Daniel Daly's Two Medals of Honor from Tientsin to Belleau Wood

Dec 05 , 2025

Daniel Daly's Two Medals of Honor from Tientsin to Belleau Wood

The rain burned like hellfire, steel screamed in the night, and still, Daniel Daly stood his ground. Alone against a tide of enemies, he raised his rifle and his voice, rallying Marines like a cornered lion. This wasn’t just grit—it was a war cry that saved lives. Two Medals of Honor don’t come from luck; they come from blood and an unbreakable will.

From Brooklyn Streets to Battle Scars

Born in 1873, Daniel Joseph Daly grew up rough around the edges in a tough Irish-American neighborhood. The streets taught him survival, but the Corps gave him purpose. Faith wasn’t just prayer; it was armor. Daly lived by a code forged in grit and grace, a belief that courage was owed to your comrades, not just yourself.

He once said about Marines:

“Come on, you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?”

Words that echo through every rank—raw, fearless, pulling men forward when death pressed hard.

His faith wasn’t flashy. It was the quiet strength behind the roar. The Psalms and Proverbs marked his journals and letters—a steady compass through the madness of combat.

The Boxer Rebellion: Valor in The Streets of Tientsin

July 1900. The Boxer Rebellion raged in China, a maelstrom of chaos and ferocity aiming to kick out foreign powers. In Tientsin, Daly faced unrelenting assaults from a desperate enemy. The odds stacked like a wall against him and his Marines.

During a brutal street fight, Daly performed acts of valor that would carve his name into history. He led vigorous counterattacks, securing vital ground despite intense fire. His leadership radiated calm amidst sheer terror.

For this, he earned his first Medal of Honor:

“For extraordinary heroism in action near Tientsin, China, 13 July 1900.”

His citation pinpointed his relentless courage under siege, holding positions critical to American and allied forces’ survival.[1]

The Battle of Belleau Wood: The Legend is Cemented

World War I spun a new nightmare. The 1918 Battle of Belleau Wood in France became the crucible for Marine Corps legend. Daly, now Sgt. Maj., was the seasoned warrior at the heart of grinding misery and explosive combat.

American forces slogged through thick woods under relentless German artillery and machine gun fire. Marines were exhausted, pinned down, yet Daly again refused to yield. In one known incident, when Marines needed a charge, he shouted to the men:

“Come on, you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?”

Lines surged forward, seizing the wood. His grit rallied a withering unit to victory.

His second Medal of Honor citation explained:

“For extraordinary heroism in action near Verdun, France, 24-25 June 1918. Displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.”[2]

Warriors Recognized, Life Etched in Brotherhood

Daly’s unique status as a two-time Medal of Honor recipient places him among the purest warriors. His decorations include the Croix de Guerre from France and the Marine Corps Brevet Medal—testimony from allies and comrades alike.

General John A. Lejeune, Commandant of the Marine Corps, called him:

“The outstanding Marine of the First World War.”

No praise handed lightly.

Forged in hellfire and saved by sheer will and faith, Daly’s legacy shaped the ethos of the Corps for generations. He embodied a truth etched in scars: lead from the front, fight for those beside you, never quit.

Blood, Sacrifice, and Redemption’s Flame

Daly’s story isn’t polished myth. It is the grime of war, sweat, blood spilled for survival, for country, for each other. And beneath that battered helmet, a man walking the narrow path of redemption and honor.

“Greater love hath no man than this,” the scripture whispers, hanging over every act he took—sacrifice measured not in medals, but in moments given for brothers in arms.

Sgt. Maj. Daniel Joseph Daly died in 1937, but his unwavering spirit lingers, a beacon for veterans and civilians alike. In a world chasing comfort, his story commands: stand firm, bear your scars, live with purpose.

He did not want to live forever. He wanted to live free and leave a legacy worth the cost. Every Marine who crosses the battlefield after him carries that flame—raw, relentless, redemptive.

“Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be afraid of them, for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you.” — Deuteronomy 31:6

Sources

1. U.S. Marine Corps History Division + Medal of Honor citations: Daniel J. Daly – Boxer Rebellion 2. U.S. Army Center of Military History + Medal of Honor citations: Daniel J. Daly – WWI, Belleau Wood