Daniel Daly, Marine Who Earned Two Medals of Honor

Jan 12 , 2026

Daniel Daly, Marine Who Earned Two Medals of Honor

Sgt. Major Daniel Joseph Daly stood in the pouring rain, rifle cracked like thunder in his hands. Around him, chaos screamed—it was the Boxer Rebellion, summer 1900. One man, holding the line with nothing but grit, guts, and a heartbeat that refused to quit. No backup. No retreat. Just raw, relentless defiance.

The Making of a Warrior

Born in Glen Cove, New York, in 1873, Daly grew up tough—working-class grit sculpted his spine. Faith was not just words, but a lifeline. Though no pulpit preacher, he carried a deep, unshakable belief in duty and sacrifice. A Marine’s Marine, Daly’s code burned clear: protect your brothers. Never falter. Stand tall when ground crumbles beneath you.

That creed guided him through every hellscape he faced. Combat was a crucible, but for Daniel Daly, it was also redemption. He understood the weight of every shot fired and every life shielded.

The Boxer Rebellion: Holding the Line Alone

In June 1900, during the Siege of Peking, Daly’s unit faced a tidal wave of Boxer and Imperial Chinese forces. Amid the thick smoke and snap of gunfire, an alarm bell rang—not just of battle, but of stark survival.

Daly saw his comrades fall, one after another, their line breaking under enemy pressure. But the Sergeant dude didn’t blink. When a breach opened, he charged the enemy with rifle and bayonet, yelling to rally the Marines.

He then reportedly shouted, “Come on, you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?”—a call that would become legendary in Marine Corps lore^[1].

Against overwhelming odds, he held the wall. Not once, but twice. The citation for his first Medal of Honor reads:

For distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy at Peking, China, June 20-22 and July 12-13, 1900.

His grit helped turn the tide at a moment when order seemed lost.

The Great War: Valor Beyond Measure

Fast forward to 1918, in the mud-choked trenches of World War I, Sgt. Major Daly made his second mark at Belleau Wood, France. The battle became a Marine Corps legend—a brutal slog against German machine guns and artillery.

While leading his men through “No Man’s Land,” Daly threw himself in front of German attacks—sometimes single-handedly defending critical positions armed only with his rifle and a pistol.

His cool under fire and leadership fired up ragged Marines grappling with death and exhaustion.

He earned his second Medal of Honor for:

Extraordinary heroism while serving with the 6th Marine Regiment in action near Belleau Wood, France, June 6–10, 1918.^[2]

No other Marine, except Sgt. Major Daly, has been awarded the Medal of Honor twice for combat valor. A testament carved in blood and iron discipline.

Bearing the Weight of Recognition

Daly's medals were not trophies to him. They were reminders of those who didn’t come home. Fellow Marines whisper about the man behind the medals — fierce but fair, battalion heartbeat.

“He was the kind of guy who dragged us up when we were done,” said a comrade in an old interview. “Not just with words, but with proof — standing in the mud, shooting, bleeding alongside us.”

No glory hog, Daly let the scars speak for themselves. It was the vets, the fallen, and the cause that mattered.

Legacy Etched in Iron and Faith

His legacy is raw: courage not born from fearless youth but forged through battle-tested resolve. Daniel Daly’s story is a living blueprint for warriors and civilians alike.

Faith in something greater than himself, unyielding loyalty to brothers in arms, and an iron will to move forward despite dread and despair.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” — John 15:13

These words chase Daly’s shadow across generations. His valor reminds us all that redemption walks hand in hand with sacrifice.

He died in 1937, but his blood sings in the winds where Marines train. Daniel Joseph Daly wasn’t just a soldier; he was the living pulse of valor and grit—proof that real warriors do not hunt for glory. They fight to carve meaning out of chaos, to bear the burden so others may stand.

And that is why his story wars on—in battlefields, hearts, and timeless courage.

Sources

1. Marine Corps History Division, Medal of Honor Recipients: Boxer Rebellion 2. U.S. Army Center of Military History, Medal of Honor Citations: World War I