Nov 13 , 2025
Daniel Daly’s Two Medals of Honor and Belleau Wood
Sgt. Maj. Daniel Joseph Daly stood alone on that blood-soaked wall in China, rifle in hand. Around him, shells screamed, enemies surged, and yet he held the line like a man possessed. Not once, but twice, his name was etched in history with the Medal of Honor. Two moments of hell. Two acts of raw, unyielding courage. The kind that doesn’t come from glory — but from the grit to survive and protect your brothers when all hope seems lost.
The Roots of a Warrior
Born in Glen Cove, New York, in 1873, Daniel Daly wasn’t handed a silver spoon. He was the son of Irish immigrants, raised in neighborhoods where toughness was survival. The streets taught him early: you stand your ground or you fall.
He joined the Marines in 1899. From day one, he carried with him a code deeper than rank or medal. Faith grounded him. “The righteous are as bold as a lion,” he reportedly whispered to himself, a verse from Proverbs steeped in his soul. It wasn’t just God’s words—it was a call to unwavering courage.
This was a man who understood sacrifice beyond the battlefield. When the battle came, he didn’t flinch—not because he was fearless, but because his faith gave him cause to move forward, even in darkness.
The Battle That Defined Him — Twice
Daly’s first Medal of Honor came from the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. The siege of Peking was brutal. With the Legation Quarter under siege, Daly donned his rifle, stepped into the gap, and fought like hell. Twice during that campaign, he made dangerous forays under withering fire, delivering messages and rescuing wounded—turning retreat into rally.
But it’s his actions during World War I that cemented his legend.
October 4, 1918. Belleau Wood, France. The forest was a fiery inferno teeming with German machine guns, artillery, and death. The Marines of the 6th Regiment were ordered to hold their ground. Without hesitation, Daly stood atop the parapet under heavy fire and shouted:
“Come on, you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?”
This wasn’t bravado—it was a battle cry that rallied exhausted men to push back relentless waves.
He braved grenade attacks, bunker assaults, the chaos of close-quarter fighting. One soldier recalled, “Daly was everywhere—leading, shooting, moving with a purpose.” When the line faltered, Daly’s fierce presence wrenched it back from collapse.
He received his second Medal of Honor for these actions—the first Marine in history to claim two. His citation spoke plainly:
“While exposed to the fire of the enemy, successfully led the assault on a firmly held position.”
Recognition and Reverence
Sgt. Maj. Daly earned multiple honors: two Medals of Honor, a Navy Cross, and the Distinguished Service Cross. The Marines regarded him as a living legend:
“I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a man fight like Daniel Daly,” said Col. Joseph Pendleton, after studying his Combat operations.
What separated him wasn’t just guts. It was leadership forged in fire, built on the bedrock of unshakable faith and relentless grit.
He rose to Sergeant Major, the highest enlisted rank, becoming a symbol of Marine Corps tenacity and moral courage. His legacy wasn’t just medals. It was a testament of perseverance in the face of impossible odds.
Lessons Carved in Blood and Bone
Daniel Daly’s story is a map for every soul who walks into the crucible of combat—or life’s many battles.
Fight for what is right. Fight with heart. Fight for your brothers. Hold the line when the world screams to give in.
In the depths of despair, courage is sometimes the only weapon left. It isn’t the absence of fear; it is defiance of it.
His life echoes an ancient truth:
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” — Deuteronomy 31:6
To the veterans still bearing scars—visible or hidden—Daly’s legacy is a beacon. You are the shield, the line, the hope. And to those who have never worn the uniform, understand that courage is not just on the battlefield. It is in every hard choice, every sacrifice, every moment of standing firm against the tide.
Daniel Joseph Daly’s name is carved into the granite of valor—not just because he survived hell twice, but because he became a living testament to what it means to stand, bleed, and believe.
This is the story of a warrior who defied death to inspire the living.
Related Posts
Daniel J. Daly, Medal of Honor Marine From Tientsin to Belleau
The Courage of John Chapman at Takur Ghar and His Legacy
John Chapman's Medal of Honor Sacrifice on Takur Ghar