God bless this man and God bless our President
Awesome!
The Vietnam war really did a number on us.
I still remember hippies spitting on wounded soldiers as they came through O’Hare..
Oh, and the Hare Krishnas too. Hope I got the selling right! Meant to say spelling but I’m sure there was eventual selling, too...
Nice! I had never heard of this battle.
I just love seeing the Medal of Honor ceremonies; it always gives me goosebumps.
It’s great that he is finally being recognized.
But I have a rhetorical question.
How does a man’s decoration submission sit in the Awards Branch’s inbox for fifty years before someone decides to approve it?
Boggles the mind, it does.
Again; Congrats to him and I’m glad they finally got around to recognizing his valor.
Semper Fi.
Fantastic!
Bttt.
5.56mm
Below is his Navy Cross citation which is being “upgraded” for the MOH:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Gunnery Sergeant James L. Canley (MCSN: 1455946), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Company Gunnery Sergeant of Company A, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, during operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam from 31 January to 6 February 1968. On 31 January, when his company came under a heavy volume of enemy fire near the city of Hue, Gunnery Sergeant Canley rushed across the fire-swept terrain and carried several wounded Marines to safety. Later, with the company commander seriously wounded, Gunnery Sergeant Canley assumed command and immediately reorganized his scattered Marines, moving from one group to another to advise and encourage his men. Although sustaining shrapnel wounds during this period, he nonetheless established a base of fire which subsequently allowed the company to break through the enemy strongpoint. Retaining command of the company for the following three days, Gunnery Sergeant Canley on 4 February led his men into an enemy-occupied building in Hue. Despite fierce enemy resistance, he succeeded in gaining a position immediately above the enemy strongpoint and dropped a large satchel charge into the position, personally accounting for numerous enemy killed, and forcing the others to vacate the building. On 6 February, when his unit sustained numerous casualties while attempting to capture a government building, Gunnery Sergeant Canley lent words of encouragement to his men and exhorted them to greater efforts as they drove the enemy from its fortified emplacement. Although wounded once again during this action, on two occasions he leaped a wall in full view of the enemy, picked up casualties, and carried them to covered positions. By his dynamic leadership, courage, and selfless dedication, Gunnery Sergeant Canley contributed greatly to the accomplishment of his company’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
Outstanding.
Well done and Semper Fi brother Marine. You make us all proud.
Kudos to Representative Julia Brownley, who was instrumental in making this happen. Bravo Zulu, sar’major.
Can someone answer this: if someone wins a silver star for the same action, do they rescind the silver star and award to MOH? Or do they retain the Lower award?
I often wondered about this.
Ping for Marine Vietnam veteran Retired Sgt. Maj. John Canley to receive Medal of Honor.
Hand Salute.
I would also like to see the same thing happen for Sgt Rafael Peralta. I have a hard time accepting that the eyewitness accounts of the marines he saved could be overruled by some stateside pecker-checkers.
I would also like to see the same thing happen for Sgt Rafael Peralta (OIF). I have a hard time accepting that the eyewitness accounts of the marines he saved could be overruled by some stateside pecker-checkers.
GREAT!Since he is now a civilian, is anyone in the military required to salute him?
I do know that if a sergeant has the MOA, even a general has to salute him.