Camp Pendleton Marine vets awarded Bronze Star Medals for actions in Vietnam War

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – After 54 years, three Camp Pendleton Marine veterans have been awarded the Bronze Star Medals for his or her actions in the course of the Vietnam Battle.

Late January, 1968, in Vietnam, marked the month-long Battle of Hue, one of many bloodiest of the Vietnam Battle.

When Sergeant Main John Canley’s commanding officer was severely wounded, Canley led the 150-man Alpha Firm of the 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment.

“He was on a distinct airplane than all of us. He was completely fearless,” mentioned John Ligato III.

Armed with grenades, Canley charged enemy machine gun nests, permitting his fellow Marines to flee whereas he rescued the wounded.

In 2018, he turned the primary dwelling Black Marine to obtain a Medal of Honor. Earlier than he handed away in Might, he pushed for different Marines to get the popularity they by no means acquired after the warfare, recognition that has lastly arrived.

“On the time, it’s complete chaos. You do not have time to assume,” mentioned Ligato.

Ligatro, a Camp Pendleton infantry rifleman who fought alongside Canley within the Battle of Hue, supplied cowl for Canley throughout his heroic cost, and through a battle at a church advanced.

“I took lead with one other Marine, and in a number of, 3 or 4 of the school rooms, we engaged in close-quarters fight,” mentioned Ligato.

Just a few weeks in the past, at MCRD San Diego, Ligato and two different Pendleton Marine veterans who fought alongside Canley, acquired the Bronze Star. Canley had submitted the award packages earlier than he died. On the ceremony, Ligato felt delight for his fellow Bronze Star recipients and one other feeling.

“In some methods, I really feel responsible concerning the Bronze Star,” mentioned Ligato.

Ligato says he can not help however take into consideration all of the junior enlisted Marines who fought in that battle and others in the course of the Vietnam Battle and have by no means been acknowledged.

“It is not truthful. Each Marine that I served with and noticed in Hue might have gotten no less than a Bronze Star,” mentioned Ligato.

Ligato hopes his award will result in a wide-ranging overview of valor for enlisted personnel who served in the course of the Vietnam Battle.

“The heroism was superb and fixed, they usually have been unrecognized for his or her valor,” mentioned Ligato.

Amongst these attending the ceremony at MCRD: the household of the late John Canley.

As for Ligato, after the warfare, he went on to work for the FBI and has authored six completely different books.