Sgt. Major Daniel Daly Hero at Belleau Wood and Peking

Dec 08 , 2025

Sgt. Major Daniel Daly Hero at Belleau Wood and Peking

Sgt. Major Daniel Joseph Daly stood in the bloodied streets of Peking. Chaos swarmed the city like a pack of wolves. The enemy surged—no fear could stop him. He was one man, but his will roared louder than gunfire. "Come on, you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?" His voice cut through smoke, steel, and death. That raw challenge defined a warrior who would never back down.

Background & Faith

Born in Glen Cove, New York, 1873. Irish blood, working-class grit. No silver spoon, just rough streets and hard lessons. He earned respect the Marine way—through sweat, scars, and unwavering discipline. A devout man, his faith was a quiet fire. In darkest moments, he found strength in scripture, holding close verses like armor.

“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

Daly’s life was a testament to honor and sacrifice. He believed in serving something greater than himself—his country, his brothers in arms, and a legacy forged by endurance and faith.

The Battle That Defined Him

June 20, 1900. Boxer Rebellion. The relief expedition ferrying into Peking faced unrelenting enemy fire. Men faltered under pressure. Not Daly. He braved a withering hail of bullets to deliver crucial messages between units. Every step forward was a gamble with death. And when the situation demanded, he was the hammer breaking enemy lines—not once, but twice.

His courage drew the eye of command, earning him his first Medal of Honor for “distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy.”

World War I yawned across the horizon. Same man, stiffer enemy, mud, and trench warfare. By October 1918, at the Battle of Belleau Wood, Daly embodied Marine ferocity once again. Despite being outnumbered and under intense artillery and machine-gun fire, he rallied his exhausted Marines to hold the line at all costs. His resolve was steel in a storm of chaos.

Recognition

Two Medals of Honor. Only 19 Americans have earned this distinction twice, and SgtMajor Daly stands among the fiercest.

His first Medal, awarded for actions in the Boxer Rebellion, speaks to his bravery carrying dispatches through fire[1]. The second, awarded for gallantry at Belleau Wood during WWI, etched his name in Marine Corps lore[2].

General John Archer Lejeune, reflecting on the valor of Marines, singled Daly out for his “indomitable spirit and fearless leadership.” Comrades called him an iron wedge—simultaneously cautious and relentless, a man who could be counted on when others fell.

Legacy & Lessons

Daly’s story is more than medals and battle stories. It’s about relentless courage that refuses to die. About a man whose scars bled lessons: strength is forged in suffering, and fear is conquered not by absence but by facing it head-on.

He lived a life that echoed through Marine Corps history, a reminder: heroism isn’t a moment—it's a lifetime.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13

His legacy calls every warrior and civilian alike to remember the cost of freedom. It demands honoring sacrifice, embracing courage with humility, and finding redemption through service.

Sgt. Major Daniel Joseph Daly’s footsteps are blood-stained, yet they lead upward—toward duty, honor, and an unrelenting faith that the fight is never truly over.

Sources

1. Naval History and Heritage Command, “Medal of Honor Recipients – Marine Corps,” Boxer Rebellion Citation, 1900. 2. U.S. Marine Corps History Division, Belleau Wood Medal of Honor Citations, 1918.