Michael J. Daly
| Michael J. Daly | |
|---|---|
 
Captain Michael J. Daly
|
|
| Born |
September 15, 1924 New York City, New York |
| Died | July 25, 2008 (aged 83) Fairfield, Connecticut |
| Place of burial | Oak Lawn Cemetery |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1942–1946 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit |
1st Infantry Division 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
Medal of Honor Silver Star (3) Bronze Star with "V" device Purple Heart (2) Combat Infantryman Badge |
Michael Joseph Daly (September 15, 1924 – July 25, 2008) was a United States Army infantry officer who received the United States military's highest decoration for valor—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II. He received the medal for single-handedly eliminating 15 German soldiers including a German patrol, and destroying three machine-gun nests.
He resigned from the United States Military Academy after one year to fight in the world war and was sent to Europe, participating in the D-Day landings at Omaha Beach. After the D-Day invasion, he fought on to Germany where he was wounded. He received a battlefield commission to second lieutenant, returned to combat, and participated in the action that earned him the Medal of Honor.
After being presented the Medal of Honor in a ceremony at the White House by President Harry S. Truman, he went back to his hometown, started a family, and became a businessman. He died of cancer at his home in 2008, at the age of 83.
Daly was born September 15, 1924 in New York City, but resided his entire life in Fairfield, Connecticut, except for one year he and his wife lived in County Wicklow, Ireland. His father, Colonel Paul Daly, was a World War I and World War II veteran who was a recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross and was also nominated for the Medal of Honor twice, but did not receive it. His great-grandfather Thomas F. Gilroy was an Irish immigrant who was the mayor of New York City in the 1890s. Michael Daly had three brothers, Gilroy, Daniel and Dermot and three sisters, Madeleine Potter, Bevin Patterson and Alison Gerard.
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