Sergeant Major Daniel Daly, Two-Time Medal of Honor Recipient

Nov 04 , 2025

Sergeant Major Daniel Daly, Two-Time Medal of Honor Recipient

The day Sergeant Major Daniel Joseph Daly stood alone in the teeth of enemy fire, holding the line on a battlefield soaked with blood, he carried more than a rifle—he carried the weight of every life behind him. A warrior forged in fire, unyielding in spirit, and fearless to the point of legend. His story is not just about medals worn but about the soul tested under hell’s relentless gaze.

From Brooklyn Streets to Marine Corps Steel

Born in 1873, Daniel Daly grew up in the rough edges of New York City, a boy shaped by grit and the promise of salvation beyond the gutters. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1899, a fresh soldier stepping into a world teetering on the brink of global conflict and empire.

Faith was the quiet strength beneath the roar of battle. While Daly’s story rarely screams of piety, his actions spoke a language older than words—duty, sacrifice, and a code older than war itself. The Bible verses he murmured in painful moments, like Psalm 23, never strayed far. He believed in a hard, sacred honor: protect your brothers, face fear without flinching, stand firm even when all falls apart.

“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” – Psalm 91:11 (NIV)

The Boxer Rebellion: The First Legend Is Forged

Beijing, 1900. The Boxer Rebellion had Marines dug into a city on fire, hostile crowds closing in. Amidst the chaos, Daly’s courage exploded into public view. During the rescue of a besieged diplomatic compound, he repeatedly ran through a gauntlet of gunfire, rallying stragglers and dragging wounded comrades to safety.

His first Medal of Honor came from those desperate days, a citation confirming what eyewitnesses witness with blinking disbelief: “For distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy. Throughout this action, Sergeant Daly displayed exceptional bravery.” This wasn’t a man chasing glory. It was a man grasping the lives he owed to his Marines with reckless hands.

The French Frontline, WWI: The Second Medal of Honor

By 1918, Daly had become a legend, now a Sergeant Major, battle-tested beyond any soldier’s reckoning. The Battle of Belleau Wood, June 1918: This fight would define a generation of Marines and cement Daly’s legacy forever.

Amid shrapnel and machine-gun roar, Daly positioned himself where the line would break. He saw his men ready to waver under crushing artillery bombardment and relentless German infantry.

Then came his charge—led by a single man. Armed with only a pistol and sheer force of will, he launched into the enemy ranks.

A witness remembered, “I don’t know where he found the courage. He was like a war god walking the edge of death.”

He reportedly yelled, “Come on, you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?” — a gritty challenge etched into Marine lore.

His fearless leadership stopped the German advance and saved countless Marine lives.

The citation for his second Medal of Honor, unique for being awarded twice, speaks plainly:

“During operations near the Bois-de-Belleau, France, Sergeant Major Daly distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism and leadership in action against the enemy.”

Recognition Carved in Bronze and Blood

Two Medals of Honor. Not many claim that. Even fewer earn it ‘for valor’ twice, in two separate wars, a quarter-century apart.

Jeanette M. Rankin, Congresswoman and advocate for veterans, once called Daly “the epitome of Marine toughness and honor.”

He received the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Service Cross, and a lifetime of respect that only combat veterans can truly measure.

Not a man of many words, Daly’s own humility spoke through simple truths: “The Marine Corps takes men who won't say die.” And he lived it until his last breath.

A Warrior’s Enduring Lesson

Daniel Joseph Daly died in 1937, but his legend doesn’t fade. His battles were not for glory, but for the brothers beside him. He taught the brutal truth that courage isn’t born—it’s chosen.

Every scar on Daly’s body was a testament. Every medal, a silver echo of sacrifice.

His life begs that we remember: honor demands action, not just words. Faith isn’t just recited; it’s carried into the worst hells and still stands firm.

“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 (NIV)

In the quiet moments between battles, when the guns fall silent, Sergeant Major Daniel Joseph Daly remains a beacon—one who showed that true valor is not measured by medals or speeches, but by the willingness to stand in the storm, shield broken and body battered, for those who cannot stand on their own.

That’s the legacy we owe to remember. That’s the kind of man we honor.

Sources

1. Naval History and Heritage Command, “Daniel Joseph Daly: Two-Time Medal of Honor Recipient” 2. “The U.S. Marine Corps in the World War,” Marine Corps History Division 3. Arlington National Cemetery, Daniel J. Daly Profile 4. Medal of Honor Citation, U.S. Army and Navy Archives 5. West, Bing. U.S. Marines in Battle: Belleau Wood, Naval Institute Press