Sergeant Adam Leigh Cann, a Marine K9 handler a few weeks shy of his 24th birthday, was killed by a suicide bomber in Ramadi on January 5, 2006, one of the bloodiest days in Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003. He was the first Marine K9 handler killed in action since the Vietnam War.

Adam Cann Memorium copy

A graduate of South Plantation High School in Davie FL, Adam Leigh Cann knew how to make people laugh. He could imitate anyone, whether South Park characters or officers. He loved playing practical jokes.

Adam was always laughing, always responsible, striving to excel, always loving his family, serving his country, and cheering on his Miami Dolphins.

Immediately after graduating high school Adam joined the Marines and worked his way up to sergeant with the military police. He served with a K-9 unit used for security and was in charge of five other K-9 units spread between five bases.

Sergeant Adam Cann was assigned to Security Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.  During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).  Sergeant Cann was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.

“Adam and I served in Japan together for 7 months and then we did my first deployment to Ar Rutba Iraq together,” said Christopher Baity, Semper K9’s Founder & Executive Director. Baity and Cann served together in the USMC, both were MWD handlers.

Our Executive Director Christopher Baity (middle) with Morris Earnest (left) and Adam Cann (right) in Okinawa 2002.
Our Executive Director Christopher Baity (middle) with Morris Earnest (left) and Adam Cann (right) in Okinawa 2002.

Read more about Adam here: https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/marine-sgt-adam-l-cann/1459367

 

Baity with his youngest children, Abram, and Ava Leigh leaving a coin at Adam’s headstone.
Baity and his youngest son Abram
USMC MWD Handler Reunion in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery
Image from Semper K9s children’s book ‘Norman’ which includes a photo of Baity & Cann in Iraq.

 

Please remember to keep all of our fallen heroes in your thoughts.