of the very heritage that you and your uniform represent. There are no “givens” when rising through these ranks, either, as you have to earn each and every one of them through a “time will tell” merit based system. And that’s exactly why Sergeant Major Canley has earned my respect. He’s by all accounts, a man among men. And that too, isn’t easy: especially when… Read more »
I am confused. Why does the headline say: “50 Years in the Making: Vietnam Vet to Get Medal of Honor,” but the text of the article says his Navy Cross was upgraded to the Congressional Medal of Honor in a White House ceremony on October 17, 2018? This doesn’t exactly sound like “news”.
Regardless of the editorial negligence, I am proud of Sgt. Major Canley and from the description of his actions, it sounds like a well deserved award.
Typical. Officers routinely award each other medals. I was wounded in Cambodia and did not receive a Purple Heart. Enlisted Men are on a “you must have a bunch of people come forward and request a medal/award”, while officers routinely award each other various Meritorious Service awards as easily as drinking a beer. An Enlisted Man must serve 90 days in actual combat to receive a Combat Infantry Badge. All an officer has to do is set foot in country and ‘Bingo!’ CIB awarded. I am glad Canley is getting his due recognition. Viet Nam was a war to enrich… Read more »