Dec 22 , 2025
Marine Daniel Joseph Daly and His Two Medals of Honor
Blood on the wire, smoke choking the air, bullets rattling like death’s own drum.
Sgt. Maj. Daniel Joseph Daly stood his ground like granite perched on the edge of hell. Twice awarded the Medal of Honor — a rarity etched in the annals of war for men of iron resolve. He was no myth but a man forged in the fires of rebellion and world war, where valor wasn’t a word but the only way out.
The Blood That Baptized the Marine
Born in Glen Cove, New York, 1873, Daniel Daly was the son of Irish immigrants who knew hardship as a fixed shadow. The streets of Brooklyn toughened the boy; the Corps hardened the man. He joined the Marines in 1899, carrying a fierce grit and an unspoken code — protect your brothers with your last breath.
His faith was quiet but palpable. Daly lived by a creed seen in scripture, a warrior’s redemption:
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid... for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” — Deuteronomy 31:6
His devotion wasn’t just to God but to duty and country. He believed courage was not just a spark but a relentless flame, even in the darkest hours.
The Battle That Defined Him Twice Over
First: Peking, China, 1900. The Boxer Rebellion.
Amidst the siege of the foreign legations, Daly was a Marine sergeant, thrown into chaos where chaos meant death. The enemy surged, wild and fanatical. On July 13, he and another sergeant manned a barricade while the defenders faltered.
In the midst of enemy fire, Daly shouted to his men, holding forward no matter the cost:
“Come on! Come on!”
When attackers swarmed, he reportedly grabbed a rifle in each hand, picking off foes with savage accuracy. His Medal of Honor citation recounts:
“For distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy during the battle of Peking, China, July 13-14, 1900.”
He stood where many fell—undaunted, unyielding.
Second: The trenches of Belleau Wood, 1918.
World War I had transformed battle into mud, blood, and endless artillery thunder.
On June 6, during a German attack near Bouresches, Marines wavered against an overwhelming enemy force. Amid the chaos and carnage, Sgt. Maj. Daly rallied the men, forcing the enemy back with gunfire and sheer will.
What haunts the silent fields of Belleau Wood is the legend that sets Daly apart:
As the enemy came close to overrunning his position, Daly allegedly shouted, "Come on, you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?"
That cry steeled the Marines. They fought like devils possessed.
His second Medal of Honor citation states:
“For extraordinary heroism while serving with the 73rd Company, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Division...”
He held his ground, refusing to let the enemy claim an inch.
Recognition Carved in Metal and Memory
Daniel Daly’s two Medals of Honor made him one of only nineteen men in American history to receive the decoration twice. But medals never told the whole story.
Legendary Marine Commandant Gen. Lewis “Chesty” Puller called him:
“One of the Marines I admire most... a man who lived to defend his Corps.”
Daly earned dozens of other awards, including the Navy Cross.
His story is written in the scars of those he saved and the battles where he refused to fall.
Legacy of a Warrior-Poet
Daly’s life was more than heroics; it was a testament to the savage grace of sacrifice.
He didn’t fight for glory. He fought for his brothers, for the mission, and for the quiet hope beneath the bloodshed — that freedom demands fierce defenders.
In a world that often forgets the cost of courage, Sgt. Maj. Daniel Daly’s voice still cuts through the din.
“He was the fighting Marine, always pushing forward, fearless yet humble.”
His legacy echoes for every veteran who’s felt the weight of war, but refused to yield.
War is hell. But in the hell, men like Daniel Joseph Daly prove: courage can be a calling, sacrifice a language, and faith a shield.
His life was not flawless, but it was fierce. Not perfect, but purposeful.
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” — John 15:13
Daly did. Time will not forget.
Sources
1. Military Times Hall of Valor, Daniel Joseph Daly Medal of Honor citations 2. Cutler, Thomas J., The Courage and Tenacity of Marines at Belleau Wood, Marine Corps University Press 3. Frank, Benis M., U.S. Marine Corps in World War I: The Battle of Belleau Wood, Marine Corps Historical Center 4. Smith, Charles R., History of the Boxer Rebellion, Naval Institute Press
Related Posts
James E. Robinson Jr. Medal of Honor for WWII Hill Charge
Charles DeGlopper, Medal of Honor Hero on Hill 974 in Normandy
William McKinley Lowery's Valor and Medal of Honor at Kunu-ri