This Expeditionary Sea Base ship is named for retired Marine Sergeant Major John Lee Canley for his actions at the Battle of Huế in 1968 — and who, 50 years later, was the first living Black Marine to receive the military’s highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor.

This will be a memorable event not only for the greater San Diego community but especially for the members of the USS JOHN L CANLEY’s Blue and Gold crews and their families. The Navy Commissioning Ceremony enables Americans to celebrate the success of their investments. The Commissioning Ceremony will occur at Naval Air Station North Island in early February 2024.

The events supporting the commissioning are not paid for by the U. S. Government but are privately funded by corporations and individuals through the Coronado Council of the Navy League, a non-profit organization. Additional Commissioning Ceremony information is available at: https://johnlcanley.com/.