Sgt. Maj. Daniel J. Daly, Marine Who Earned Two Medals of Honor

Nov 27 , 2025

Sgt. Maj. Daniel J. Daly, Marine Who Earned Two Medals of Honor

Blood and grit: at Tientsin, under a hail of fire, Sgt. Maj. Daniel J. Daly stood his ground. Barefoot. Alone. Carrying the line for his Marines when all seemed lost. This wasn’t just bravery; it was pure, unyielding steel forged in the crucible of war. Few men ever reach that. He did it twice—once under the shadow of the Boxer Rebellion, once in the muddy trenches of the Great War. Two Medals of Honor. One Marine’s legend etched into history.

From Brooklyn Streets to Battlefield Code

Born 1873 in New York’s tenements, Daniel Joseph Daly knew hardship before he knew honor. He joined the Marines in 1899, a young man hungry for purpose and discipline. His faith? Not flashy chapel talks, but a quiet, iron-willed belief shaped by struggle and sacrifice. Daly’s brother said of him: “He was a man of principle, humble but unshakable.” His code? Lead from the front, protect your own, and never let fear dictate your fate.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9) whispered through the chaos he faced—reminders of a greater calling beyond the bullets.

Tientsin, Boxer Rebellion — The Crucible of Courage

June 21, 1900, in the ruins of the Chinese city of Tientsin, Daly earned his first Medal of Honor. Marines faced a surging tide of Boxer rebels. When comrades faltered, Daly charged barefoot across open ground, delivering rifle fire with savage precision. His Medal of Honor citation calls it: “Extraordinary heroism in the presence of the enemy.” The man responsible for rallying a shattered line that day was more than a warrior—he was a force of will.

The words of General Smedley Butler, a fellow Marine and Medal of Honor recipient, echo still: “Daly was the fightingest Marine I ever knew.” High praise, from a man who had seen the worst of war.

Belleau Wood — Where Legends Are Forged in Mud and Blood

Nearly two decades later, World War I swept Daly back into hell—this time on the plains near Belleau Wood, France, 1918. The battle was a brutal struggle against German forces determined to break Allied lines. Marines were new to European combat, fresh but raw.

At Belleau Wood, Daly’s leadership was crucial. His steady voice cut through the chaos. Despite intense enemy fire, he inspired his men forward. His second Medal of Honor came for actions “exemplifying gallantry and intrepidity.” When the Marines pushed into the woodline, taking ground lost that morning, Daly walked the line, encouraging a relentless advance.

“The Marines didn’t just fight; they became a legend at Belleau Wood,” wrote historian John Thomason. Daly’s specter stood among them—marked by grit, honor, and refusal to yield.

Honors Etched in Valor

Two Medals of Honor—only 19 Marines claim that distinction. Daly’s first citation, awarded for risking his life under fire with a group of Marines during the defense of the International Legations in China, reads like gospel in courage:

“In the presence of the enemy during the battle of Tientsin, China, June 20 and 21, 1900... displayed extraordinary heroism."

His second, from WWI’s Belleau Wood, confirms a lifetime of sacrifice:

“While serving with the 6th Regiment, U.S. Marine Corps, in action near Bouresches, France, June 6 to 8, 1918... exhibited exceptional valor.”

But medals can’t capture his true legacy. Fellow Marines called him a “bulldog of the Corps,” a man who embodied semper fidelis in every breath.

Legacy: The Warrior’s Redemption

Daly’s scars run deep—not just in muscle and bone, but in the spirit of every Marine who fights because someone stood firm before them.

“To dare is to do,” he proved again and again.

In a world chasing glory or running from fear, Daly’s story lives as a raw reminder: courage is a choice made beneath hellfire. Leadership is not born in comfort, but in dirty trenches, bleeding fields, and the agonizing moments that define a man.

From gritty streets to distant battlefields, Sgt. Maj. Daniel J. Daly’s life was a testament: valor is its own redemption.

“But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary...” (Isaiah 40:31)

Veterans carry scars. They carry stories buried in mud and memory. Daly’s voice still calls out—to stand, to fight, to lead. Not for vengeance. Not for fame. But for the brother beside you. For a legacy that bleeds into the heart of this Corps, this nation, and every man who refuses to quit.

Sources

1. Naval History and Heritage Command, Medal of Honor Recipients – Daniel Joseph Daly 2. Smedley D. Butler, War Is a Racket, 1935 3. John Thomason, Fix Bayonets! The Marines at Belleau Wood, 1920 4. U.S. Marine Corps History Division, Belleau Wood and the Marines in WWI 5. Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Official Citations for Daniel J. Daly