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 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 for Canley's Navy Cross to be upgraded to the Medal of Honor. On December 21, 2017, the House of Representatives waived the 5-year time limit for the award of the Medal of Honor, and the Senate later took similar action. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis recommended the upgrade to President Donald Trump, who approved the award.
