Dec 11 , 2025
Daniel J. Daly, the Marine Who Earned Two Medals of Honor
Bullets screamed overhead. Men fell like cut wheat. But there he stood—unyielding, relentless—charging forward with nothing but gut and grit. Sgt. Major Daniel J. Daly lived for moments like this. In that hell, you either become legend or become another forgotten body in the mud.
Background & Faith
Born in Glen Cove, New York, in 1873, Daniel Joseph Daly was the embodiment of the Marine Corps’ creed before he ever donned the uniform. The son of Irish immigrants, his roots were humble but steeped in a fierce pride and unbreakable work ethic. Daly wasn’t just shaped by hard fists and cold streets; he was forged in faith and a devotion to country.
His belief was simple: a warrior’s duty extended beyond the battlefield. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,” comforts those grappling with loss and violence (John 3:16). Daly carried that quiet conviction with him, grounding his resolve amid chaos and carnage.
The Battles That Forged a Warrior
Daly earned his first Medal of Honor during the Boxer Rebellion in China, 1900. When the allied legations were under siege in Peking, Daly held the line with a shocking ferocity. According to his citation, he “distinguished himself by meritorious conduct and extraordinary heroism during the entire siege of the foreign legations” — standing guard for nearly two months under ceaseless attack¹.
Years later, the world plunged into a greater war. In the muddy trenches of Belleau Wood, France, on June 26, 1918, Daly famously bellowed the words that would echo through history: “Come on, you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?” Rallying his men against an overwhelming German assault. Against shells and machine-gun fire, he dashed forward single-handedly, knocking out enemy positions, and inspiring his Marines to hold the line².
His second Medal of Honor was for this fierce leadership under fire in WWI — a rarity in Marine Corps history. Only two Marines have earned the Medal twice, both for jaw-dropping valor under impossible odds. Daly’s example was not just courage; it was an unbreakable will to sacrifice and protect his brothers-in-arms at all costs³.
Recognition — Honors Carved in Blood
Two Medals of Honor. The Navy Cross. Multiple citations for valor. Daly’s rank of Sgt. Major crowned a distinguished 37-year career. He became a living legend within the Corps, respected by peers and commanders alike.
General Smedley Butler, a fellow double Medal of Honor recipient, once said of Daly:
“No Marine ever deserved the Congressional Medal of Honor better than Sergeant Major Daniel Joseph Daly.“
His awards were more than metal—they were testimonies to a man who refused to quit, refused to leave anyone behind.
Legacy & Lessons Etched in Time
Sgt. Maj. Daniel J. Daly’s legacy runs deeper than medals. It’s carved into the soul of every Marine who has worn the Corps’ emblem since. His story teaches us the brutal truth: true courage is the defiant stand in the face of overwhelming fear and imminent death.
His leadership reminds us that valor isn’t just moments of heroism. It is the quiet, steadfast refusal to surrender when all hell breaks loose. It is the sacred burden to carry your fellow warriors through fire, pain, and chaos.
Daly’s life was a testament to redemption through service. His faith, his grit, his unyielding spirit modeled a path for others to follow—not just on the battlefield, but in the battles of life and death all men and women face.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
War will scar every man, but some leave a legacy so fierce it burns beyond their lifetime. Sgt. Maj. Daniel J. Daly did not live forever, but because of his sacrifice, because of his sacrifice, he made all of us a little braver. His story is a beacon to those wrestling with fear, hardship, and the grinding grind of combat.
His blood-soaked valor cries out: stand. Fight. Carry the fallen. Live with purpose beyond the war.
And maybe that’s what it means to truly live forever.
Sources
1. Marine Corps History Division, Medal of Honor Citation - Daniel J. Daly, Boxer Rebellion 2. U.S. Army Center of Military History, Battle of Belleau Wood Report, June 1918 3. "Sergeant Major Daniel J. Daly, USMC" – Marine Corps University Press, The Marines’ Medal of Honor
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