Good morning . Ladies and gentlemen ,
please be seated .
Yeah ,
welcome to Naval Air Station North
Island in beautiful Coronado ,
California and the commissioning of us
S John L Conley . I am
Commander Michel Martinez Executive
Officer . It is my privilege to be your
master of ceremonies today . Before our
ceremony begins , please silence your
cell phones .
We are here today to celebrate this
ship's namesake , United States Marine
and medal of honor recipient , gunnery
sergeant John L Conley and to
commission the first ship named in his
honor 56 years
ago in January and February 1968
during the battle of way . Then gunnery
sergeant John L Canley displayed the
ultimate measure of leadership ,
courage and devotion
to quote his medal of honor citation
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 G gunnery sergeant , Company
Alpha , first Battalion First Marines
First Marine Division from 31 January
to 6th February 1968
in the Republic of Vietnam . Company
Alpha fought off multiple vicious
attacks as it rapidly moved along the
highway toward way city to relieve
friendly forces that were surrounded by
enemy forces despite being wounded in
these engagements . Gunnery Sergeant
Canley repeatedly rushed across fire so
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 way city at way city
caught in deadly crossfire from enemy
machine gun positions . He set up a
base of fire and maneuvered with a
platoon and 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 4th February , he led a group of
marines into an enemy occupied building
in way 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's
strong point and dropped in a large
satchel charge that forced the enemy to
withdraw on 6th February during a first
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 . This crew is
proud to serve on the newest warship in
the United States Navy and to carry on
the courageous legacy of Sergeant Major
Canley and of those who have gone
before us to repel tyranny and to
preserve freedom around the world .
We are honored to have two
of Sergeant Major Conley's fellow medal
of honor recipients with us today .
Colonel Jay Vargas , United States
Marine Corps , retired and Colonel
Robert J Moji . United States Marine
Corps , retired . Gentlemen , please
stand and be recognized .
We are also joined by several of
Sergeant Major Conley's brothers in
arms who fought beside him at the
battle of way . Gentlemen , would you
please stand and be recognized ?
Would all veterans and active duty
service members and U US ? Merchant
Mariners please stand .
Would all seafaring families please
stand .
Ladies and gentlemen , thank you for
your service . Our
ceremony today is a time honored
tradition which began with the
commissioning of our first warship , a
captured British schooner , the
Margaretta in 1775 .
Since then , thousands of ships have
undergone the transformation from
silent holes to fully alive
warships . Our commissioning crew
hereafter known as plank owners are in
information among you and ready to
bring our ship alive . In just a few
moments , we will render honors to the
honorable Carlos Del Toro .
Will the guests please rise and remain
standing for the arrival of our
official party honors the presentation
of colors , the national anthem and the
invocation . Ladies and
gentlemen , our platform guests ,
Lieutenant Commander Robert L Crabb ,
chaplain Corps . United States Navy
retired our ceremony . Chaplain ,
Lieutenant Commander William C Messick
United States Navy executive officer US
S John L Canley gold crew .
United States Marine and former captain ,
Mr Robert W Shaw , our long glass
presenter ,
our maid of honor , MS Victoria
Sergeant , escorted by senior chief
petty officer Ron A S Rojas United
States Navy command , senior chief US S
John L Conley gold crew
commander Mark A UOU United States Navy
officer in charge supervisor of
shipbuilding bath detachment , San
Diego
commander William Lauper United States
Navy retired US S John L Canley
commissioning committee , co chairman
captain Dennis Dubard United States
Navy retired US S John L . Conley
commissioning committee , co chairman
Mr Timothy J Roberts Strategic and
theater C lift program manager ,
Captain Micah D Murphy . United States
Navy commander , military sea lift
command , Pacific
Captain Austin R . Hanbury , United
States Merchant Marine ship's master US
S John L . Conley .
Mr David J Carver , President General
Dynamics Nasco Mhm .
Rear Admiral Thomas J Anderson . United
States Navy Program , executive officer
ships ,
Vice Admiral Brendan mclean commander ,
naval surface forces and commander
naval Surface Force US pacific fleet
sergeant major Carlos A Ruiz United
States Marine Corps . 20th sergeant
Major of the Marine Corps
General Joseph F . Dunford Junior ,
United States Marine Corps , retired
19th chairman of the joint Chiefs of
Staff and 36th Commandant of the Marine
Corps .
Ladies and gentlemen , our ship sponsor
MS Patricia , a sergeant escorted by
senior chief Petty Officer Julius C
green , United States Navy US S John
L Conley Command , senior chief blue
crew ,
ladies and gentlemen , the honorable
Carlos Del Toro , the 78th Secretary of
the Navy , escorted by Captain Thomas A
Mays United States Navy commanding
officer US S John L . Conley .
Ladies and gentlemen , honors to the
honorable Carlos Del Toro
and
platform ready
platform . Ready to
advance the colors
platform and salute .
Yeah ,
the colors
platform ready to .
Ok .
Ladies and gentlemen , chaplain Crabb
will now deliver the invocation .
Let us pray , God . Please
hear our prayer today at this
commissioning of the US S John L Canley
ESB six . We acknowledge Lord that your
spirit is unfurled to every breeze from
dawn to setting sun and in every climb
and place we acknowledge to Lord that
infused within the spirit of these
ceremonies today are the echoes of
ferocious battles and violent combats
of 1968 Way City when gunnery sergeant
John Conley in the Navy Marine Corps
combat team of alpha , 11 stood in full
battery against a desperate foe . The
ship's motto , courage under fire
declares a tradition of things endured
and things accomplished such as
regiments hand down forever for these
reasons . And so many more , God , we
ask for your blessings on our
proceedings just now . Grant the
current and future crews and embark
warriors in all ships . Company , grant
them strong minds , great hearts , true
courage and high competence . And when
their time comes Lord as it surely must
to enter the crucible of testing and
challenge . Inspire them with the
actions of gunnery sergeant canley
under fire . Be not far from them in
times of trouble and war . Be their
strength in times of fatigue and
distraction , be their fortress , their
high tower , their shield in times of
combat and violence be their hope and
vision in times of peace . Please dear
God bless their families too . Most of
all holy God , let them always be
faithful as you Lord are Sim Fidela
Amen .
Thank you , chaplain Crabb .
We would like to thank the Navy Band
Southwest , First Marine Division Band
and the first battalion , 11th Marine
saluting Battery and the Troy High
School NJOTC color guard for their
support this morning . Will the guests
please be seated ,
ship's company , parade , rest .
Yeah , ladies and gentlemen , Mr David
Carver .
Good morning , Secretary Del Toro flag
and general officers , distinguished
guests and ladies and gentlemen . It is
my honor to represent the 4800
shipbuilders of General Dynamics NSCO
at this commissioning ceremony to the
commissioning committee . Thank you
very much for your hard work and making
this a very special day . The Nasco
team consists of some of the most
experienced shipbuilders in America and
we are truly honored and humbled to
have built this incredible ship . The
US S John L can's remarkable
capabilities will allow our servicemen
and women to carry out a wide variety
of missions including to name a few
mine countermeasures , counter piracy
operations , maritime security
operations , human humanitarian aid ,
disaster relief missions , special
operation and Marine Corps crisis
response . The ship is designed to
support nearly every rotary wing
aircraft in the dod inventory including
H 53 and H 60 helicopters MV
22 tilt rotor aircraft as well as
allied aircraft all while serving off
the fleet's third largest flight deck .
She's also equipped with upgraded
forward accommodations area that can
support over 250 embarked personnel .
The first ship in the class to have
this expanded capability , Canley has
substantial residual space , weight and
power to accommodate a wide range of
current and future manned and unmanned
surface aerial and undersea systems
across multiple warfighting functions .
In summary , displacing nearly 100,000
tons . This is a massive capable
flexible warship that gives the fleet
commanders the decision space they need
throughout their operating theaters .
What makes this ship extra special is
its namesake in what he represents as
an American and a marine . Today , we
are not only commissioned in a ship .
We are honoring Sergeant Major Canley
for his lifetime of service and
dedication to the United States of
America for those who knew Sergeant
Major Canley . He lived and breathed
the Marine Corps . Nothing made him
happier than being around young sailors
and marines , hearing their stories and
getting to know them Sergeant Major
Ky's story . Demonstrates the American
ideas , courage , sacrifice ,
patriotism , citizenship , integrity
and commitment not just for his heroics
in Vietnam . It's the way he lived his
life . What we are commissioning today
is not just a ship . It's an embodiment
of the American unity and purpose , a
beacon of hope and freedom to those in
need around the world . To captain
Hanbury and captain Mays and the future
crew of the US S John L Cany , the men
and women , men and women of general
dynamics . Nasco wish you fair wins in
following seas . Thank you . Thank you ,
Mr Carver ,
ladies and gentlemen , Sergeant , Major ,
Carlos A rose .
I I hope it's ok to take off my cover
so I can see your beautiful faces . Ura
Good morning that you knew that that
was your car alarm is very impressive .
That's , that's pretty quick and pretty
awesome . Um I think I'd like to start
out with uh Miss Sergeant . Um Thank
you for allowing me to be here uh very
special day and to represent the
service here today , the marines that
are here and that are watching . Uh
just thrilled and thank you and uh
quickly Mr Secretary . Thank you , sir .
Thank you for bringing this beautiful
shift to our beautiful navy . It's
awesome and just a personal note from
me . Uh Thank you for allowing me to
speak on behalf of a man for a man that
wore the chevrons that a lot of us here
have worn in decades of service . So
thank you , sir . And uh General
Dunford Distinguished guest . Ladies
and gentlemen , it's a beautiful
morning . Can I get a URA ? Yeah , that
was pretty close . You thought you were
gonna get away with it , didn't you ?
Can I get a U ra ? I love it . Uh
Some Cantley . He uh he
earned this medal of honor over seven
days , but he had
15 years of building marines before
these seven days started 15 years of
making warriors getting him ready for
the fight . And then on the back end of
the seven days , he's been another
decade plus continuing to serve in
uniform . So the seven days is what ,
why the name is on this ship . But it's
the 30 years of service in a uniform
that brings most of us here today . But
just like it was just mentioned
that after the 30 years , there are
people here who knew John Canley never
wore a uniform , but he showed all of
us how to move , how to walk , how to
show courage , how to do the right
thing . If you were listening to the
citation earlier this morning , the
summary of actions speaks of the many
times that he would put himself in
danger , one to identify the enemy so
his marines can close with and destroy
Iraq . And then two , he would
walk with such calmness to pull his
marines out of danger . Those who were
wounded to get them out . But where did
he learn this stuff from ? Because
that's not technically what we teach ,
we teach cover , we teach maneuver when
the conditions are set . You see ,
there's this generation that keeps
building on each other and they do some
of the very similar things that John
Connolly did and that's care for each
other that it overtakes the procedure ,
what you're supposed to do because
marines , service members are in danger .
And so when you think about that and
you're like , here is the gunnery
sergeant of marines putting himself in
complete and utter danger to get after
it . And you fast forward two
generations . And not that long ago ,
you saw marines being exactly like John
Conley taught them to do , standing on
top of walls closing in on the long war
doing the same thing that John Conley
did looking through a sea of people
trying to find anyone else that they
can save and pull it to the other side
of that wall . Where do we find these
people ? They come from ? You ? They
come from these communities from us .
Isn't that awesome ? And so
now what now what do we do ?
John Conley gets to live forever and
that's exactly what it should be
because we , people like us get to
spend the rest of our careers trying to
live up to that fast amazing
career that he had in a life that he
had . And we keep falling short . And
although we wore the same chevrons , we
were equal , but we were not the same .
We were not even close . And so to the
crew . And so to the audience that's
here this morning , whether you wore a
uniform today or you have ever wore a
uniform today , we all will find
ourselves in our own version of John
Conley's seven days . But he has taught
us how to go through that , that if
it's about them , that if it's not
about you , that if it means taking
care of marines and sailors , then
courage follows Ura and he
shows up at the right place at the
right time . So to the crew , to
anyone who had anything to do with
building this ship , for those of you
who would carry this ship forward , the
marines are ready to get on it and do
some great stuff from it . Have a great
rest of your morning , U ra simplify .
Thank you , Sergeant Major Louise ,
ladies and gentlemen , General Joseph F .
Dunford , United States Marine Corps ,
retired .
Hey , ladies and gentlemen , it's an
honor to join this morning as we
commission the US S John Canley . And ,
and I'm particularly humbled to be here
with our medal of honor recipients . Um
Secretary Del Toro Sergeant Major Ruiz ,
our Vietnam veterans , and most
importantly , Patricia sergeant and
Victoria and the entire Canley family .
I'd like to begin by recognizing the
workforce here at Nasco and , and Mr
Carver , thanks to you and the team for
building an American made ship that is
worthy of the name John Conley . I'm
here today because of requests that
Serge Major Canley made before he
passed away . I was the chairman when
Sergeant Major Canley received the
medal of honor in the White House and
we spent some time together in
Washington DC . We also crossed paths
on a number of other occasions as he
continued to go out and visit marines ,
inspire marines and lead marines around
the corps . I feel really fortunate to
have met a true marine legend and I
learned more about Sergeant Major
Canley from a good friend , Bob Shaw
who's here today as a member of the
official party in the late 19 seventies ,
he served with Sergeant Major Canley
and the Third Marines in the decade
before that , Bob's father served with
staff Sergeant Canley in an onto
company . Both Bob and his dad
describes Major Canley as the epitome
of a marine leader . And that's of
course , the sentiment that is shared
by anyone who has ever served with SARD
Major John Canley . In our initial
engagement , I was struck by Sergeant
Major Conley's sincerity in his
humility . I was also struck by his
level of fitness and his command
presence . At 80 years old , he looked
completely ready to deploy with an
infantry battalion at that very moment .
And I found myself when he was in my
office looking down at my waistline and
wondering was I ready to go and I was
still in uniform ? But in time I gained
an appreciation for his commitment to
service in his character as well . And
I would also learn how he viewed his
medal of honor . His perspective was
captured in interview after the medal
of honor ceremony . And the interviewer
asked Sergeant Major Canley about his
extraordinary heroism . At Way City .
The Sergeant Major responded and I
quote , my troops would follow me
through their death . So if they might
die , what am I supposed to do from
Sergeant Major Conley's perspective ,
what he did at Way City in Kan was in
the sticker price of a marine gunnery
sergeant . In addition to being
understated sergeant Major Canley was
uncomfortable being singled out for his
actions in Vietnam . And he was also
offended by the lack of recognition
Vietnam veterans received when they
returned home . It's something that we
spoke about at length . So today , in
addition to recognizing Sergeant Major
heroism , I'd like to recognize the
broader legacy of John Conley and his
fellow Vietnam veterans . If Sergeant
Major Canley was with us today , I know
he would deliver a similar message . As
everyone knows , our Vietnam veterans
fought an unpopular war during a very
turbulent time in our nation's history .
And when they came home , there were no
speeches , there was no ceremonies and
there were no parades . The Hollywood
caricature of a Vietnam veteran was of
a draftee serving against his will who
came home and didn't quite fit in . Of
course , the facts tell us something
completely different . 75% of veterans
in Viet . Vietnam veterans were
volunteers who served simply because
they thought it was the right thing to
do in their record of honor , courage ,
and commitment at places like Way City
in Kan . That record speaks for itself .
And when Vietnam veterans came home ,
they became political leaders , chief
executive officers , policemen ,
firemen , teachers , and for decades ,
they were our scout leaders , our
coaches and our mentors . In a personal
note , I grew up in the shadow of
Vietnam veterans . For me , men like
John Canley were the big kids on the
corner growing up in the 19 seventies ,
they were my off my instructors at
officer candidate school . They were my
platoon sergeants when I was a platoon
commander and they were my confidants
when I needed leadership advice across
the core , John Conley and those
marines who stayed in uniform after the
war helped us overcome the readiness
and social challenges of the 19
seventies . They assume positions of
leadership and they built the core that
won the Cold War and Desert Storm .
And I'm equally confident that the
lessons learned from way city save
lives in places like Fallujah and
Ramadi . Ladies and gentlemen , it took
our nation a while to recognize it .
But our Vietnam veterans have left us a
very proud and rich legacy , John
Conley and his fellow Vietnam veterans
guided our military through tough times .
They helped the country mature and they
reminded us that freedom requires
sacrifice and that service to our
nation is honorable . Both points that
are good to remember during these
challenging times . So the John Conley
and the Alpha 11 Marines that are
gathered here today and to all Vietnam
veterans . Thank you . And I hope that
among other things , this ship behind
me reminds me that you are , in fact ,
welcome home in closing . I have a
simple message for the captain and the
crew . We've named this ship to Canley
in honor of gunnery sergeant , John
Conley's actions from 31 January to 6th
February 1968 . And I know that you'll
ensure future generations of young
sailors and marines are inspired by his
selfless and courageous leadership . I
have no doubt about that , but don't
let Sardon Major Conley's life be
reduced to one brief period of his
service . However , heroic , this ship
should sustain the memory of SARD Major
Can's nearly three decades of service
in uniform in his continued service
leadership and example , after taking
off the uniform , this ship should
sustain the memory of a humble civil
ser , a humble servant leader who left
a le legacy of marines some here today
that are proud to be called kly trained .
And this ship should remind us of
Sergeant Major Can Le's last message to
Captain Mays , those of you who know
him know he was pretty economical in
the use of words and he simply turned
to Captain Mays and said , take care of
the troops and that's what this ship
ought to remind us to do to take care
of the troops . Once again , thank you
so much for the privilege of being here
except for Dali and to the crew , the
US S John L Canley . And to those that
will sail a border fair winds in
following seas .
Thank you , General Dunford .
Ladies and gentlemen , our principal
speaker , the honorable Carlos Del Toro ,
the 78th Secretary of the Navy .
Good morning , San Diego . First . Let
me start off by thanking the chaplain
for providing us all perfect weather .
You know , the sergeant major thanked
me for allowing him to speak today as
if somehow that was not going to be an
option . But I will assure you that
this is the last time that I speak
behind the Sergeant Major of the Marine
Corps , as well as the former chairman
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff . Thank
you both for your extraordinary
impactful words . Uh For all of you
here today , it is a great honor for
me to be your 78 Secretary of the Navy
in service to all the men and women who
serve in our Navy and our Marine Corps
today . Before I begin my speech , let
me just simply say courage under fire .
Every American today here at this
ceremony and across this great land
that we call America has to be proud
of the men and women who serve in our
Navy and Marine Corps because if we
honor the Sergeant Major for everything
he did throughout those seven days .
And throughout his entire life , we
have to recognize that he served as an
inspiration to the over 40,000 marines
that are deployed today around the
globe . One third of our fleet is
underway and in the Red Sea over the
last 90 days , our sailors and our
marines have acted bravely
with courage under fire the way that I
think Sergeant Major would have wanted
them to do so , I'm extremely proud of
each and every one of them . You should
be as well . And I thank on behalf of
the president , the Secretary of
Defense and myself , all of you , the
American people . And I encourage you
to continue supporting these brave men
and women . And I encourage you all to
reach out to your own members in the
House of Representatives and ask them
to pass the supplementals that are
necessary over the next few weeks to
keep the government open , to keep all
these brave men and women employed and
supported the way they deserve to be as
well as our fellow brothers and sisters
in Ukraine who are so bravely today ,
fighting for democracy , not just for
themselves , but for all of us around
the world so that democracy will always
reign free everywhere . Thank you .
It's great to be here in Colorado .
Thank you at the
commissioning of this . Our fleet's
newest expeditionary Sea base us S John
Conley . And I'll tell you that when
this ship was first being thought of
nearly 30 years ago or so , I wasn't
necessarily the biggest fan of it . And
I will tell you that over these past 20
years , I have become the biggest fan
of these expeditionary sea base ships .
So to you , David , and you know that I
built a ship of our own and a shipyard
down south and lived in a shipyard for
a year and a half . This is hard work
and there's not enough ways to thank
your workers here at Nasco for the
spectacular job that they've done . So
it's all the shipyard workers . Thank
you so very much .
I extend again a warm welcome to our
ship sponsor and Sergeant Major Candy's
daughter , Miss Patricia Sergeant . As
well as you know , according to navy
tradition , the ship's sponsor , Spirit
and presence guides the sailors and the
marines and the merchant Mariners that
live and work and fight on board these
great ships . And I am confident from
all that I know about your father and
yourself and your granddaughter , that
you all his granddaughter , that you
all will be spectacular sponsors and
maid of honors for the brave men and
women who serve on this ship . I also
want to welcome the rest of Sergeant
Major Kelley's family , including
Victoria Sergeant who I mentioned , but
his sister , Annie and all of his
grandchildren , nieces and nephews here
with us today . It's wonderful to be
with you all . Welcome . Also to our
distinguished guests including Mr
Carver again , General Dunford . Sir .
Your leadership of our military service
when you served in our Marine Corps ,
when you served as commandant was truly
spectacular . Thank you , sir .
Hm . And
to Sergeant Major Candy's Marine Corps
Company during Vietnam Alpha Company
who are able to join us today . Thank
you for your presence for your selfless
service to our country and protection
of the freedoms that we hold most dear .
Vietnam veterans are particularly
important to me . I came here as a
Cuban American refugee and my first
home was in a rat infested tenement
building on 42nd street between 11th
and 12th Avenue in New York City . And
my first memory of Vietnam when I was
only four or five years old actually ,
was this endless line of soldiers who
stood across the street on 42nd street ?
And although I was too young to fully
comprehend and understood what it was
that they were doing there with their
satchels , they always seem to be just
waiting in line as marines , know how
to do sometimes , right ? Um But it was
when I became older and when I became
secretary just a couple of months ago ,
I asked my historian to actually look
into that . Why was it that those
soldiers were waiting in line and they
were waiting in line to go to Vietnam
on troop ships just like this as they
had before during Korea and World War
Two . That was my first understanding
of what it meant to go to war . And
throughout my life , I have vowed to
honor their service first by joining
the service myself , obviously , and I
served for 22 years by visiting joy
twice as well too and seeing firsthand
the struggles that they actually went
through and not just to pay them
tribute as we do here today , but to
learn the lessons of what they went
through , of what you went through and
to vow to apply those lessons so that
our men and women today in service in
uniform , whether it be the Navy , the
Marine Corps , the army , the Air Force
will never again have to struggle in a
similar fashion . So thank you . Thank
you to all of you who served in Vietnam
for your service .
Commanding officer , Captain Mays and
master , Captain Henry . You are the
two luckiest people on the face of the
earth today because you get to command
this great ship . And I know what
that's all about . And it's an
extraordinary experience as he told you ,
take care of your troops . That's what
matters most . And finally to the crew
of us S John Canley , the rest of our
navy team and our partners and industry .
Thank you for your unwavering support .
As was said , behind me is 784 ft of
warfighting steel named after an
incredible warfighter sergeant , Major
Candy's philosophy . Was . If today's
my day , then come get me . And as you
heard today , he certainly embodied
that philosophy . This ship is a United
States ship , a war fighting ship which
may be called to sail into harm's way .
One day us s John Canley increases the
capability of our navy , our Marine
Corps , our military sea lift team ,
strengthening our maritime dominance in
an uncertain time when the world looks
to the United States more so than ever
for guidance , strength and leadership
and we must deliver that to the rest of
the world . I want to take this time to
talk about the importance of sharing
stories as well , especially incredible
stories of Sergeant Major John Canley
who represents the very best of America
Black History Month . Of course , is an
opportunity to tell those stories and
pay tribute to the contribution of
African American service members and
civilians who selflessly dedicated
their lives to this nation courageously .
So while the legacy of African American
service members in the sea services
spans centuries , their stories often
went untold and they did not receive
the recognition that they often
deserved . This is certainly the case
with Robert B Smalls and Charles J .
French , for whom I named a cruiser and
a destroyer . This was also the case of
Sergeant Major Canley who was
originally awarded the Navy Cross for
his heroic actions at Hui City and
thankfully following an alpha company
reunion . Many years later , his fellow
marines and friend John Legato embarked
on a journey to ensure that this humble
leader received the credit that he so
deserved . This process of upgrading .
His award was arduous with seemingly
unsurmountable administrative hurdles
and miles of bureaucratic red tape .
But in 2018 , 50 years after the battle
of way City Sergeant Major , John
Canley receives the medal of honor and
he became the first African American
service member to receive the medal of
honor . While still living . We as
Americans have the unique opportunity
to tell the stories of Robert B Smalls ,
Charles J French and now John L Conley
and an obligation to learn from them
because we cannot only grow as a nation
as a fighting force by learning from
our history . Ultimately , our Navy ,
our Marine Corps , our nation are made
stronger by their diversity , diversity
of background , of experience and
diversity of thought , which ensures
that our ability to outthink outpace
and outmaneuver our adversaries forever
remain strong just as history matters .
Representation matters too . African
Americans make up 16% of our navy and
over 10% of our Marine Corps . It is
imperative that future generations see
themselves in our sea services that
they see . A man from Caledonia ,
Arkansas grow up to become a war hero
or a woman from Rochester , New York
become the first female chief of naval
operations or even an immigrant from
Cuba to become the first Cuban American
Secretary of the Navy because the next
medal of honor recipient or CNO or CIN
A might be in this audience today as
the world's problems grow increasingly
more complex and stability , more
uncertain , we need to tap into
America's most precious resource , all
of its people to solve the issues of
the future . And if any of you who've
served before , want to come back into
the service or any of any of you young
men and women want to join the service ,
come see me after the ceremony . In
fact , how about standing up right now ?
And I issue you the oath of office ?
I'd be happy to do so . Now I know
that's the spouses of some of you
veterans want you to come back into the
service too , so we can accommodate you
as well too now because
better technology and more ships will
go to waste without the courageous
Americans who will answer the call of
service to their country . The impact
of Sergeant Major Conley's legacy , of
course , will indeed extend far beyond
Black History Month . It is my firm
belief that us S John Canley will serve
as an inspiration to all who follow in
her wake . It is my sincere hope that
for those who come aboard this ship in
the United States Navy , the Marine
Corps Military Command , as they cross
that bow , they are also challenged to
live up to the unwavering devotion and
duty of this ship's namesake and a
special tribute to our merchant
Mariners more merchant Mariners died
in world war two than anyone else . And
today I'm proud that our United States
Navy and Marine Corps is out there
protecting not only the life of our own
service members but the life of those
innocent merchant Mariners from all
over the world , we have a
responsibility to protect them . I have
no doubt that throughout his service us .
S John Conley will display courage
under fire . Ladies and gentlemen ,
today is a historic day , John Conley
is joining the fleet and will
fearlessly sail as part of the world's
finest navy . The world's most powerful
navy and marine corps . Don't let
anybody ever tell you anything
differently . I wish you all fair winds
in following seas , especially these
courageous men and women who will serve
on board this ship . May God bless each
and every one of you , your families
and the United States of America .
Thank you .
Thank you , Secretary Del Toro . Sir .
I'd be honored if you place John O
Canley in commission . Captain Place
John L Canley in commission . Hi sir .
On behalf of the president of the
United States and for the Secretary of
the Navy , I hear my place United
States ship John L Canley in commission .
May God bless in God , this warship and
all who should sail in her .
Thank you , sir . No , sir . Executive
executive officer hoist the colors . A
commission Penne A sir
ship's company attention .
The commission pennant and professional
national navies began to take form .
Late in the 17 th century , all ships
at that time were sailing ships and it
was often difficult to tell a naval
ship from a merchantman . Navies
began to adopt long narrow pennants to
be flown by their ships at the main
mass head to distinguish themselves
from merchant ships . The commission
pennant will fly continuously until the
ship is decommissioned . Ladies
and gentlemen , please rise . I direct
your attention to the large screens as
we hoist the colors and commission
pennant ,
Navigator hoist the colors and
commission pennant . All right , ma'am .
Captain , the colors and commission
pennant are flying proudly over us . S
John L Canley .
Ladies and gentlemen , please be seated .
I will now read my orders from
commander , naval per military
personnel command to Captain Thomas A
A's United States Navy subject beer's
order number 95800 1 April 2023
when directed by reporting senior
detached from present duty and report
to us . S John L . Kenley as commanding
officer upon commissioning of us . S
John o'hanley report for duty as
commanding officer , Captain Hanbury .
I relieve you , sir .
Captain Murphy . I am relieved very
well by Senator mclean US S John
mccanley is in commission and I am in
command very well .
Executive officer set the watch . A sir ,
he two or bar
officer of the deck set the first watch
a man . The
officer of the deck is the commanding
officer's direct representative . And
while on watch is responsible for the
safe operation of the ship and the crew .
The long glass is the traditional
symbol of an officer of the decks
authority in a ship of the line . We
are honored to have Mr Robert W Shaw
with us today , a Marine corps veteran ,
former marine captain Shaw served with
Sergeant Major Canley in the first
battalion , third marine regiment . His
father also Robert Shaw served with
Sergeant major Canley on Okinawa from
1962 to 1963 .
Mr Shaw will pass the long glass to our
first officer of the jet of the deck
chief Bosun's mate , Katherine
Rauschenberg from Whi Wa Hawaii . The
petty officer of the watch is gunner's
mate third class Sherry Ma Perez from
Nast New Jersey . The messenger of the
watch is aviation support equipment
technician . Second class Bryton Croft
from Monroe Louisiana and the Bosun's
mate of the watch is Bosun's mate first
class Davin Arcy from Eva Beach ,
Hawaii .
Set the watch on deck section . One
ma'am . The watch is set very well
detail or
captain . The watch
is set very well .
We are delighted today to have our
sponsor with us , MS Patricia , a
sergeant . She has opened her heart to
this cruise imbued the ship with her
spirit and devotion . Patricia . I
would be honored if you would join me
up here and give the order to man our
ship . Thank you , Captain
Mays . I would like to bring my
daughter Victoria sergeant up to the
podium . She's a maid in honor of the
ship
to be able to give the order . I need
to give you some information in regards
to my father and some insight into his
thoughts and how he led .
My father understood that
greatness is not achieved by the
individual . It is achieved by the
courageous acts of the many
the marines of Alpha Company .
11 are an example of that
in what they achieved in the Battle of
Way City . And in that battle ,
my father earned their medal of honor
which now resides on the US S
John L Canley . This
ship will achieve greatness but it will
only do that by the courageous
actions of the many . It
is in honor
of my father , my
family ,
members of the 11
and the great people of the United
States that I
give the command
officers and crew of the US
S John L Canley
man our ship and bring
her to life .
Yeah ,
ladies and gentlemen , the crew of us
S John L Canley
salutes you .
We are proud to serve in America's Navy .
John L Conley ready to
will the guests please be seated ?
Mhm . Ok .
Yeah , captain
US S John L Canley is
manned and ready . Very well .
Faso mclean US , John Kelly is band
ready . Reports for duty . Very well .
Secretary Del Toro Chris , break your
flag , sir , break my flag , sir .
Xo break the flag of the secretary of
the Navy . A ay sir .
Navigator . Break the flag of the
Secretary of the Navy . All right ,
ma'am .
Captain , the flag of the Secretary of
the Navy is flying proudly over us S
John L Conley . Very well ,
ladies and gentlemen , Captain Thomas A
Mays United States Navy commanding
officer US S John L Conley
ship's company parade . Rest ,
good morning , everyone . And it's a
glorious morning . All right , I am
Captain Tom Mays United States Navy
Commanding officer of us S John L
Canley .
Thank you so much to the designed
representatives of our navy , our
community and industry who have joined
us here today to the members who have
joined me here on the platform . R
Anderson , Commodore Murphy , Captain
Dubard , uh Commodore Iwa uh Commander
Lauper Mr Carver and my good friend Tim
Roberts . Thank you , Chaplain Crab .
Thank you for your inspirational words
to re Admiral Peck Commodore Keillor
and the Navy tribes and leadership .
They have joined us today . Thank you
for witnessing our elevation to your
company to the veterans of the alpha ,
11 , I salute you and all you did to
keep the Gunny's legacy alive to give
him the recognition this nation owed
him to Captain Brad Coletti , command
master chief Cruz de Los Santos and all
those sailors who have been part of our
pre comm unit and moved on in the navy .
Thank you , General Dunford , Colonel
Moki , Colonel Vargas and Sergeant
Major Ruiz your presence here cements
our ship's tight and eternal bond to
serving the needs of the United States
Marine Corps . Thank you , Secretary
Del Toro and Vice mclean . I am blown
away that we can garner your support ,
your time and your presence on this
significant day in the life of our ship
to my friends , mentors and family ,
most especially my lovely wife ,
Kristen , my daughters , Isabel and
Gabrielle and my son , Gunner's mate ,
seaman apprentice Dylan Mays . I would
not be here without you and all you've
meant to my life . I owe you everything .
Thank you to our sponsors , Trisha and
maid of honor , Victoria . I can hardly
express how much you've meant to me ,
to these crews and what you will mean
to all the sailors will crew your
father's ship in all the years to
follow our thanks will never be enough .
Now with all the night he's taken care
of , I hope you'll excuse me as I have
a personal conversation with my crews ,
please a little privacy . Cover your
ears . No listening . Civilian
Mariners , the military Sea Lift
Command and the US S John O Conley ,
officers , chiefs and sailors of blue
and gold crews pay he
785 ft by 164
ft . That is our vessel's footprint
upon the seas , but it is not the
extent of her reach nor the measure of
her impact upon this world . The length
breadth and endurance of that impact
rests solely with you . And I with how
we back one another and how we handle
our charge to care for this vessel .
How we approach our sacred duty to
defend these United States . Our hulls
legacy was forged in Arkansas in 1937 .
It was hammered into form alongside a
very young , tall , imposing but humble
John Lee Conley and then shaped by the
US Marine Corps and the travails of
service . That legacy was tempered in
fire at h in 1968 . It is
finally annealed in the form of this
ship today with the grace of God . Our
legacy will extend decades into the
future with unknowable accomplishments
and challenges etched into her home .
Today , you are on the shining
precipice of those days to come and I
want you to survey all the myriad
possibilities with anticipation , hope
and eagerness to do what you know is
right . Y'all have just brought this
ship to life . That's not just a
metaphor to me . Her body is well and
strongly built of American steel right
here in San Diego . Her spirit lived
upon this earth for 83 years before her
first plank was laid imbued with honor ,
courage , and selfless sacrifice by her
namesake . But the life blood that
pumps through her veins that makes her
move that faces down the threats our
nations is confronted by that lifeblood
is you . None of this works without you .
I want you to take pride from that but
also appreciate the weight of that
responsibility . Our story together did
not start today for some of us have
began more than two years ago . So I
know , I know you now , I know how hard
you've worked to make this day a
reality . I know your courage , your
dedication and your resiliency . I am
both proud and humbled to be able to
count myself among your ranks . But I
know something you don't . I know
you're each individually capable of
even more and together like the stalks
of bamboo that flank our crest together ,
we can accomplish feats far greater
than the sum of our individual efforts .
Looking back , you will be amazed at
what we have done and will do ESP six .
Everyone who knows me knows , I love a
great story . We have it in us to add
further still to the well deserved
honors heaped upon the name of John L
Conley . Let us sail from here to serve
our embarked forces and excel at our
mission . To not just do the job but to
advance our story into epic history .
Thank you
chef's company attention .
Will the guests please rise and remain
standing for a musical tribute to our
ship's namesake , Sergeant Major John L
Conley followed by the benediction .
Let us pray
almighty and most holy God . And you we
trust remind us all dear Lord that none
of us got here by accident . Thank you
Lord for the high skill and amazing
ingenuity of all those dedicated
workers and planners and designers and
engineers and everyone who contributed
to this day . And the US S John L
Canley ESB six , please . God
bless this ship and all the men and
women who now serve and will serve
aboard its decks . Please watch over
their families and now to the US S
John L Conley its crew , all embark
personnel and to all gathered here
today . Please receive the blessing .
May the strength of God sustain you ?
May the power of God inspire you . May
the hands of God protect you , may the
way of God direct you and may the
presence of God go with you this day
and forever . Amen .
Thank you , chaplain Crabb . Ladies and
gentlemen , please be seated and remain
seated for the departure of our
platform guests .
Ok . Yeah .
Yeah .