A new U.S. Navy vessel named after a Medal of Honor recipient from Union County will join the active fleet on February 17, with a commissioning ceremony at Naval Base Coronado’s Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego.
The USS John L. Canley honors United States Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. John L. Canley, who was awarded the Medal of Honor 50 years after his actions during the Battle of Hue City.
Canley served as Company Gunnery Sergeant, Company A, First Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division in the Republic of Vietnam from January 31 to February 6, 1968. Sgt. Maj. Canley passed away in Bend, Oregon on May 11, 2022.
On November 10, 2020, then Secretary of the Navy Kenneth J. Braithwaite announced that ESB 6 would be named USS John L. Canley.
The ship's sponsor is Patricia Sargent, Canley’s daughter.
ESB 6 will be the newest commissioned Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) and the sixth ship in the expeditionary mobile base platform.
ESB 6 is a highly flexible platform used across various military operations. When commissioned, the ship will be employed as a mobile sea-based asset. It will be a part of the critical access infrastructure supporting the deployment of forces, equipment, supplies, and warfighting capability.
The future USS John L. Canley will be part of the Forward Deployed Naval Force operating from Saipan.
While serving as Company Gunnery Sergeant, Canley fought off multiple enemy attacks as his company moved along a highway toward Hue City to relieve friendly forces who were surrounded. On several occasions, despite his own wounds, he rushed across fire-swept terrain to carry wounded Marines to safety.
When his commanding officer was severely wounded, he took command and led his company into Hue City. While in command of the company for three days, he led attacks against multiple enemy-fortified positions while exposing himself to enemy fire to carry wounded Marines to safety. On February 6, at a hospital compound, he twice scaled a wall in full view of the enemy to aid wounded Marines and carry them to safety. Canley's heroic actions saved the lives of his teammates.
“Sgt. Maj. Canley embodies the spirit of honor, courage and commitment,” said Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. David H. Berger. “Sgt. Maj. Canley represents a generation of Marines who have sacrificed and fought for our way of life. His actions in Vietnam forever changed the lives of so many Marines around him. His legacy will continue to live on.”
Canley was originally awarded the Nation’s second highest honor, the Navy Cross, for his action during the Battle of Hue City, but this was upgraded to the Medal of Honor, which was presented by President Donald Trump on October 17, 2018 during a ceremony at the White House.
Canley’s personal awards include a Bronze Star with combat "V," Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat "V," and the Combat Action Ribbon. Additional awards and decorations include four Presidential Unit Citations, seven Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals, two Marine Corps Expeditionary Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, nine Vietnam Service Medals, two Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Crosses, the Korean Defense Service Medal, three Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, the Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation, the United Nations Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Device, the Rifle Expert Badge (11th Award), and the Pistol Expert Badge (16th Award).
Canley was born in Caledonia, located in southern Union County northeast of Junction City. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in Little Rock. He retired from the United States Marine Corps in 1981.
