Daniel Daly the Fighting Marine Who Earned Two Medals of Honor

Nov 11 , 2025

Daniel Daly the Fighting Marine Who Earned Two Medals of Honor

Sgt. Maj. Daniel Joseph Daly Jr. stood ankle-deep in chaos, bullets stitching the air and fire licking the sky. The Boxer Rebellion’s streets were a warzone. Around him, men fell, screams swallowed by gunfire. But he didn’t flinch. He charged. He led. He lived fiercely—so others could survive.

The Making of a Warrior

Born in Glen Cove, New York, in 1873, Daniel Daly was no stranger to hard knocks. The grit of a blue-collar upbringing carved a backbone iron-willed and unyielding. His faith was quiet but steadfast—a compass rooted in the Psalms, grounding him through war’s darkest nights.

He took his oath not just to country but to a higher calling. “Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight” (Psalm 144:1). This scripture was more than words—it was the bedrock of his valor and sacrifice.

The Battle That Defined Him

In 1900, the Boxer Rebellion in China boiled over. Daly was with the Marines during the Siege of Peking. The enemy encircled the Legations, an inferno of bullets and desperation. When the situation turned dire, Daly didn’t just stand his ground—he made a stand that few could match.

Armed with a Colt and a shotgun, Daly reportedly quelled a massed Boxer attack, firing with unrelenting fury. His Medal of Honor citation reads, “In the presence of the enemy during the battle of Peking, China, 20 July to 16 August 1900, Sergeant Daly distinguished himself by his courageous conduct.” [1]

Two decades later, the trenches of World War I became his crucible. At Belleau Wood, June 6, 1918, the Marines faced withering German fire. Minute after minute, with machine guns whirring and rifle rounds sparking metal, the Marines pushed forward.

Here, Sgt. Maj. Daly cemented a legacy immortalized in Marine Corps lore. Under withering fire, Daly grabbed a rifle and led a charge to retake a crucial position, exhorting his men to press on despite staggering losses.

His second Medal of Honor was for “extraordinary heroism in action near Belleau Wood, France,” showcasing “utter disregard of his own life and fearless leadership.” [2]

Recognition Forged in Fire

Few have ever worn two Medals of Honor. Even fewer earned them in such grueling circumstances—one in hand-to-hand urban combat in China, the other in the brutal trenches of Europe.

Commanders respected his raw courage. Comrades revered his grit. Legend has it, after one battle, fellow Marines called Daly "the Fighting Marine," a title reflecting his relentless spirit and refusal to yield under fire.

His awards, however, tell only part of the story. Daly was also awarded the French Croix de Guerre with palm, a testament to his valor recognized by allies on foreign soil.

“We face death as a matter of course,” he reportedly said. “But it ain’t about dying—it’s about making sure the next man gets home.” [3]

Legacy Written in Scars and Sacrifice

Daniel Daly’s battlefield stories aren’t just tales of heroism. They are lessons in leadership forged amid carnage and fear. He understood sacrifice was raw and relentless, not a moment frozen in time but a lifetime carried in scars.

Daly’s faith carried him through years after combat, reminding veterans of a purpose beyond war’s bloodshed.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

His legacy is a beacon for soldiers struggling through the trial by fire—proof courage isn’t born in safety but in the hellfire of sacrifice. He demands we remember the cost of freedom is written in grit, in faith, and in a willingness to stand tall when the world falls apart.

Daniel Joseph Daly died in 1937, but his spirit stands eternal—etched into the soul of every Marine who walks into battle, a relentless testament to courage, honor, and the redemptive power of sacrifice.

His story is more than history. It’s a solemn charge to the living: to fight without fear, lead without hesitation, and carry the legacy of those who bore the worst of war for our tomorrows.

Sources

1. U.S. Marine Corps History Division, “Medal of Honor Citations: Daniel Daly - Boxer Rebellion” 2. U.S. Army Center of Military History, “Medal of Honor Recipients: World War I – Daniel J. Daly” 3. Marine Corps Gazette, Retelling of Daly’s battlefield remarks and legacy, 1920-1930 editions