The U.S. Navy invites the Coronado community to attend the commissioning of USS John L Canley (ESB 6) at NAS North Island on Feb. 17.
The Expeditionary Sea Base ship is named for Retired United States Marine Corps Sergeant Major John L. Canley (1937-2022), who received the Medal of Honor for carrying wounded Marines to safety while under fire in the 1968 Tet Offensive.
Free tickets can be reserved at https://www.johnlcanley.com to celebrate the ship’s namesake, her crew, and her role in protecting American interests around the world, said Joyce Murphy, president of the Coronado Council of the Navy League of the United States.
Online donations are also being accepted to support commissioning gifts and activities for the crew. Â
Medal of Honor for actions at Hue City
The first of its name, the ship honors 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 Jan. 31 to Feb. 6, 1968.
Canley passed away in Bend, Oregon on May 11, 2022.
On Nov. 10, 2020, then Secretary of the Navy Kenneth J. Braithwaite announced that ESB 6 would be named USS John L. Canley to honor a man who exemplified all that has made our service strong and our nation thrive.
Ship sponsor is Canley’s daughter
The ship’s sponsor is Patricia Sargent, Canley’s daughter.
The 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 mission of CNSP is to man, train, and equip the Surface Force to provide fleet commanders with credible naval power to control the sea and project power ashore.
The future USS John L. Canley will be part of the Forward Deployed Naval Force operating from Saipan.
‘Going above and beyond the call of duty’
In 2020, Secretary of the Navy Kenneth J. Braithwaite announced that a future U.S. Navy Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) class ship would honor Canley.
“Then-Gunnery Sergeant Canley led his men through the Battle of Hue City, going above and beyond the call of duty as he carried wounded Marines to safety and drove the enemy from a fortified position. His courageous actions resulted in the award of the Medal of Honor, as well as the enduring gratitude of our Nation,” said Braithwaite at the time.
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.
Led attacks against enemies
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.
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.”
Upgraded to the Medal of Honor
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 October 17, 2018 during a ceremony at the White House.
His 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, Arkansas, and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in Little Rock. He retired from the United States Marine Corps in 1981.
DVIDS ,Julie Ann Ripley, Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet and Chief Petty Officer Lori Bent, Office of the Secretary of the Navy, contributed.
