There Is Nothing Greater Or Better Than Being An American

[HARDCORE]

10-17-2018

After watching the ceremony in which yet another “Gallant American Warrior” was awarded “Our Nation’s Highest Military Honor (The Medal of Honor for action in Vietnam)”, I could not help but feel the pride swelling up in my chest!

It may have been over one hundred and fifty or more years since the first “Medal of Honor” was awarded to Jacob Parrott [1843-1908] during the American Civil War, but the pride that every honorable citizen should feel (even over half a century later) in “John Canley’s case”, will remain as “An American Icon” for all time to come!

“WELL DONE - MARINE SERGEANT-MAJOR JOHN CANLEY!!”(You too – are genuinely made of the right stuff!!)

Hardcore

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John Canley
Born February 1, 1938 (age 80)
Little Rock, Arkansas

Allegiance United States of America

Service/branch United States Marine Corps

Rank Sergeant Major

Unit 1st Battalion, 1st Marines

Battles/wars Vietnam War
• Con Thien
• Battle of Huế

Awards Medal of Honor

John L. Canley (born 1 February 1938) is a retired United States Marine and recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for actions in January/February 1968 during the Battle of Huế. At the time of this action Canley was a Gunnery sergeant with Company A 1st Battalion, 1st Marines. Canley was originally awarded the Navy Cross, but this was upgraded to the Medal of Honor which was presented on October 17, 2018.[1]

Biography

On the morning of 31 January 1968 Company A 1/1 Marines was loaded onto trucks and sent to reinforce U.S. and South Vietnamese forces under siege in Huế. As the convoy approached the southern suburbs of the city, they began to come under increased sniper fire. In one village, the troops dismounted and cleared the houses on either side of the main street before proceeding. The Marine convoy stopped several times to eliminate resistance in heavy house-to-house and street fighting before proceeding again. During this fighting the Company commander, Captain Gordon Batchellor was wounded and Gunnery Sergeant Canley assumed command of the Company and he and Sergeant Alfredo Cantu Gonzalez led the Marines in the defense of the convoy, actions for which Gonzalez would later be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. At about 15:15 after bloody fighting the Marines managed to make their way toward the besieged Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV) compound (16.466°N 107.592°E).[2] Canley was awarded the Navy Cross. Canley has earned 7 Service stripes.

Medal of Honor announced
Representative Julia Brownley sponsored a bill in Congress for Canley's Navy Cross to be upgraded to the Medal of Honor. On 21 December 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 (a former Marine General) recommended the upgrade to President Donald Trump who approved the award in July 2018.[1] On Wednesday, 17 October 2018, President Trump will award the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Major John L. Canley, United States Marine Corps (Retired), for conspicuous gallantry.[3]
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded in the name of Congress the Medal of Honor to[1]

Medal of Honor citation

GUNNERY SERGEANT
JOHN CANLEY
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.
1st row Medal of Honor

2nd row Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing Device
Purple Heart
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device Combat Action Ribbon

3rd row Navy Presidential Unit Citation with three service stars
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with nine service stars Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal with service star
National Defense Service Medal with service star
4th row Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with nine service stars Korea Defense Service Medal
Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with two service stars
5th row Vietnam Gallantry Cross with two Silver Stars Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
United Nations Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal

Badges Rifle expert marksmanship badge (11 awards) Pistol expert marksmanship badge (16 awards)
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Jacob Parrott
Born July 17, 1843

Fairfield County, Ohio

Died December 22, 1908 (aged 65)
Kenton, Ohio

Place of burial Grove Cemetery Kenton, Ohio

Allegiance United States of America

Service/branch United States Army Union Army (POW)

Years of service 1861 - 1865
Rank 1st Lieutenant

Unit Company K, 33rd Ohio Infantry

Battles/wars American Civil War

Awards Medal of Honor

Jacob Wilson Parrott (July 17, 1843–December 22, 1908) was the first recipient of the Medal of Honor, a new military award first presented by the United States Department of War to six Union Army soldiers who participated in the Great Locomotive Chase in 1862 during the American Civil War (1861–1865).

Biography

Parrott was a native of Fairfield County, Ohio. He joined the United States Army in 1861 as a private in Company K, 33rd Ohio Infantry and first saw combat in the Battle of Ivy Mountain. In April 1862, he volunteered to take part in a daring raid with 21 others (later known as "Andrews' Raiders" because they operated under the command of James J. Andrews). After infiltrating Confederate lines and hijacking the locomotive "General," they were captured and imprisoned. Parrott was severely beaten 110 times in an attempt to make him talk. Parrott and 14 others managed to escape, but only six of them reached friendly lines. He was later exchanged and taken to Washington, D.C. meeting President Abraham Lincoln and was presented with the Medal of Honor by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. He served with the Union Army for the remainder of the war. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1863 after the Battle of Stones River and as a first lieutenant in 1864.

He returned to Kenton, Ohio after the war and remained a cabinet maker and operated a stone quarry south of Kenton, Ohio. Parrott suffered a heart attack and died while walking home from the county courthouse in Kenton, Ohio. He is buried in Grove Cemetery, on State Route 309, right across the street from Wingfield Crop Insurance, east edge of Kenton, Ohio.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and Organization:
Private, Company K, 33d Ohio Infantry. Place and date: Georgia, April 1862. Entered service at: Hardin County, Ohio. Birth: July 17, 1843, Fairfield County, Ohio. Date of issue: March 25, 1863.

Citation:

One of the 19 of 22 men (including 2 civilians) who, by direction of Gen. Mitchell (or Buell) penetrated nearly 200 miles south into enemy territory and captured a railroad train at Big Shanty, Ga., in an attempt to destroy the bridges and tracks between Chattanooga and Atlanta.[1]