Nov 04 , 2025
Daniel James Daly Two-Time Medal of Honor Marine at Belleau Wood
Blood on the sand and bone in the mud—this was the crucible that forged Daniel James Daly.
A hand grenade lands yards away on a ragtag knot of Marines and allies in China. The bomb's hiss is a promise of death. Daly, a gunnery sergeant then, jumps forward, picks it up, and heaves it back into the enemy ranks—no hesitation, no fear. Lives saved. That moment, raw and unforgiving, carved his name into Marine Corps legend.
The Roots of a Warrior
Born in Glen Cove, New York, 1873, Daly was a man of no frills but iron will. Raised with blue-collar grit and a deep well of faith, his moral compass was fixed by both family and scripture. “Blessed are the peacemakers,” not as a call to passivity but a mandate for courage in the fiercest storms.
He believed the fight was righteous when it protected the helpless and upheld honor. The Marine creed of relentless duty became personal gospel. Twice wounded, twice bearing scars, he earned respect not just for valor but ferocious loyalty to his brothers in arms.
The Boxer Rebellion: First Medal of Honor
In 1900, China’s Boxer Rebellion erupted with savage vengeance against foreigners and missionaries. Daly, part of the naval expedition, found himself entangled in a brutal, seven-month siege in Tientsin.
Pinned under constant attack, Daly's mettle showed. When enemy fire threatened to overrun his position, he twice charged alone into the enemy, grabbing grenades to toss back or hurling furious bayonet attacks. His citation states:
“For extraordinary heroism in battle, including carrying the wounded Sgt. Peet to safety while under fire.”
His valor saved lives and stoked the Marine legend growing around his name. Few knew the toll—the quiet suffering behind the roar of gunfire.
The Great War: Holding the Line in France
World War I brought new hell. In 1918, at the Battle of Belleau Wood—an inferno that cemented the Marine Corps' reputation—then Sergeant Major Daly again proved unshakable.
Enemy machine guns swept fields soaked in mud and blood. The line wavered under shellfire. Daly, sword in hand, roared at his Marines to rally. When two lines buckled, he charged single-handedly.
“Come on, you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?”
The words echoed and shook cold fear into steel resolve. This was no empty bravado. Daly grabbed an enemy machine gun and fired point-blank. The assault faltered and eventually broke.
This raw grit earned him a second Medal of Honor—the first Marine to receive this distinction twice.
Recognition Etched in Blood and Honor
Two Medals of Honor, numerous accolades—and something rarer still: the fierce respect of every Marine who knew him. Official records document his awards with precision:
- Medal of Honor, Boxer Rebellion: For heroism in Chinese siege, 1900^1^. - Medal of Honor, World War I: For valor at Belleau Wood, 1918^2^.
His contemporaries recall a man humble in victory but ferocious in defense of others. Gen. John A. Lejeune described Daly as “an example of what the old Corps is all about.”
Legacy of Sacrifice and Redemption
SgtMaj Daly’s story is not just of bullets and medals, but a testament to the inexorable cost of war—and the spirit that outlasts it. His courage was not an isolated flame but a beacon passed down through generations.
Scars are not shame, Daly showed us. They are reminders that the cost of freedom is measured in flesh and blood, and that redemption lives in the battle to protect others—day after day, fight after fight.
“I have fought not for glory, but because there was no other choice.”
His faith, his scars, and his raw humanity whisper to every veteran and civilian alike: there is purpose in the pain, and honor in sacrifice.
“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
Sources
1. United States Marine Corps History Division — Medal of Honor Recipient Citation: Daniel J. Daly. 2. “The Marines’ Battle at Belleau Wood,” Marine Corps University Press, 2012.
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