For his actions during the Vietnam War from Jan. 31 to Feb. 6, 1968, retired Marine Sgt. Maj. John Canley will be awarded the Medal of Honor next month by President Donald Trump.
Canley, who was born in Caledonia, will receive the highest U.S. military honor on Oct. 17. Canley now lives in Oxnard, Calif.
Canley said he left El Dorado at the age of 15 to join the Marines, and spent 28 years in the service.
“(El Dorado) is where I went in the Marines from. It was about 21 days before I turned 16,” Canley said. “I took my brother’s birth certificate. On my birth certificate it says J.L. My brother’s name was L. J., so I was able to switch it around and convince the recruiter to let me take the test.”
According to a White House news release, while serving as Company Gunnery Sgt., Canley fought off multiple enemy attacks as his company moved along a highway toward Hue City to relieve friendly forces who were surrounded.
Canley was wounded more than once during the fighting, but still continued pushing forward. On several occasions, Canley rushed across fire-swept terrain to carry wounded Marines to safety.
The news release stated that 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 Feb. 6, 1968, at a hospital compound, he twice scaled a wall in full view of the enemy to aid wounded Marines and carry them to safety. “Then-Gunnery Sergeant Canley’s heroic actions saved the lives of his teammates,” the release added.
In January, Trump signed a bill passed by Congress to waive the time limit that the Medal of Honor must be awarded within five years of a heroic event.
The president’s bill upgrades Canley’s Navy Cross award, which he received in 1970, and is the country’s second-highest medal of valor.
Canley is also decorated with a Bronze Star with combat “V,” Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat “V” and the combat Action Ribbon.
Canley attended the president’s State of the Union Address in Washington on Jan. 30 and was U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley’s (D-Calif.) guest of honor. Brownley wrote the legislation that will allow Canley to receive the Medal of Honor.
“Sergeant Major Canley is a shining example of why our Armed Forces are the best military in the world, and his heroism and bravery showcases what being an American hero truly means,” Brownley said in a Tuesday news release. “I am so happy that the White House has announced that he will receive the Medal of Honor for his gallantry during the Vietnam War.”
Trump announced his plans to honor Canley in July.
“I am accepting this on behalf of all the Marines I had the honor of serving with in Vietnam and who continue to be an inspiration to me every day,” Canley said in a news release. “Their bravery and sacrifice is unparalleled.”
According to the White House news release, the Medal of Honor is awarded by the President, in the name of Congress, “to members of the Armed forces who distinguish themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their own lives above and beyond the call of duty.”
“There must be no margin of doubt or possibility of error in awarding this honor. To justify this decoration, the deed performed must have been one of personal bravery and self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual above his or her comrades, and must have involved risk of life,” the news release added.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette contributed information to this article.
Kaitlyn Rigdon can be reached at 870-862-6611 or [email protected].