Retired U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. John L. Canley, the 300th Marine Medal of Honor recipient, gives closing remarks at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., on Oct. 18, 2018. Photo credit: (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Daisha R. Johnson/Released)
The Navy will christen its newest expeditionary sea base, the future USS John L. Canley (ESB 6), during a Saturday morning ceremony at General Dynamics National Steel’s shipyard.
The principal speaker at the San Diego event is Lt. Gen. Michael Langley, commanding general, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic, and commander, Marine Forces Command and Marine Forces Northern Command.
Additional speakers include Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Installations, Energy, and Facilities Robert Thompson; Vice Adm. Ross Myers, commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/commander, U.S. 10th Fleet; Mr. Thomas Kiss, director of ship management, Military Sealift Command; Sgt. Maj. David Wilson, command sergeant major, First Marine Division, and Mr. David Carver, president of General Dynamics-NASSCO.
In a Navy tradition, the ship’s sponsor, Ms. Patricia Sargent, daughter of Sgt. Maj. Canley, will christen the ship by breaking a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow.
The ship is named for Hanley, who died May 11.
The Medal of Honor recipient, who served in the Marine Corps for 28 years, was awarded the nation’s highest honor 50 years after his actions while serving as Company Gunnery Sergeant, Company A, First Battalion, First Marine Division in Vietnam during the Battle of Hue City.
Initially awarded the Navy Cross for his actions, his award was upgraded to the Medal of Honor in 2018.
“Tomorrow we christen the future USS John L. Canley, recognizing a pioneer in the Marine Corps and a devoted patriot, who earned our nation’s highest honor for his gallant actions in the Battle of Hue City,” said Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro. “Sgt. Maj. Canley is an example to the men and women who will proudly serve aboard this ship and he will be remembered every day ESB 6 operates.”
ESBs are highly flexible platforms used across a broad range of military operations, supporting multiple operational phases. Acting as a mobile sea base, they are a part of the critical access infrastructure that supports the deployment of forces and supplies.