Sgt. Major John Canley
*On this date in 2018, the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Major John L. Canley, United States Marine Corps (Retired), for conspicuous gallantry.
Canley, a retired United States Marine, received the Medal of Honor for his actions in January/February 1968 during the Battle of Huế. During the Vietnam War. At the time of this action, Canley was a gunnery sergeant with Company A, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines. Canley was born in Caledonia, Arkansas, in 1953; he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps from Little Rock, Arkansas, and retired in 1981.
Representative Julia Brownley sponsored a bill in Congress to upgrade Canley's Navy Cross to the Medal of Honor. On December 21, 2017, the House of Representatives waived the 5-year time limit for the award, and the Senate later took similar action. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis recommended the upgrade to President Donald Trump, who approved the award.
