Martin Joseph Canavan, Jr.
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army

Martin Joseph Canavan, Jr. was the son of Martin Joseph Canavan, Captain, U.S. Marine Corps, and a veteran of World War II and the Korean War.

On 29 March 1969, Staff Sergeant Martin Joseph Canavan, Jr. was serving with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), in South Vietnam.

On that day, SSG Canavan was leading a platoon involved in a mission in enemy-dominated terrain in Tay Ninh Province. Having just made a combat assault into the area, SSG Canavan's Company A set up a defensive perimeter prior to constructing a landing zone. As the first supply helicopters approached the site, the enemy opened fire on the company with small arms, automatic weapons and rockets. After the initial barrage, SSG Canavan was placed in charge of the 3rd platoon with instructions to assist the 1st and 2nd platoons, who had received the brunt of the attack. He placed his men to lay down protective fire under which the 2 threatened platoons could withdraw to safety. He then led a squad to remove the injured men in the killing zone. When increased bombardment forced his squad to pull back, he called in air strikes and artillery to silence the enemy. After leading an assault on the wood line, where the enemy lay entrenched, he seized the opportunity offered by the advance to evacuate the wounded and dead who were stranded after the first attack. When the bodies had been removed and the wounded given emergency treatment, SSG Canavan pulled his troops back to avoid further casualties. In a last minute effort to reach another wounded man pinned down in the open by enemy fire, SSG Canavan was hit by enemy fire. SSG Canavan's extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Bronze Star Medal (Merit) with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Purple Heart with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Martin Joseph Canavan, Jr. (ASN: US-56707321), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company A, 2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Staff Sergeant Canavan distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 29 March 1969 while leading a platoon involved in a mission in enemy dominated terrain in Tay Ninh Province. Having just made a combat assault into the area, Sergeant Canavan's company set up a defensive perimeter prior to constructing a landing zone. As the first supply helicopters approached the site, the enemy opened fire on the company with small arms, automatic weapons and rockets. After the initial barrage, Sergeant Canavan was placed in charge of the third platoon with instructions to assist the first and second platoons, who had received the brunt of the attack. He effectively emplaced his men to lay down protective fire under which the two threatened platoons could withdraw to safety. He then personally led a squad to remove the injured men in the killing zone. When increased bombardment forced his squad to pull back, he called in air strikes and artillery to silence the enemy. After organizing and leading an assault on the wood line, where the foe lay entrenched, he seized the opportunity offered by the advance to evacuate the wounded and dead who were stranded after the first attack. When the bodies had been removed and the wounded given emergency treatment, Sergeant Canavan pulled his troops back to avoid further casualties. In a last minute effort to reach another wounded comrade pinned down in the open by enemy fire Sergeant Canavan was struck down by intense enemy fire. Staff Sergeant Canavan's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2028 (June 9, 1969)

Honors

The name Martin J Canavan Jr is located on Panel 28W Line 78 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Staff Sergeant Martin Joseph Canavan, Jr. is buried at Mountain View Memorial Park in Barstow, San Bernardino County, CA, in Plot: 14, 03, 01.

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