Marine veteran John Canley, now 80 and a retired sergeant major, received the nation’s highest military honor Wednesday for his “conspicuous gallantry” during the Vietnam War 50 years ago.

President Trump bestowed the award for valorous action at The White House, beginning the ceremony, saying: “I like brave people, and you meet them right here.”

He introduced Canley to a standing ovation, noting he “fought with unmatched bravery in one of the longest, and bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War.”

Trump noted the utmost respect Canley’s fellow warriors have for him, quoting John Ligato, a Marine and FBI agent, who attended the ceremony: “‘We followed him because he was a true leader, he was totally fearless. He loved his Marines, and we loved him back.’”

Trump said that Canley still goes to the gym, and his fellow Marines call him a Marine Warrior, “who is bigger than life and beyond the reach of death.”

Canley took over after his commanding officer was wounded severely, killing countless enemy fighters as his team retook Hue, in what was then South Vietnam.

“Being a leader is about taking care of your people,” Canley said in a news release in February, as Fox News previously reported. “If you do that, they will take your view, and you don’t have to worry about your mission, and it really doesn’t matter whether or not it’s military or civilian: if you’re in a leadership position, you should always remember that.”

Canley’s heroism included twice scaling a hospital wall in view of the enemy to help wounded Marines and carry them to safety.

Trump noted Canley fought off multiple enemy attacks over several days in early 1968 during what’s known as the most chaotic battle of the Vietnam War, while his company moved toward Hue as part of a counter-offensive to retake the city from the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces.

Trump said: “Despite sustaining serious injuries … (Canley) continued to face down the enemy with no thought for his own safety. John waged seven straight days of unrelenting combat, personally saving the lives of more than 20 Marines.”

Canley is the sixth American to receive the honor from Trump and the third Vietnam War veteran, The Hill reported.

He is the 300th Marine in American history to receive the Medal of Honor, Stars and Stripes reported.

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“My Marines because they believed in me, they would follow me to death,” Canley said in a video published Tuesday by the Marine Corps. “And I have no doubt about that.”

Canley, who spent 28 years in the service, left El Dorado, Arkansas, at the age of 15 to join the Marines.

He was deployed to Vietnam several times from 1965 to 1970 and his efforts saved the lives of many men, earning him the Navy Cross.

Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Calif., sponsored the congressional bill approving his new award, which was passed in January.

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“His heroism and bravery showcases what being an American hero truly means,” Brownley said last month, according to Stars and Stripes.

Canley’s daughter Patricia Sargent told USA Today that her father’s leadership has been the meaning of his life.

“It’s about the individual,” she said. “And whether it’s teaching things to them or getting obstacles out of their way so they can achieve other things. I think that’s been his life’s work. He’s done that for Marines. He’s done that for myself, my brother and sister. Now I see him passing those little snippets on to his grandkids.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.</s>CLOSE President Donald Trump awarded Marine Sgt. Maj. John Canley with the nation's highest military honor for his heroism in Vietnam 50 years ago. USA TODAY

Retired Marine Sgt. Maj. John L. Canley is honored during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House Oct. 17, 2018, in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images)

WASHINGTON – Marine Sgt. Maj. John Canley’s astounding heroism in Vietnam 50 years ago speaks for itself, so loudly that Wednesday he was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Donald Trump at a White House ceremony.

Canley's daughter Patricia Sargent knows how her father took command of the undermanned Company A, First Battalion, First Marines despite shrapnel wounds during the bloody battle of Hue in 1968. How he set up a base while caught in a “deadly crossfire,” drew fire by darting into the open so his Marines could seize a building and carried wounded Marines to safety while exposing himself to the enemy.

"John raced straight into enemy fire over and over again, saving numerous American lives and defeating a large group of communist fighters," Trump said in conferring the Medal of Honor at a White House ceremony. He lauded the former gunnery sergeant for "unmatched bravery" and fearlessness.

"Despite sustaining serious injuries – very, very serious injuries – he continued to face down the enemy with no thought for his own safety," Trump said.

The audience gave Canley a prolonged ovation, complete with Marine shoutouts of "Oorah!"

"I think you like him," Trump told the crowd.

President Donald Trump and retired Marine Sgt. Maj. John L. Canley arrive at the East Room of the White House Oct. 17, 2018, in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images)

Canley and his daughter spoke about the recognition and the qualities he has that helped him earn it during an interview with USA TODAY on Wednesday morning before the East Room ceremony. When Sargent talked to Marines gathering at a hotel near the Pentagon to honor Canley, a smaller story stood out and illuminated what made Canley a transcendent leader.

In Vietnam, Canley had told a grimy, young Marine in the field that he need to clean up. So, the young man just out of high school filled a helmet with water, dipped in his razor and went at it.

“My dad said to him, ‘Hey, hey. You’ve got to wash your face off and warm it up to get it soft before you shave,’” Sargent said.

The now-old Marine told Sargent recently he still thinks about that moment.

“Something as little as that,” the Marine told her. “But I was 18 years old. I didn’t know how to shave. He taught me that. Not only did I follow him and he saved my life and all these things. But he taught me those life lessons.”

Canley seems uncomfortable with the attention being lavished on him. He prefers to talk about the Marines who served with him, people like John Ligato, the retired FBI agent who has advocated since 2005 for Canley to receive the nation's highest military honor.

The battle for control of Hue was one of the bloodiest of the war. North Vietnamese soldiers and guerrillas had overrun the provincial capital during the Tet Offensive. Canley and his Marines, outnumbered and outgunned, were sent to retake the city. After the battle, legendary for its bloody house-to-house fighting, Canley received the Navy Cross, two Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart.

To Canley, the young Marines who served in Vietnam are heroes. Heroes who suffered from bad leadership, shoddy packs and belts, and a lack of relevant training. Canley, who is African-American, said race wasn’t an issue.

“We didn’t have a race problem,” he said. “We had a leadership problem. Period.”

The gathering in Washington is an opportunity to renew acquaintances with Marines that Canley, 80, has known since 1955.

“I’ve received a number of calls, letters thanking me for being their leader,” he said. “That’s an awesome feeling.”

Sargent said her father’s informal classes on leadership continue to this day.

“It’s about the individual. And whether it’s teaching things to them or getting obstacles out of their way so they can achieve other things. I think that’s been his life’s work. He’s done that for Marines. He’s done that for myself, my brother and sister. Now I see him passing those little snippets on to his grandkids.

"I'm very proud of him."

Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/10/17/medal-honor-trump-awards-medal-vietnam-vet-john-canley/1671621002/</s>Washington, DC — President Donald Trump will award the Medal of Honor in October to retired Marine Sgt. Maj. John Canley after years of lobbying by his comrades culminated in a review of his valor in the Vietnam War during the bloody battle of Hue.

Canley, 80, is scheduled to receive the medal, the nation's highest award for valor, on Oct. 17 at the White House. Accounts of Canley's actions from Jan. 31 to Feb. 6, 1968 during the Tet Offensive show that he braved enemy fire continually to save the lives of fellow Marines and sailors despite his own wounds.

"It means a lot to me," Canley said in an interview. "Mostly for my Marines because we've had to wait 50-plus years to get any kind of recognition. It's not about me. It's about the Marines who didn't the appropriate recognition when we got home."

Canley received the Navy Cross, two Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart following the battle, one of the bloodiest of the Vietnam War and legendary for its house-to-house combat. North Vietnamese soldiers and guerrillas overran the provincial capital of Hue during the Tet Offensive. Outgunned, outnumbered Marines were sent in to retake the city.

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"Only seven of the 147 Marines who went into Hue came out unbloodied," said John Ligato, a retired FBI agent who fought under Canley and who has advocated since 2005 to upgrade his medal.

After the commander of their undermanned Company A, First Battalion, First Marines was wounded, Canley, a gunnery sergeant at the time, took command of the unit despite his shrapnel wounds. There were no commissioned officers left, Ligato said.

Canley set up a base while caught in "a deadly crossfire from enemy machine gun positions," according to narratives of his actions in medal citations and by the White House. Canley organized a platoon that destroyed the enemy positions.

On Feb. 4, Canley and the Marines stormed an enemy-occupied building. He darted into the open to draw their fire, and the Marines fought room-by-room to retake the building. Canley killed several enemy fighters by dropping a satchel filled with explosives onto their position.

Two days later, during "a fierce firefight," Canley twice scaled a wall in "full view of the enemy to pick up wounded Marines and carry them to safety," according to one of his medal citations

"Then-Gunnery Sergeant Canley’s heroic actions saved the lives of his teammates," the White House said.

Canley didn't receive the honor he deserved at the time in part because the battered company "scattered to the winds" after the battle, Ligato said. Years later, when histories of the battle were being written and veterans discussed the fighting, accounts of Canley's heroism kept surfacing.

"Everybody had a Gunny Canley story," Ligato said.

Canley, who served tours in Vietnam from 1964 to 1970, said he remembers his days in Hue vividly.

"You think about it every day," he said. "Every day."

Ligato relied on his training as an FBI agent, he said, and collected statements and presented the case that Canley deserved more recognition.

Ligato reached out to Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Calif, in 2014. She agreed with Ligato about the merits of Canley's case and authored a bill to waive the five-year time limit for consideration of the Medal of Honor. Trump signed the bill in January.

In recent years, battle buddies and amateur historians have persuaded the Pentagon to take a fresh look at heroism in Vietnam, the unpopular war that may have colored perceptions of heroism. Last September, Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to Gary Rose, a Vietnam War medic, for his valor on a secret mission in Laos after a similar review.

"All he wants to do is focus on the men he served with," Brownley said.</s>[The stream is slated to start at 4 p.m. ET. Please refresh the page if you do not see a player above at that time.]

President Donald Trump on Wednesday is set to award the Medal of Honor — the U.S. military's highest honor — to retired Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. John Canley for "conspicuous gallantry" during the Vietnam War, the White House said.

As a gunnery sergeant in 1968, Canley risked his life protecting his company while fending off waves of enemy attacks en route to help surrounded allies in Hue City. He took command of the company after his commanding officer was severely wounded and led Marines in their attacks on enemy positions within the city walls.

The White House said that "Canley's heroic actions saved the lives of his teammates" in a press release.</s>President Donald Trump on Wednesday awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor to retired US Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. John L. Canley for his heroic actions 50 years ago during the battle of Hue City, one of the bloodiest scuffles of the Vietnam War.

"Fifty years ago, an American Marine fought with unmatched bravery in one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War - the Battle of Hue City," Trump said during the ceremony. "The name of that heroic Marine is Sgt. Major John Canley."</s>President Trump awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor Wednesday to retired Marine Sgt. Major John Canley of California, a Vietnam War veteran who saved 20 fellow soldiers despite being wounded several times during an intense seven-day battle in 1968.

In an East Room ceremony attended by many former members of his Alpha Company, Mr. Canley, 80, was decorated by the president for his heroic actions during the battle of Hue City during the communists’ Tet Offensive.

“America is the greatest force for peace, justice and freedom the world has ever known because of you and people like you,” Mr. Trump told Mr. Canley as he received one of several standing ovations.

When the president asked him how he stays in such good shape, Mr. Canley told him, “I still work out, sir.”

A native of Arkansas who enlisted in the military with his false papers at age 15, Mr. Canley served in Vietnam for more than five years. During the Tet Offensive, his company of the First Battalion, First Marines Regiment was ordered to take back Hue City from communist forces.

He took command of the company after his commanding officer was severely wounded, and led the company under fire into the city, where the Marines engaged in house-to-house combat. Despite being wounded several times, then-Gunnery Sgt. Canley rescued wounded fellow Marines and twice scaled a hospital wall in full view of the enemy to help wounded soldiers.

The president said he personally saved more than 20 Marines during “seven straight days of unrelenting combat.”

“This is always one of my favorite events. I like brave people,” Mr. Trump said.

Mr. Canley retired from the Marine Corps in 1981 and now lives in Oxnard, California. His three grown children and two grandchildren attended the event at the White House.

He is the 300th Marine to receive the Medal of Honor.

Mr. Canley also has received the Navy Cross, as well as two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart. In 2014, one of his fellow service members contacted Rep. Julia Brownley, California Democrat, to request that she recommend Mr. Canley’s medal be upgraded to the Medal of Honor – the highest military honor awarded by the U.S. government.

The lawmaker’s office submitted the documentation requesting that the Department of Defense review Mr. Canley’s records. Defense Secretary James N. Mattis agreed to the request last December, and Ms. Brownley authored legislation to waive the five-year time limit to make Mr. Canley eligible to receive the medal. The president signed her bill into law in January.</s>President Donald Trump awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor to retired Marine Sergeant Major John L. Canley on Wednesday for his heroic actions in the Vietnam War.

Dozens of marines attended the ceremony, including Commandant of the Marine Corps General Robert Neller, Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and former Marine General John Kelly, the president’s chief of staff.

The Marines in the audience shouted with pride and applauded each of their comrades during Trump’s speech highlighting Canley’s heroic actions during the Tet offensive and the battle of Hue City.

The president praised Canley for bravely leading the Marines under his command in multiple combat missions.

“John raced straight into enemy fire over and over again, saving numerous American lives and defeating a large group of communist fighters,” Trump said. ”

Several soldiers who served under Canley’s command were present for the ceremony, witnesses to the heroism of his actions.

“Despite sustaining serious injuries – very, very serious injuries – he continued to face down the enemy with no thought for his own safety,” Trump said, recalling that Canley fought the communists for seven straight days and saved the lives of over 20 Marines.

The 80-year-old retired Marine continues to advise young Marines on a military base near his home.

“He is truly larger than life,” Trump said, praising his “extraordinary personality.”

“America is the greatest force for peace, justice, and freedom the world has ever known because of you and people like you. There are very few like you,” he said.</s>Earlier today President Donald Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Major John L. Canley, United States Marine Corps (Retired), for conspicuous gallantry.

Sergeant Major John L. Canley received the Medal of Honor for his actions From January 31 to February 6, 1968, while assigned to Company A, First Battalion, First Marines in the Republic of Vietnam. While serving as Company Gunnery Sergeant, he 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. 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.

On February 6, 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.

[Transcript] – East Room – 4:11 P.M. EDT – THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Thank you. And thank you very much, Chaplain. Appreciate it. Please sit down.

Vice President Mike Pence, thank you for joining us for today’s ceremony. This is always one of my favorite events. I like brave people. We meet them right here.

Fifty years ago, an American Marine fought with unmatched bravery in one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War — the Battle of Huế City. The name of that heroic Marine is Sergeant Major John Canley. (Applause.) I think you like him. (Laughter.)

Today, we proudly award John the Congressional Medal of Honor. (Applause.) John’s family is with us to pay tribute — his children, Ricky, Yukari, and Patricia; along with his two grandchildren, Victoria and Candice. Thank you very much for being here. Appreciate it. (Applause.) Also with us is John’s cousin, who has always been like a brother to him, James Canley. James, thank you very much. Stand up, James. (Applause.)

We’re grateful to be joined by Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan. Thanks, Patrick. Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer. (Applause.) Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Joseph Dunford. (Applause.) Hey, John, there are some pretty big people over here, when you hear that, right? (Laughter.) These are the biggest. These are the biggest, John.

Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Peter Pace. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Peter. (Applause.) Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Robert Neller. (Applause.) Thank you. Thank you, General. Stand up, Robert. Come on. Stand up. Thank you, Robert.

Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Ronald Green. And — (Applause.) You know, it’s like old family week, huh? (Laughter.)

Boy, here’s a Marine I like a lot that we all know, we all love. He’s doing a fantastic job. Four-star General John Kelly. Stand up. (Applause.)

And thank you as well to Congresswoman Julia Brownley for being with us. Thank you. Thank you, Julia. Thank you very much. (Applause.)

We are especially thankful to be joined by five previous Medal of Honor recipients: Donald Ballard; Harvey Barnum — please stand as I call you name; Roger Donlon; Thomas Kelley; and Brian Thacker. (Applause.)

Sergeant Major John Canley was born in Caledonia, Arkansas. In 1953, at the age of 15, John used his brother’s paperwork to enlist in the United States Marines. (Laughter.) We didn’t know that, John. (Laughter.)

John served in South Korea and Japan, before shipping out to Vietnam for more than five years of intense combat.

On January 30th, 1968, Vietnamese families gathered to celebrate the Lunar New Year, known as “Tet.” In the midst of the celebration, thousands of North Vietnamese communists launched surprise attacks all over and throughout the country. This became known as the “Tet Offensive,” one of the largest enemy offenses that we’ve ever seen, and certainly of the Vietnam War.

Within the first day, the communists seized control of a vital American stronghold — Huế City.

At the time of the attack, John was a Gunnery Sergeant with Alpha Company, First Battalion, First Marine Regiment. This company of roughly 150 Marines was tasked to help take back the city.

On their way, the enemy attacked them with machine guns, mortars, rockets, and everything else they had. John’s friend Pat Fraleigh was struck by a rocket explosion and was about to be run over by a tank when John charged through enemy fire, and carried him back to safety.

Today, 50 years later, Pat is here with us at the White House to honor the hero who saved his life. Thank you for being here, Pat. Where’s Pat? Pat. (Applause.) That’s great, Pat. Thank you very much. I knew you’d have no problem getting up. (Laughter.) That’s great. Thank you, Pat.

Early in the battle, John’s commanding officer was seriously wounded. Command then fell to John, who quickly organized his men and led them through the fight.

One of his fellow warriors who joins us today, John Ligato, said, “You followed him because he was a true leader. He was totally fearless. He loved his Marines, and we loved him back.” Where is John? Where are you, John? Stand up, John. (Applause.) Beautiful. Thank you. Thank you very much for being here.

By the end of the day, John and his company of less than 150 Marines had successfully pushed into the city which was held by 6,000 — at least — communist fighters.

In the days that followed, John led his company through the fog and rain, and in house-to-house — very vicious, very hard — combat. He assaulted enemy strongholds; killed enemy fighters; and, with deadly accuracy, did everything you had to do. He raced into heavy machine gun fire on many occasions, all to save his fellow Marines. In one harrowing engagement after another, John risked his own life to save the lives of those under his command.

During the fifth day of combat, John and his company were tasked with liberating the Joan of Arc School, which had become a strategic and symbolic stronghold of the communists’ control of the city.

As soon as John’s company arrived, communist forces unleashed their machine guns with tremendous velocity, tremendous violence, all at the Marines. Undeterred, John and his comrade Sergeant Alfredo Gonzalez fearlessly charged forward with rocket launchers, killing the enemy and driving them from their positions. The enemy didn’t know what the hell happened. (Laughter.)

During this daring maneuver, Sergeant Gonzalez was shot and killed, giving his life for his nation and for his fellow Marines. Today, we are honored to be joined by Sergeant Gonzalez’s mother — who I just met, who is incredible — Maria. Where is Maria? Maria. There’s Maria. (Applause.) Thank you, Maria. Everybody in this room had great respect for your son. You know that. Thank you very much.

We are also joined by Henry Murphy, whose brother Walter died fighting courageously in the Battle of Huế City. And Henry — where are you, Henry? Please stand up. (Applause.)

To Maria and Henry: We are eternally in your debt. Sergeant Gonzalez and Major Murphy are heroes who will live forever in the hearts of all Americans. Thank you both very much for being here. Thank you. Thank you very much. (Applause.)

As the battle raged on, Sergeant Major John Canley fought his way inside the Joan of Arc School. There, he and his fellow Marines went room to room, in brutal, close-quarters combat.

John raced straight into enemy fire over and over again, saving numerous American lives, and defeating a large group of communist fighters.

After an intense day of fighting, John and his fellow Marines liberated the school. But John wasn’t done yet. Despite sustaining serious injuries — very, very serious injuries — he continued to face down the enemy with no thought for his own safety.

John waged seven straight days of unrelenting combat, personally saving the lives of more than 20 Marines. By the battle’s end, American Marines had defeated the communists and taken back the city.

Today, we are joined by more than 30 of the brave Marines who fought with valor in the Battle of Huế City. Would you please stand? (Applause.) You make us all very proud. Thank you for being here. Thank you very much.

Sergeant Major John Canley continued his service long after Vietnam, training thousands of Marines in combat drills and overseas. Now, at 80 years old — you don’t look 80 years old to me. (Laughter.) Looks like we could put him in, Joe, right away. Right? Nobody would know the difference, right? (Laughter.) That’s really great. He still goes to the gym. I asked him that question. I said, “How are you keeping in shape?” “I still work out, sir.” (Laughter.) It’s beautiful.

And he goes right on base right near his home in California and gives advice to young Marines.

John’s fellow Marines have described him as a “Marine warrior” — and I can see it — who is “bigger than life and beyond the reach of death.” He is truly larger than life.

John, it is because of your extraordinary personality, and being, and whatever it takes that really do something very special for our country. America is the greatest force for peace, justice, and freedom the world has ever known because of you and people like you. There are very few. There are very few. Brave people — but very, very few like you, John.

It is now my incredible privilege to present Sergeant Major John Canley with the Congressional Medal of Honor. And I would like to ask the military aide to come forward and read the citation. Thank you.

MILITARY AIDE: The President of the United States, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in awarding the Congressional Medal of Honor to Gunnery Sergeant John L. Canley, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy while serving as Company Gunnery Sergeant, Alpha Company, First Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division, from 31 January to 6 February 1968, in the Republic of Vietnam.

Alpha Company fought off multiple vicious attacks as it rapidly moved along the highway toward Huế City to relieve friendly forces that were surrounded by enemy.

Despite being wounded in these engagements, Gunnery Sergeant Canley repeatedly rushed across fire-swept terrain to carry his wounded Marines to safety.

After his commanding officer was severely wounded, Gunnery Sergeant Canley took command and led the company into Huế City.

At Huế City, caught in deadly crossfire from enemy machine gun positions, he set up a base of fire and maneuvered with a platoon in a flanking attack that eliminated several enemy positions.

Retaining command of the company for three days, he led attacks against multiple enemy fortified positions while routinely braving enemy fire to carry wounded Marines to safety.

On 4 February, he led a group of Marines into an enemy-occupied building in Huế City. He moved into the open to draw fire, located the enemy, eliminated the threat, and expanded the company’s hold on the building room by room. Gunnery Sergeant Canley then gained position above the enemy strongpoint and dropped in a large satchel charge that forced the enemy to withdraw.

On 6 February, during a fierce firefight at a hospital compound, Gunnery Sergeant Canley twice scaled a wall in full view of the enemy to carry wounded Marines to safety.

By his undaunted courage, selfless sacrifice, and unwavering devotion to duty, Gunnery Sergeant Canley reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.</s>An Oxnard veteran hailed as a hero for his efforts in saving lives in a fierce battle during the Vietnam War received the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military honor, at the White House Wednesday afternoon.Retired Sgt. Maj. John Canley served as a Marine for 28 years, including service during Vietnam. Canley's heroism includes twice scaling a hospital wall in view of the enemy to help wounded Marines and carry them to safety.According to the White House, Canley, a native of Caledonia, Arkansas, who now lives in California, fought off multiple enemy attacks over several days in early 1968 while his company moved toward Hue as part of a counter-offensive to retake the city from the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces."He assaulted enemy strongholds, killed enemy fighters and with deadly accuracy did everything you had to do," President Donald Trump said. "He raced into heavy machine gun fire on many occasions - all to save his fellow Marines. In one harrowing engagement after another, John risked his own life to save the lives of those under his command."In the early days of the Tet Offensive in Hue City, Canley took over command of his unit after his commanding officer was seriously wounded.Trump called the 80-year-old a "true warrior" for his efforts to take command of his unit."Despite sustaining serious injuries, very very serious injuries, he continued to face down the enemy with no thought for his own safety," Trump said. "John waged seven straight days of unrelentless combat, personally saving the lives of more than 20 Marines."Canley is also credited for saving many American lives and has received the Navy Cross as well as two bronze stars and a Purple Heart.The president also praised him for helping mentor young Marines in Southern California.Canley became the 300th Marine to receive the Medal of Honor.</s>Marine veteran John Canley will receive the nation’s highest military honor Wednesday for his “conspicuous gallantry” during the Vietnam War.

Canley, who will receive the award from President Trump at the White House, led Marines through the streets fighting in the Vietnamese city of Hue more than 50 years ago. The Battle of Hue took place during the Tet Offensive, Jan. 31-Feb. 6, 1968.

Canley, now 80 and a retired sergeant major, carried several wounded Marines while under heavy enemy fire and assumed command to maintain the unit’s organization and morale in what’s known as the most chaotic battle of the Vietnam War.

Canley was wounded more than once during the fighting but still continued pushing forward.

“Being a leader is about taking care of your people,” Canley said in a news release in February, as Fox News previously reported. “If you do that, they will take your view, and you don’t have to worry about your mission, and it really doesn’t matter whether or not it’s military or civilian: if you’re in a leadership position, you should always remember that.”

Canley will be the sixth American to receive the honor from Trump and the third Vietnam War veteran, The Hill reported.

He will be the 300th Marine in American history to receive the Medal of Honor, Stars and Stripes reported.

“My Marines because they believed in me, they would follow me to death,” Canley said in a video published Tuesday by the Marine Corps. “And I have no doubt about that.”

Canley, who spent 28 years in the service, left El Dorado, Arkansas, at the age of 15 to join the Marines.

He was deployed to Vietnam several times from 1965 to 1970 and his efforts saved the lives of many men, earning him the Navy Cross.

Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Calif., sponsored the congressional bill approving his award, which was passed in January.

“His heroism and bravery showcases what being an American hero truly means,” Brownley said last month, according to Stars and Stripes.

Canley’s daughter Patricia Sargent told USA Today that her father’s leadership has been the meaning of his life.

“It’s about the individual,” she said. “And whether it’s teaching things to them or getting obstacles out of their way so they can achieve other things. I think that’s been his life’s work. He’s done that for Marines. He’s done that for myself, my brother and sister. Now I see him passing those little snippets on to his grandkids.”
Retired United States Marine veteran John Canley receives the Medal of Honor award from U.S. President Donald Trump for his contributions in the Vietnam War.