1 00:00:00,180 --> 00:00:01,450 - [Gen. Robert B. Neller] Think back 2 00:00:01,450 --> 00:00:03,500 to before you came into the Marine Corps. 3 00:00:04,318 --> 00:00:06,199 (slow dramatic music) 4 00:00:09,940 --> 00:00:12,223 At some point, you saw or met a Marine, 5 00:00:14,090 --> 00:00:17,953 and you thought, do I have what it takes to be one of them? 6 00:00:20,450 --> 00:00:23,733 So you made the commitment, you accepted the challenge, 7 00:00:24,740 --> 00:00:27,740 and your first act of demonstrating faithfulness: 8 00:00:27,740 --> 00:00:29,270 you swore to protect and defend 9 00:00:29,270 --> 00:00:31,543 the Constitution of the United States. 10 00:00:33,540 --> 00:00:38,540 As a Marine, for hours upon hours, focused on one thing, 11 00:00:39,250 --> 00:00:40,140 you worked hard 12 00:00:41,170 --> 00:00:42,003 fighting, 13 00:00:43,420 --> 00:00:44,810 training, 14 00:00:44,810 --> 00:00:45,643 sweating, 15 00:00:46,730 --> 00:00:49,010 refining that warrior spirit, 16 00:00:49,010 --> 00:00:50,310 earning that EGA. 17 00:00:50,310 --> 00:00:54,393 - [Drill Instructor] You know what it means for me to give you that. 18 00:00:54,393 --> 00:00:55,802 - [Drill Instructor] You're here now, right? - [Recruit] Yes, sir. 19 00:00:55,802 --> 00:00:57,249 - [Drill Instructor] This world, you understand? - [Recruit] Yes, sir. 20 00:00:57,249 --> 00:00:58,123 - [Drill Instructor] That will only be inside, 21 00:00:58,123 --> 00:00:58,989 you got it? - [Recruit] Yes, sir. 22 00:00:58,989 --> 00:01:00,337 - [Drill Instructor] Understand? 23 00:01:00,337 --> 00:01:03,283 - [Neller] Ensuring you'd be worthy of the title, 24 00:01:04,220 --> 00:01:05,053 Marine. 25 00:01:06,080 --> 00:01:07,503 You joined your first unit. 26 00:01:09,090 --> 00:01:10,690 You worked at learning your MOS. 27 00:01:13,640 --> 00:01:15,740 You listened to the NCOs and other leaders 28 00:01:15,740 --> 00:01:17,090 as they led and shaped you. 29 00:01:18,520 --> 00:01:20,220 You received your first promotion. 30 00:01:21,800 --> 00:01:23,770 And a second promotion. 31 00:01:23,770 --> 00:01:26,270 And with each promotion, your responsibilities increased 32 00:01:26,270 --> 00:01:29,500 just like others' expectations of you. 33 00:01:29,500 --> 00:01:33,043 You were proud but you knew that nothing was getting easier. 34 00:01:34,340 --> 00:01:36,323 Life, the mission. 35 00:01:37,330 --> 00:01:38,950 All of it. 36 00:01:38,950 --> 00:01:40,050 And then you deployed. 37 00:01:41,050 --> 00:01:42,560 And you were focused. 38 00:01:42,560 --> 00:01:43,960 The mission was clear. 39 00:01:43,960 --> 00:01:45,323 The challenges were there. 40 00:01:46,600 --> 00:01:49,500 You were there with your friends and the rest of the unit. 41 00:01:50,580 --> 00:01:51,863 The sorrow, the joy. 42 00:01:53,290 --> 00:01:55,009 All of it became real. 43 00:01:55,009 --> 00:01:58,720 (melancholic piano solo) 44 00:01:58,720 --> 00:02:01,333 Not just lessons and stories from NCOs. 45 00:02:03,560 --> 00:02:04,710 And then you came home. 46 00:02:09,070 --> 00:02:10,823 And you prepared to do it again. 47 00:02:11,800 --> 00:02:12,633 And again. 48 00:02:14,590 --> 00:02:16,440 And maybe there were more promotions. 49 00:02:17,440 --> 00:02:20,430 Maybe you fell in love and started a family. 50 00:02:20,430 --> 00:02:22,170 And now the new Marines are looking to you 51 00:02:22,170 --> 00:02:24,370 for advice and leadership. 52 00:02:24,370 --> 00:02:27,410 And like those before you, you taught, you trained them, 53 00:02:27,410 --> 00:02:29,143 you led them well. 54 00:02:30,270 --> 00:02:32,903 And then seemly, overnight, there you are. 55 00:02:34,870 --> 00:02:36,333 And now this is you. 56 00:02:38,630 --> 00:02:39,593 Still a Marine. 57 00:02:41,690 --> 00:02:44,470 Continuing to demonstrate your faithfulness 58 00:02:44,470 --> 00:02:45,403 to our Corps, 59 00:02:47,290 --> 00:02:48,203 our country, 60 00:02:51,330 --> 00:02:52,293 and to each other. 61 00:02:54,840 --> 00:02:56,463 You are semper fidelis, Marine. 62 00:02:58,476 --> 00:03:01,252 (soft music) 63 00:03:13,213 --> 00:03:16,190 (melancholic piano music) 64 00:03:26,750 --> 00:03:29,123 Every Marine needs to see these wheat fields. 65 00:03:33,260 --> 00:03:37,450 On the 6th of June 1918, Marines crossed the line 66 00:03:37,450 --> 00:03:40,960 of departure and attacked the west side of Belleau Wood, 67 00:03:40,960 --> 00:03:43,610 charging through this field through heavy enemy fire. 68 00:03:45,110 --> 00:03:47,160 They paid a high price for their bravery. 69 00:03:49,730 --> 00:03:53,433 But they fought and they won, because they were Marines. 70 00:03:55,360 --> 00:03:57,360 Because they were led by people like 71 00:03:57,360 --> 00:04:01,030 Gunnery Sergeant Fred Stockham, a man who gave his gas mask 72 00:04:01,030 --> 00:04:04,360 to a fellow Marine, an action of self-sacrifice 73 00:04:04,360 --> 00:04:07,040 which earned him the Medal of Honor. 74 00:04:07,040 --> 00:04:10,973 1918 is a proud year for our Marine Corps. 75 00:04:12,690 --> 00:04:14,570 While Marines led the way in Belleau Wood, 76 00:04:14,570 --> 00:04:16,820 new Marines were stepping up at home. 77 00:04:16,820 --> 00:04:18,910 The first female Marines joined our ranks, 78 00:04:18,910 --> 00:04:21,723 bolstering our force during a time of war. 79 00:04:22,660 --> 00:04:25,100 For 100 years, they have served faithfully, 80 00:04:25,100 --> 00:04:27,430 helping win battles around the globe 81 00:04:27,430 --> 00:04:30,163 including recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. 82 00:04:31,153 --> 00:04:33,830 100 years ago they answered the nation's call 83 00:04:33,830 --> 00:04:36,883 and they have been serving faithfully ever since. 84 00:04:37,860 --> 00:04:40,570 This dedication to victory is something we can trace back 85 00:04:40,570 --> 00:04:42,483 to every conflict in our history. 86 00:04:43,600 --> 00:04:44,823 It defines us. 87 00:04:45,830 --> 00:04:48,980 It defines warriors like Gunnery Sergeant John Canley, 88 00:04:48,980 --> 00:04:51,040 a leader who led from the front. 89 00:04:51,040 --> 00:04:53,100 With his Marines outnumbered, he pushed forward 90 00:04:53,100 --> 00:04:54,603 during the battle of Hue City, 91 00:04:55,890 --> 00:04:58,610 standing tall during firefights and throwing himself 92 00:04:58,610 --> 00:05:01,023 into harm's way to keep his fellow Marines safe. 93 00:05:01,950 --> 00:05:04,763 - [John Canley] The only thing I was doing was just responding. 94 00:05:05,610 --> 00:05:09,860 The Marines, the young Marines, it shows them that 95 00:05:11,470 --> 00:05:14,823 it's not do as I say, it's do as I do. 96 00:05:17,800 --> 00:05:22,800 Just being that close with 'em brings motivation to 'em. 97 00:05:25,468 --> 00:05:29,600 - [John Ligato] During firefights when we'd be all huggin' mother earth, 98 00:05:29,600 --> 00:05:32,330 he'd be standing up directing us. 99 00:05:32,330 --> 00:05:35,990 And I think if you talked to every Alpha Company Marine, 100 00:05:35,990 --> 00:05:39,490 we're amazed that he was never shot. 101 00:05:39,490 --> 00:05:44,060 - He is individually and uniquely responsible for saving 102 00:05:44,060 --> 00:05:47,350 the lives of a lot of good, young Marines. 103 00:05:47,350 --> 00:05:50,080 - [Canley] My legacy was about taking care of Marines 104 00:05:51,290 --> 00:05:54,140 because I don't think that there was anyone 105 00:05:54,140 --> 00:05:57,503 that was more demanding than Gunnery Sergeant Canley. 106 00:05:58,930 --> 00:06:00,610 - [Announcer] The President of the United States, 107 00:06:00,610 --> 00:06:02,840 in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in awarding 108 00:06:02,840 --> 00:06:04,560 the Congressional Medal of Honor 109 00:06:04,560 --> 00:06:06,640 to Gunnery Sergeant John L. Canley, 110 00:06:06,640 --> 00:06:07,990 United States Marine Corps. 111 00:06:09,293 --> 00:06:13,600 - [SgtMaj Green] For 243 years, Marines have fought and won 112 00:06:13,600 --> 00:06:16,173 whenever and where'er our nation calls. 113 00:06:17,330 --> 00:06:21,340 In the harshest conditions, over the most brutal terrain, 114 00:06:21,340 --> 00:06:23,530 and against the most formidable enemies, 115 00:06:23,530 --> 00:06:28,530 Marines defend the ideals of freedom with grit and tenacity. 116 00:06:28,980 --> 00:06:30,570 - [Neller] Though battlefields will change 117 00:06:30,570 --> 00:06:33,820 and capabilities evolve, history tells us 118 00:06:33,820 --> 00:06:36,423 that true victory comes from the individual Marine. 119 00:06:37,490 --> 00:06:39,870 A Marine with steeled resolve, 120 00:06:39,870 --> 00:06:42,450 the drive to overcome any obstacle 121 00:06:42,450 --> 00:06:45,783 and the warrior spirit to fight and win against all odds. 122 00:06:47,130 --> 00:06:49,410 - [Green] That is how battles are won. 123 00:06:49,410 --> 00:06:52,460 It takes a steadfast faithfulness. 124 00:06:52,460 --> 00:06:53,993 Semper fidelis to Corps, 125 00:06:55,960 --> 00:06:57,410 country, 126 00:06:57,410 --> 00:06:58,610 and each other. 127 00:06:58,610 --> 00:07:00,080 - [Neller] Happy birthday, Marines. 128 00:07:00,080 --> 00:07:01,443 - [Green] And semper fidelis.