Daniel J. Daly Two-Time Medal of Honor Marine Who Held the Line

Jan 12 , 2026

Daniel J. Daly Two-Time Medal of Honor Marine Who Held the Line

The air burned thick with gunpowder and desperation. Men fell like wheat before the scythe. Amid the chaos, one figure stood firm on the ramparts—not just holding the line, but rallying the shattered few with a voice that cut through fear itself. Sgt. Major Daniel J. Daly was that man. Bloodied, unyielding, a living testament to sacrifice etched in scars and raw courage.

Background & Faith: Born of Grit and Gospel

Daniel Daly was forged in the rough streets of Glen Cove, New York—tough as the cobblestones and just as unrelenting. Born in 1873, he joined the Marine Corps in 1899, a young man chasing something more than survival.

His courage wasn’t born in battle alone. He carried a steadfast faith deep in his marrow. One that anchored him when chaos threatened to unravel everything. "Even in darkest nights, His light guides the steps of the steadfast," he would have known well. His code was simple: stand firm, protect your brothers, defend the helpless. It was a gospel writ in the mud and smoke of war.

The Battle That Defined Him: Recklessness Forged in Fire

In June 1900, during the Boxer Rebellion in China, Daly found himself defending the foreign legation quarter in Beijing. The Boxers swarmed like locusts, hell-bent on slaughter. Here, Daly performed an act that became legend.

With grenades hurled at enemy lines, he charged through a barrage to face down the tide. His Medal of Honor citation reads simply:

"For extraordinary heroism in battle, while serving with the Marines during the Boxer Rebellion."

But that’s not the half of it. The legend tells how Daly’s fearless engagement turned the tide that day, buying time and hope against overwhelming numbers[1].

The War to End All Wars: Valor Reborn in the Trenches

World War I saw Daly rise again. Age would not dim his edge. At the Battle of Belleau Wood in 1918, his leadership was brutal truth in action.

When his platoon wavered under withering machine gun fire, Daly did the unthinkable. According to his citation:

"...single-handedly attacked a German machine gun nest, inspiring his men to rally."

He charged through barbed wire and bullets, destroyed the nest, and dragged wounded comrades to safety. Such raw bravery earned him a second Medal of Honor—one of only nineteen men in U.S. history to receive the medal twice[2].

Recognition: A Warrior Respected by All

Daly's citations read like a map of valor. The first Medal of Honor for his fearless defense during the Boxer Rebellion[1]. The second, for his unmatched gallantry at Belleau Wood[2]. Not just his medals, but the respect of Marines and generals alike.

General John A. Lejeune once said of Daly:

"No finer fighting man has ever served the Corps."

A man who did not seek glory, but whose deeds forced history to recognize him. His courage was not thunderous showmanship but steady iron—unyielding, relentless.

Legacy & Lessons: Courage that Transcends Time

Daly's story is carved into Marine Corps lore, yes. But his true legacy runs deeper. Courage is not absence of fear, but triumph over it. Sacrifice is never quiet—it screams in the charge, whispers in the prayer for fallen brothers.

He fought not for medals but for each man beside him; not for personal glory, but for a higher calling etched in scripture:

"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

In Daly, you find the story of all veterans: scarred bodies, haunted minds, but spirits unbroken.

We owe them more than thanks. We owe them remembrance—not just of their battles, but of their humanity. Sgt. Major Daniel J. Daly’s name is blood on the page of American valor, a flame passed from warrior to warrior. His fight was not just on distant battlefields, but against despair itself. He showed us how to stand when all falls down.

Sources

1. Naval History and Heritage Command – Medal of Honor Recipients: Boxer Rebellion 2. U.S. Marine Corps History Division – Medal of Honor Citations: Daniel J. Daly and the Battle of Belleau Wood