Daniel Joseph Daly, Marine Who Twice Earned the Medal of Honor

Jan 12 , 2026

Daniel Joseph Daly, Marine Who Twice Earned the Medal of Honor

The smoke choked the air. Bullets whipped past. Sgt. Major Daniel Joseph Daly didn’t hesitate. Twice in his life, he stared death down and spat defiance. Twice, he earned the Medal of Honor for actions so fierce and fearless, Marines still tell his story with reverence. His name is a battle-scarred echo across history—a raw testament to relentless valor.

The Making of a Warrior

Born in Glen Cove, New York in 1873, Daly came from humble roots—steel-willed, working-class, grounded in the grit of everyday struggle. He fought poverty and hardship the same way he fought enemies: with eyes wide open, jaw set firm, no excuses.

His faith was quiet but real. A warrior who wore Scripture in his soul like armor:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9

His code was unshakable—lead from the front. Protect your brothers. Meet violence with unbridled courage. For Daly, honor was life itself.

The Battle That Defined Him

First, the Boxer Rebellion in China—1900. American forces pinned in a siege. Daly was a Private then, a thin man with a lion’s heart. During the battle at Tientsin, when the line faltered and panic threatened to erupt, Daly stood shoulder-to-shoulder with his Marines, grabbing the colors of the 1st Marine Regiment. Gunfire hammered, yet he ran forward, planting the flag, rallying the troops with his indomitable spirit.

The Medal of Honor citation reads: “For distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy... straight forward in advance of his battalion... the envied mark of a fearless warrior.” [1] No hesitation in the chaos—just raw, steady courage.

The Fight That Forged a Legend

World War I — the battlefield changed, but not Daly’s code. At Belleau Wood, June 1918, the Marines faced war’s brutal new face. Machine guns roared, trenches churned mud with blood. Daly, now a Gunnery Sergeant, found himself amid a squad losing ground. Commanding presence intact, he charged through enemy fire to rescue fallen comrades. His voice rose above the roar:

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

That line has rippled through Marine Corps legend ever since.

During the Meuse-Argonne Offensive later that year, Daly was again at the heart of battle, leading men through the nightmare. His tenacity and grit are etched in the official accounts and his second Medal of Honor citations. [2]

Honors Worn Like Scars

Daly earned two Medals of Honor—one of only 19 Americans ever to do so. The first, for conspicuous gallantry at Tientsin. The second, for extraordinary heroism in WWI. Beyond medals, he was promoted to Sergeant Major, the highest enlisted rank, respected as a mentor and a bulwark of Marine valor.

Fellow Marines spoke of him with awe:

“Daly was the embodiment of our spirit — fearless, loyal to a fault, a warrior who never left a man behind.” — Marine Corps historical accounts

His life was the embodiment of semper fidelis—always faithful.

The Legacy That Bleeds On

Daniel Daly’s story isn’t just about medals or battlefield glory. It’s about raw courage hammered from sacrifice and pain. About a man who lived the Marine Corps creed long before it was chiseled into stone.

He fought in the mud, in city streets, in the thick of hell, leading by example. He knew the cost. He paid with scars—visible and invisible. His legacy is a mirror for every warrior who ever faced impossible odds.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” — Matthew 5:9

Daly’s wars remind us that peace is not a given. It’s won in blood and sweat, carried by the sacrifices of men who refuse to cower.

In the end, Daniel Joseph Daly’s life is a story of redemption stamped in iron and fire. Not just a Marine but a brother, a leader, a man who stood when others fell. Remember his grit. Honor his sacrifice. Carry his legacy forward—because courage like his never dies.

Sources

[1] Naval History and Heritage Command – “Medal of Honor Recipients: Boxer Rebellion” [2] Marine Corps History Division – “Daniel Joseph Daly, Two-Time Medal of Honor Recipient”