Sgt. Maj. Daniel J. Daly, Marine Medal of Honor Hero of Belleau Wood

Dec 20 , 2025

Sgt. Maj. Daniel J. Daly, Marine Medal of Honor Hero of Belleau Wood

Sgt. Maj. Daniel Joseph Daly Jr. stood alone at the front lines, bullets carving the air around him like a furious storm. His voice cut through the chaos—a sharp, defiant roar that rallied frozen Marines to charge forward. In moments like that, it was clear: Daly was no ordinary man. He was a living legend forged in fire, a tempest with a heart of steel.

A Warrior Born in the Rough

Born in Glen Cove, New York, in 1873, Daly’s early years were marked by struggle and grit. From the docks to dusty streets, his life was a crucible of harsh realities. Joining the Marines at 18 was both escape and destiny. He took to the Corps like a soldier born, driven by an unshakable sense of duty and a fierce code of honor.

Faith wasn’t a fair-weather companion for him—it was a bedrock. His personal reflections, sparse but powerful, hinted at a warrior who bore his scars not as shame but as testimony: “God’s grace is the strength behind the fight.”

The Boxer Rebellion and Defiance at Tientsin

In 1900, amidst the savage streets of Boxer Rebellion China, Daly demonstrated the mettle that would immortalize him. During the battle of Tientsin, when enemy forces pressed hard and American troops found themselves pinned down, Daly did the unthinkable. Taking up a heavy machine gun alone, he defended his position tirelessly.

His Medal of Honor citation reads:

“In the presence of the enemy at Tientsin, China, for distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy on 20 July 1900.”

Daly’s fearless stand bought time, saved countless lives. The fierce determination behind his actions revealed a man who understood sacrifice as sacred—a burden willingly carried.

The Legend of ‘Ten-Cent’ Daly in World War I

That same grit would haunt European battlefields years later. By 1918, Sgt. Maj. Daly was already a Marine Corps icon. Yet, the bloodiest conflict of all time demanded even more. At the Battle of Belleau Wood, where the Marines fought to hold a shattered line against German onslaughts, Daly’s valor blazed anew.

When a fellow Marine faltered, Daly allegedly barked, “Come on, you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?” His words were no empty bravado—they were a spark that lit the weary, pushed men beyond pain.

His second Medal of Honor came for:

“Extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty in battle near Belleau Wood, France, 26–28 June 1918.”

Charging the enemy, rallying his men under relentless fire, Daly embodied the fighting spirit that the Marine Corps aspired to.

Honors Etched in Blood and Steel

Two Medals of Honor. Few possess such distinction—not just for shooting straight or leading charges, but for an unrelenting will that turned the tide of battles. His Silver Star and other decorations reinforced his place among America’s finest warriors.

Peers and commanders alike revered him. Legend says he carried his medals not as trophies, but as reminders—of fallen brothers, of brutal lessons learned on rain-soaked fields lined with death.

Col. Earl H. Ellis once noted:

“Daly was the kind of Marine who made others better… the very image of courage.”

Legacy Written in the Salt of Sweat and Blood

His scars, both visible and unseen, tell stories few can withstand. Yet Daly’s life offers more than raw violence—it offers hope forged in hardship. He showed that courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to face it.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them.” —Deuteronomy 31:6

Today, veterans who struggle, young fighters who wrestle with purpose, all find in Daly’s story a reflection of their own battles. Redemption is not found in glory alone, but in the stubborn faith to endure—to fight for what is right and to live with honor.

Sgt. Maj. Daniel Joseph Daly Jr. reminds us that the ledger of war is heavy, but so too is the heart that bears it. His life is a solemn oath: sacrifice remembered, courage unbroken, legacy eternal.