Sergeant Major Daniel J. Daly Two-Time Medal of Honor Marine

Jan 18 , 2026

Sergeant Major Daniel J. Daly Two-Time Medal of Honor Marine

Blood on the ground, fire in his eyes. The roar of enemies, the stench of cordite thick as death itself—Sergeant Major Daniel J. Daly stood unmoving, a bastion where others faltered. Twice awarded the Medal of Honor, his scars tell stories written in hell’s ink. Born from the mud of battlefields across two continents, his legend is stitched into the very fabric of Marine Corps lore.

From Brooklyn's Streets to the Corps' Ranks

Daniel Joseph Daly was born in 1873, Brooklyn, New York—a rough city that forged grit before the Corps ever claimed him.

Raised in a working-class family, Daly carried a fierce sense of duty and an unshakable moral compass instilled by the Catholic Church. Faith was never just prayer; it was armor. In letters, he referenced scripture, often finding strength in Psalms and the steadfastness of the Old Testament warriors.

He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at age 21, in 1899, hitting that path marked by sacrifice and blood. No illusions. No glamor. Just a warrior’s code: protect the weak, lead the charge, never flinch.

The Boxer Rebellion: The First Medal of Honor

1900. China. The Boxer Rebellion. The streets of Tientsin burned. Foreign legations under siege. The Marines sent in to break through chaos.

Daly’s first Medal of Honor came during the battle near Tientsin. He reportedly carried a wounded comrade five miles under heavy enemy fire; a feat of grit and pure will.

His citation reads: “For distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy at Tientsin, China, 13 July 1900.” Nothing flowery—just cold, measured acknowledgment of courage under fire. No hesitation allowed.

Across the scorched Asian battlefield, his actions saved lives, lifted morale, and kept the line from breaking.

The Bloody Streets of Belleau Wood

Fast forward to June 1918. World War I, France.

The 4th Marine Brigade, American Expeditionary Forces, stood at Belleau Wood—hell on earth. The enemy dug in, machine guns zeroed in on any movement. The woods literally boiled with bullets and choking gas.

Daly, now a sergeant major, was no longer just a rifleman but a vital symbol. A living legend hammered by years of war, yet battle-hardened and unbowed. When German forces stormed forward, Marines faltered. Daly grabbed a rifle from a fallen soldier and shouted orders, urging men to hold the line with ferocity.

His second Medal of Honor citation details this: “Although wounded, he fearlessly exposed himself to heavy fire to lead and encourage his men.” At a critical moment, Daly bayoneted six enemies in close quarters, rallying Marines to counterattack and hold ground. His leadership kept a fragile American foothold intact amidst devastation.

“Daly was as indomitable as any man to ever serve in the Corps,” wrote historian Shelby Stanton.

Valor Recognized, A Legend Carved in Steel

Two Medals of Honor. The highest U.S. decoration. Earned not once but twice. For extraordinary heroism, no less. Daly’s name etched alongside the greatest warriors.

Beyond medals, his peers regarded him as a man of unwavering resolve.

General John A. Lejeune said of him:

“Sgt. Maj. Daniel J. Daly is comparable to Patton, a soldier’s soldier.”

He was awarded multiple other commendations, including the Navy Cross, and was revered as a mentor to younger Marines. Daly embodied what war demands—sacrifice beyond self, steadiness beneath fire, and a heart that beat for his brothers in arms.

Legacy Etched by Blood and Honor

Daly's story reminds us: Courage isn’t born—it’s forged. In fire and blood, in loss and loyalty.

“Greater love hath no man than this,” he might have whispered amidst gunfire, for his life was a testament to that sacred truth (John 15:13).

His life speaks to veterans weathered by war’s storms and civilians untouched by combat alike. The cost of freedom is always written in the language of sacrifice and honor. Daly’s wounds—visible and invisible—carry a message: stand firm when all falters. Lead with heart, and never surrender your soul.

His scars are our inheritance. His faith, a beacon for those who face darkness.

Let every soldier remember—there is no greater glory than to hold the line when the night falls hardest.

For Sgt. Maj. Daniel J. Daly, the fight was never about medals. It was about the brother next to him, the home waiting beyond the smoke, and a steadfast spirit refusing to break.

Sources

1. Naval History and Heritage Command, Medal of Honor Recipients: China Relief Expedition (Boxer Rebellion) 2. U.S. Army Center of Military History, Medal of Honor Citations - World War I 3. Shelby Stanton, U.S. Marine Corps Biography, Historical Division, United States Marine Corps, 1985 4. John A. Lejeune, Battle Studies, USMC Historical Archives, 1920