[December 28, 2014] As part of the tribute to the 100th Anniversary of the beginning of World War I, we are recognizing U.S. Marine Sergeant Dan Daly. Sergeant Daly is notable because he entered WWI already having received the Medal of Honor twice. The bravery of Daly during his military service is awe inspiring and he is a true hero.
In June 1918 during the Battle of Belleau Wood, as his Marines were being cut to pieces by enemy machine gun fire, Daly urged them to leave their protected positions and attack the enemy head on.1 Later, he singlehandedly charged a German machine gun nest and killed its commander and captured 14 prisoners. Daly was wounded while on his second solo rescue mission during the Meuse-Argonne offensive in October. For bravery he was recommended for the Medal of Honor but the military hesitated at giving anyone the award three times. Instead he was given the Distinguished Service Cross.
“Come on, you sons of bitches! Do you want to live forever?!” – Attributed to U.S. Marine Sergeant Dan Daly, June 7, 1918 during the Battle of Belleau Wood
Recognized for his near suicidal courage, Daly was one of the most decorated U.S. Marines during WWI.2 He has our respect and recognition for what he did in helping defeat the Axis powers.
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[1] http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/6-american-heroes-of-wwi
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Daly
[Note] Marine Sergeant Dan Daly entered World War I as one of the United States’ most famous soldiers, having already won the Medal of Honor on two separate occasions for his service during the Boxer Rebellion and the U.S. occupation of Haiti. Here are the two cititations:
Medal of Honor, First award, 1901
Awarded for actions during the China Relief
Citation: The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor (First Award) to Private Daniel Joseph Daly (MCSN: 73086), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the Captain Newt Hall’s Marine Detachment, 1st Regiment (Marines), in action in the presence of the enemy during the battle of Peking, China, 14 August 1900, Daly distinguished himself by meritorious conduct.[9]
Medal of Honor, Second award, 1915
Awarded for actions during the U.S. Invasion and Occupation of Haiti
Citation: The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor (Second Award) to Gunnery Sergeant Daniel Joseph Daly (MCSN: 73086), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with the 15th Company of Marines (Mounted), 2d Marine Regiment, on 22 October 1915. Gunnery Sergeant Daly was one of the company to leave Fort Liberte, Haiti, for a six-day reconnaissance. After dark on the evening of 24 October, while crossing the river in a deep ravine, the detachment was suddenly fired upon from three sides by about 400 Cacos concealed in bushes about 100 yards from the fort. The Marine detachment fought its way forward to a good position, which it maintained during the night, although subjected to a continuous fire from the Cacos. At daybreak the Marines, in three squads, advanced in three different directions, surprising and scattering the Cacos in all directions. Gunnery Sergeant Daly fought with exceptional gallantry against heavy odds throughout this action.