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THIS IS A FREE EVENT!

Marines’ Memorial once again presents one of our most popular events, the Salute to Vietnam Veterans. This year’s guest speaker will be General Richard “Butch” Neal, USMC (Ret), former Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps and author of What Now, Lieutenant?, which was recently added to the Commandant’s Reading List. In addition, we’ll welcome distinguished guest, Sergeant Major John L. Canley, USMC (Ret), recent recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Hue.

GUEST SPEAKER: GEN RICHARD I. NEAL, USMC (RET)

General Richard ‘Butch’ Neal is a retired four-star general and served from 1996—1998 as Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps. After graduating with a B.S. in History and Education from Northeastern University in Boston, in 1965, Neal was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps and spent the next thirty-five years commanding at every level. During his time in uniform, he also went on to graduate from the National War College and earn his M.Ed. from Tulane University. He served two tours in the Republic of Vietnam, and during Desert Storm, he served as the Deputy Director of Operations for General Schwarzkopf as well as Central Command Briefer. His decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal; Silver Star Medal with Gold Star; Bronze Star Medal with Combat V; and the Purple Heart. Since retiring in 1998, he has been president of three intellectual property licensing companies. He was the Senior Mentor for the Marine Corps for five years and a Senior Fellow at the National Defense University. The general also served as Chairman of the Board for the Military Officers Association of America, and is presently on the board of directors for several companies, and sits on the Board of Trustees for Norwich University.

MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT: SGTMAJ JOHN L. CANLEY, USMC (RET)

John L. Canley is a 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 17 October 2018. His Medal of Honor Citation states:
 
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Gunnery Sergeant John L. Canley (MCSN: 1455946), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Company Gunnery Sergeant of Company A, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, during operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam from 31 January to 6 February 1968. On 31 January, when his company came under a heavy volume of enemy fire near the city of Hue, Gunnery Sergeant Canley rushed across the fire-swept terrain and carried several wounded Marines to safety. Later, with the company commander seriously wounded, Gunnery Sergeant Canley assumed command and immediately reorganized his scattered Marines, moving from one group to another to advise and encourage his men. Although sustaining shrapnel wounds during this period, he nonetheless established a base of fire which subsequently allowed the company to break through the enemy strongpoint. Retaining command of the company for the following three days, Gunnery Sergeant Canley on 4 February led his men into an enemy-occupied building in Hue. Despite fierce enemy resistance, he succeeded in gaining a position immediately above the enemy strongpoint and dropped a large satchel charge into the position, personally accounting for numerous enemy killed, and forcing the others to vacate the building. On 6 February, when his unit sustained numerous casualties while attempting to capture a government building, Gunnery Sergeant Canley lent words of encouragement to his men and exhorted them to greater efforts as they drove the enemy from its fortified emplacement. Although wounded once again during this action, on two occasions he leaped a wall in full view of the enemy, picked up casualties, and carried them to covered positions. By his dynamic leadership, courage, and selfless dedication, Gunnery Sergeant Canley contributed greatly to the accomplishment of his company’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.