Originally posted by USNVet940:
Next is the USS Daly (DD-519). A "low-bridge" (square) Fletcher-class destroyer, Daly was commissioned in March 1943 and is named for Sergeant Major Daniel J. Daly, USMC, the only other Marine in U.S. history to be twice awarded the MOH. In a distinguished career spanning 30 years, Daly received his first MOH for his gallantry and heroism during the Boxer Rebellion in China in August, 1900. His second award came fifteen years later, on October 24, 1915, for his conspicuous actions during an ambush by over 400 Haitian bandits against his 35-man patrol.
Daly is also remembered for his famous battle cry, made during the Battle of Belleau Wood in June, 1918. Despite being under a horrific bombardment from German artillery, Daly ordered an attack, yelling to his men as he charged forward, "Come on, you sons of b****es, do you want to live forever?" Daly would receive the Navy Cross for this and other actions during the battle. In addition to the two MOH and NC, Daly also received the following decorations over his career: Distinguished Service Cross; three Letters of Commendation; Good Conduct Medal with two bronze stars; China Relief Expedition Medal; Philippine Campaign Medal; Expeditionary Medal with one bronze star; Mexican Service Medal; Haitian Campaign Medal; World War I Victory Medal with Aisne, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne and Defensive-Sector clasps; Medaille Militaire; Croix de Guerre with Palm and the Fourragere.
Offered a commission several times, Daly always refused, stating that he would rather be "an outstanding sergeant than just another officer". Sergeant Major Daly retired from the Marines in February, 1929, and died in New York in April, 1937.
The destroyer Daly had an active career during WWII, both in the Atlantic (although only briefly) and Pacific. The link below can tell her story far better than I can:
http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/destroy/dd519txt.htmBetween escorting the fleet and invasion forces, providing gunfire support for invading troops, rescuing survivors from sunken ships, and engaging enemy ships in surface actions, Daly was in the thick of the fighting in the Pacific and received eight Battle Stars for her wartime service. Mothballed in 1946, Daly was recommissioned in 1951 after the outbreak of the Korean War.
For the next nine years, Daly engaged in various patrolling, escort, anti-submarine, and NATO exercises and cruises, earning an additional Battle Star for her Korean War service. In May 1960, Daly was decommissioned for the last time and placed in reserve. Stricken from the Naval Register in 1974, Daly was sold and broken up for scrap two years later.
