How Marine Sgt. Major Daniel Daly Earned Two Medals of Honor

Jan 28 , 2026

How Marine Sgt. Major Daniel Daly Earned Two Medals of Honor

The roar of gunfire drowned out every thought—except the one that burned deep inside him: keep moving forward. Sgt. Major Daniel Joseph Daly, Marine Corps legend, did just that. Two Medals of Honor. Twice he stood on hell’s edge and answered the call without hesitation. Fearless. Relentless. A warrior rooted in faith and grit.

The Battle That Defined Him

China, summer of 1900. The Boxer Rebellion pitched Marines against a vicious insurgency bent on expelling foreign influence. The city of Tientsin became a crucible of fire and blood. Under blistering fire, Daly’s squad faltered. But Daly? He charged forward—alone. Four times he braved deadly crossfire to cut a path through the chaos, rallying his men by sheer force of will.

It wasn’t bravado; it was survival. “Come on, you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?” he bellowed, a call etched into Marine Corps lore. Those words carried weight—not because they were crude, but because they were true.

Background and Code

Born in Glen Cove, New York, in 1873, Daly lived by a code forged in hardship and faith. The streets taught him toughness; the Marine Corps taught him honor. He was a devout Catholic, grounded by scripture and prayer. His faith was no mere formality—it was the backbone of his courage and compassion.

“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

This scripture echoed in his heart through battles and despair. Daly’s leadership wasn’t just brawn; it was spiritual steel. He was a father figure to young Marines, a steady presence amid chaos.

Valor in the Great War

World War I turned the world to ash. Daly, long since promoted to Sergeant Major, found himself in the mud of Belleau Wood, 1918. The fight here was different—trenches, gas attacks, and endless artillery barrages. But his valor never wavered.

On June 3, 1918, during a pivotal Marine assault, Daly again grabbed the spotlight of heroism. When attacks faltered and men hesitated, Daly threw himself into the breach. He braved machine-gun fire, led counterattacks, bore the scourge of combat with unyielding resolve. His actions inspired a force to press on where others might have broken.

Words of Comrades and Command

Marine Corps history remembers Daly not just for medals but for the fire in his eyes.

Major General Smedley Butler, himself a two-time Medal of Honor recipient, called Daly “the epitome of the fighting Marine.” A living symbol of toughness tempered by humility.

His Medal of Honor citations read like a blueprint for courage:

“For extraordinary heroism in combat and leadership above and beyond the call of duty.”

Daly’s second Medal of Honor came with praise rare among warriors—even among the Corps’ fiercest fighters. A man who earned it twice was no ordinary soldier.

Legacy Etched in Blood

Daly’s story isn’t relic or boast. It’s the gritty truth of sacrifice and relentless service. His life teaches a brutal but necessary lesson: courage isn’t the absence of fear; it is the mastery of it. He gave voice to every soldier who fights not for glory but for brotherhood.

His legend endures, not in the medals pinned to his chest, but in the Marine’s invisible armor: honor, courage, and commitment.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” — John 15:13

Daniel Joseph Daly walked the crucible twice—and neither time wavered. The scars he earned remain silent testaments to sacrifice, a reminder that freedom costs blood. That those who march into hell do so knowing God stands with them.

Today, vets and civilians both owe him more than respect. They owe him remembrance. The story of Sgt. Major Daly is a prayer etched in fire: that we fight with valor, lead with faith, and live with purpose beyond ourselves.