Daniel J. Daly, the Marine Who Earned Two Medals of Honor

Dec 18 , 2025

Daniel J. Daly, the Marine Who Earned Two Medals of Honor

He was a one-man wall against chaos. In the thick of hand-to-hand chaos, surrounded by furious enemies and screams, Sgt. Major Daniel Joseph Daly stood unyielding—his voice carried over the shots and shouts, rallying Marines with a fearless roar that etched his name into legend. The firefight’s hell was no match for the steel forged in his soul.

Background & Faith

Born in Glen Cove, New York, in 1873, Daly had saltwater in his veins. His working-class roots carved a man acquainted with hard work and harder choices. From the docks to the battlefield, the grit never left him. A Marine since 1899, he earned respect through relentless discipline and an unbreakable code of honor.

Faith wasn’t just a word for him—it was armor and compass. Raised Catholic, Daly lived by a creed found in battle and prayer alike. His reverence ran deep: “Blessed are the peacemakers,” but he knew peace was bought with sacrifice (Matthew 5:9). Amid carnage, that quiet conviction guided his steps.

The Battle That Defined Him

Daly’s first Medal of Honor came during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. At Tientsin, China, his Marines faced a brutal siege by a rising tide of insurgents. According to his citation, he “distinguished himself by his bravery and heroic conduct” while carrying messages under heavy fire, refusing to bend or falter. It was a baptism of fire showing a Marine’s grit in the face of overwhelming odds.[^1]

Yet, the real forge was The Great War.

In June 1918, during the Battle of Belleau Wood, Daly earned his second Medal of Honor. American troops faced German forces entrenched in a forest riddled with machine guns and barbed wire. Daly again stormed forward, rallying his men with explosive fervor. Reportedly, when others hesitated, Daly’s voice thundered, “Come on, you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?”[^2] That war cry shattered fear, sparked action, and saved lives.

He led charges that reclaimed lost ground, ignoring wounds, setting a ruthless pace for the Marines behind him. The streets of Belleau Wood became his crucible. He was the steel spine of the regiment, exposing himself to withering fire to inspire others. His leadership didn’t just win territory—it rebuilt broken men into warriors.

Recognition & Praise

Two Medals of Honor. That’s a line drawn in blood few toe. Daly’s first citation noted his “distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy.” The second, from Belleau Wood, lauded his “extraordinary heroism in combat” that “inspired his men at crucial moments.”[^3]

General John Lejeune, Commandant of the Marine Corps, said of Daly:

“Dan Daly is the most outstanding Marine I have ever known. His courage and devotion to duty are legendary.”[^4]

His peers called him the “Fighting Marine.” He was a man both feared and loved on the front. The scars on his body told a brutal story; his voice told another—a story of a warrior who carried the burdens of leadership with every step.

Legacy & Lessons

Daly’s legacy is a trench dug deep into the bedrock of Marine ethos. Courage wasn’t just charging into bullets. It was holding that line when hope thinned. It was speaking truth even when surrounded by death. It was a fire that refused to go out, no matter the cost.

His life cuts to the marrow of what it means to serve: sacrifice without promise of glory, valor wrapped in duty.

In a world quick to forget the price tag of freedom, Sgt. Maj. Daniel Daly stands a beacon—a reminder etched in scars and steel that true heroism demands more than courage; it requires conviction.

“I have fought in many battles,” he once said, “but no fight is worth more than the life of a brother.” His story echoes still—a call to stand firm, to carry scars with honor, and to keep fighting the good fight.

“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

[^1]: U.S. Marine Corps History Division, Medal of Honor Recipients: Boxer Rebellion [^2]: Charles H. Bogart, First to Fight: An Inside View of the U.S. Marine Corps [^3]: Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Citations: Daniel J. Daly [^4]: John A. Lejeune, Marine Corps Commandant’s Letters and Speeches