Daniel Daly, the Marine Who Earned Two Medals of Honor

Nov 18 , 2025

Daniel Daly, the Marine Who Earned Two Medals of Honor

Sgt. Maj. Daniel Joseph Daly stood in a hail of bullets—alone, fearless, unyielding. Twice he earned the Medal of Honor. Twice he stared death in the eye and spat defiance. A warrior molded by fire and faith, he carried the scars of battle like badges of raw truth. His story is carved into American history, etched alongside men who walked through hell and came out wielding valor as their only weapon.

Born With Steel in His Veins

Daly was a Brooklyn street kid raised tough—not by choice, but by necessity. He enlisted as a private at 17 in 1899, digging trenches, fighting his own doubt. Faith grounded him, a quiet backbone in the chaos. He once said, “I’ve seen a lot of hell, but the Lord’s with me wherever I go.” Discipline and honor weren't words to toss around; they were his lifeline. In a world gone mad, he clung to a code forged long before bullets flew—a code that said, never leave a brother behind, no matter the cost.

The Boxer Rebellion: A Baptism in Blood

In 1900, the streets of Tientsin burned. Daly, then a corporal, took a stand that would echo through Marine Corps history. During the Siege of the Legations, amid swirling chaos and the cacophony of Chinese rebels closing in, Daly manned a machine gun with unmatched fury. When comrades faltered, he surged forward alone, firing relentlessly until enemy forces broke. His Medal of Honor citation recounts “distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy” during 20 June to 4 July—actions that saved lives and exemplified Marine grit.¹

World War I: The Second Medal and the Legend Grows

Fourteen years later, the Great War’s mud and bloodfields called Daly once more. As a sergeant major with the 23rd Company, 5th Marine Regiment, American Expeditionary Forces, he wielded leadership like a sword. During the Battle of Belleau Wood in June 1918, his voice rose amid the roar of artillery and the screams of the dying—rallying men to hold a fragile line. When a detachment hesitated, Daly charged into the frontline trenches, inspiring them forward.

His second Medal of Honor citation tells this brutal truth: “He encountered a party of German soldiers close to the front lines after they had captured a portion of the woods, and charged them, killing two and capturing one.” The ferocity and calm resolve he displayed sealed his name forever as a warrior of unique valor.²

The Medals and the Man: Recognition Beyond the Ribbon

Daly’s two Medals of Honor are rare—only 19 men have ever received that distinction twice. The first, earned in China, recognized unflinching courage under siege. The second, in France, honored his fearless offensive spirit against overwhelming odds.

But medals don’t capture the man. Fellow Marines revered Daly for more than battlefield heroics. Legend holds he once barked to his Marines, “Come on, you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?” A truth wrapped in raw grit.³ His leadership style wasn’t soft—nor did it pretend war was clean. It was blood and sweat, sacrifice and survival.

Legacy: The Warrior’s Lasting Lesson

Daly’s story is not one of glory, but of relentless duty. He carried wounds—visible and invisible—bearing the load of every man who fought beside him. His life speaks to the brutal cost of combat and the faith needed to endure it.

He lived by a creed as old as war itself: Stand firm. Lead from the front. Never quit. His scars whisper a prayer for every veteran who battles far beyond the firefight—against despair, loss, and the fading memory of purpose.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” — Deuteronomy 31:6

Daly did not fight for medals. He fought for the man next to him—the brother who needed a hand, a voice, a reason to keep fighting. And in doing so, he left a legacy far beyond ribbons or history books. His legacy is redemption through sacrifice—the brutal truth that courage is forged in suffering and given to those brave enough to carry it forward.

Sources

1. Marine Corps History Division – Medal of Honor Citations: Sgt. Maj. Daniel J. Daly, Boxer Rebellion. 2. U.S. Army Center of Military History – Medal of Honor Recipients: Daniel Daly, World War I. 3. Smithsonian Institution – Marine Corps Legendary Quotes and Oral Histories.