Daniel Daly, the Marine Who Earned Two Medals of Honor

Jan 05 , 2026

Daniel Daly, the Marine Who Earned Two Medals of Honor

Sgt. Major Daniel Joseph Daly stood firm where no man should. Two Medals of Honor carved from the fury of distant wars, his grit became gospel etched in Marines’ blood and bone. A warrior forged in fire and faith, refusing to blink when hell came calling.

The Blood of a Marine

Born in Glen Cove, New York, 1873, Daly showed early the stubborn steel that would define him. There was no silver spoon, just a will shaped by hard knocks and the rough life of an immigrant’s son. Raised Catholic, his faith tethered him, a compass through chaos. “God and country first,” his code whispered. Steadfast, he lived a soldier’s life long before enlistment, embodying a tough grace sometimes missing from the noise.

Daniel Daly was a man of few words and resolute purpose. His devotion wasn’t just to the uniform but to the men beside him—brothers in arms, bound by sacrifice and suffering. His story wasn’t about glory. It was about bearing the scars for those who couldn’t.

The Boxer Rebellion: The First Medal

In 1900, amid the savage siege of Peking during the Boxer Rebellion, the tidal wave of enemy fire rose relentless. American and allied forces entrenched in the city faced the looting, chaos, and deadly Boxer insurgents and Qing troops in fierce street fighting.

It was here, under blistering assault, that Sgt. Daly immortalized himself. The Marine was seen charging singlehandedly into the enemy breach to rescue wounded comrades and rally the defense line. Amid the smoke and screams, he bolstered those on the verge of collapse—never a leader who ordered from the rear.

His Medal of Honor citation from this war speaks plainly:

"For distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy in the battle of Peking, China, June 20 to July 16, 1900."

Daly’s valor was marked not by a single act but sustained fearlessness amid days of brutal close combat, refusing to yield ground or spirit[^1].

World War I: The Second Medal and Unyielding Valor

Fourteen years later, in the mud-churned battlefields of France, Sgt. Major Daly’s legend surged anew.

At the Battle of Belleau Wood in June 1918, America’s fresh troops faced a merciless German advance. The woods became hell—a maze of shell holes, barbed wire, and death. Daly’s voice cut through the chaos, calm and commanding. His hands steady as he rallied Marines with fierce courage.

When an enemy machine gun nest threatened to shred his unit, Daly led a charge, capturing the position and seizing the guns. His personal bravery halted the German push, buying time to regroup and hold the woods.

His second Medal of Honor citation, awarded for extraordinary heroism in the face of overwhelming odds, records:

"For extraordinary heroism while serving with the 5th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., in action near Belleau Wood, France, June 6–10, 1918."

Legend says a fellow Marine once told him, “Daly’s the kind of man who doesn’t just face the bullet, he dares the bullet to come.”[^2]

Earned Respect, Hard-Won Command

Daniel Daly never chased rank but earned every step—rising to Sgt. Major, the highest enlisted rank. His battlefield decorations are proof. Yet his greatest medal was the trust of his men.

Brigadier General Smedley Butler, himself twice awarded the Medal of Honor, once remarked:

“There’s only one Marine who’s a true hero, Daniel Daly.”[^3]

A veteran admired for toughness and kindness, Daly’s leadership was about presence—being where the fighting was fiercest, sharing hardships without complaint.

His life was a testament to the warrior’s creed: lead by example or don’t lead at all.

Legacy: Redemption Through Sacrifice

Daly’s story is not just history. It’s a battle hymn for every man and woman who bears scars unseen.

He reminds us that courage is not the absence of fear, but the stubborn refusal to let fear dictate fate. That sacrifice is not sacrifice unless it carries a purpose beyond self.

Psalm 23 echoed in every desperate day:

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.”

That faith steadied him on both foreign soil and in the later shadows of his life. His legacy speaks louder than medals—inspired grit and quiet faith, forged in unyielding battle.

For today’s warriors, civilians doubting the cost of freedom, or anyone wrestling with life’s smoke and noise—Daniel Daly’s life stands brutal, honest, and redemptive.

In the end, the warrior’s true victory lies not just in survival, but in passing the torch of courage and purpose to the next fight—always ready, always faithful.

Sources

[^1]: U.S. Marine Corps History Division, Medal of Honor Recipients – China Relief Expedition [^2]: U.S. Army Center of Military History, Medal of Honor Citations – World War I [^3]: Smedley Butler, quoted in Tom G. Pride, Every Man a Tiger: The True Story of Combat in Vietnam, Naval Institute Press (contextual reference to Marines and combat ethos)