FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Michael J Daly ~ 01 August 2022

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[Kathy in Alaska]

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~ Hall of Heroes ~

Michael J. Daly

Info and photos from this website.

           

Michael J. Daly (September 15, 1924 – July 25, 2008) was a United States Army officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.

Although born in New York City, Daly resided his entire life in Fairfield, Connecticut, save for one year he and his wife lived in County Wicklow, Ireland.  His great-grandfather Thomas F. Gilroy was an Irish immigrant who was mayor of New York City in the 1890s. His father, Colonel Paul Daly, was a World War I and World War II veteran who had received the Distinguished Service Cross and twice been nominated for the Medal of Honor.  Michael Daly had three brothers, Gilroy, Daniel and Dermot and three sisters, Madeleine Potter, Bevin Patterson and Alison Gerard.

Daly joined the Army from Fairfield's Southport neighborhood in 1942 and attended the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, where he was a classmate of George Patton IV. After only one year, Daly resigned his appointment to the academy in order to fight in the war.  Sent to Europe as an eighteen-year-old infantry private, he trained in England and took part in the D-Day landings at Omaha Beach with the 1st Infantry Division.  His father also volunteered to serve in the war and was sent first to Guadalcanal, then as a regimental commander to France.

After participating in the drive through France, Michael Daly was wounded in Aachen, Germany, and sent to England to recover. He rejoined the front lines as a part of the 3rd Infantry Division and was given a battlefield commission to second lieutenant.  By April 18, 1945, he was a first lieutenant in command of Company A, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, 7th Army. On that day, he led his company in their advance through Nuremberg, Germany, and single-handedly engaged German forces several times.  As his unit passed a city square, a German machine gun opened fire, causing several casualties. Daly rushed the position and killed the three gunners. Advancing ahead of his men, he came across a German patrol preparing to use rocket launchers to ambush American tanks. He again attacked alone and, despite being outnumbered and outgunned, killed all six patrol members. When a machine gun opened fire at close range, he picked up a dead man's rifle and killed the two-man German crew. The next day, on April 19, Daly was shot through the head; a bullet entered at his ear and exited from the opposite cheek. He was sent to England and eventually the United States to recuperate.  At about the same time, his father, who had been wounded in France, was also being evacuated to the United States.

Daly was subsequently promoted to captain and, on August 23, 1945, awarded the Medal of Honor.  Although still recovering from his wounds, for which he would continue to receive treatment until mid-1946, Daly attended a ceremony at the White House where President Harry S. Truman formally presented him with the medal.  In addition to the Medal of Honor, Daly received three Silver Stars, two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star with valor device.  Commenting on his Medal of Honor citation in a speech at Fairfield High School sometime later, Daly said, "We all lose our courage at times. It is something we pray for in the morning, that God will give us the strength and courage to do what is right."

After the war, Daly returned to Fairfield and began a business career. He worked as a salesman for an oil company before starting his own manufacturer's representative business, Michael Daly & Associates, in the Southport neighborhood.  He was greatly involved in the operations of St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport. He served on the hospital's board of directors for more than thirty years, was a trustee, and helped obtain financial support for the hospital.  A Democrat, Daly supported the political careers of his brother, Judge T. F. Gilroy Daly, and friend, city politician John J. Sullivan, but dismissed suggestions to run for office himself.

Daly married Margaret Wallace in the 1950s. He had two children, Deirdre and Michael.  His wife's birthday is April 18, the date (though not the year) he battled so valiantly in Nuremberg.

Daly died of pancreatic cancer at his Fairfield home on July 25, 2008. His funeral was July 29 at St. Pius X Church in Fairfield with a burial at Oak Lawn Cemetery. During his funeral Daly's daughter Deirdre recited some of his reflections on visiting the cemetery at Omaha Beach, "You walk that hallowed ground alone with your memories – but not really alone – for if you listen, you can hear the clear notes of a distant trumpet -- the same trumpet you hear walking across the parade ground at West Point -- calling us – all of us – to a higher standard. Duty, Honor, Country – yes – but it is also an appeal to our central humanity – an appeal for a greater decency – an appeal for kindness, the discipline of kindness – a reminder that therein lies our only chance for a permanent victory.”

Also during the service, Rev. Samuel Scott, a long time friend of Daly's, spoke of their last meeting when Daly said, "'Father, we need peacemakers. Anyone can shoot a gun.'" He then saluted Rev. Scott from his death bed.

He was given full military honors, the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) of Fort Drum and The United States Military Academy of West Point performed the ceremony. The tribute included a 21-gun salute and West Point's bugle sounding "Taps" as preludes to a military helicopter flying over the cemetery in tribute to Daly. St. Vincent's Medical Center plans to name its new emergency wing in his honor.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret Wallace Daly; his son, Michael, his daughter, Deirdre Daly, and her husband, Alfred Pavlis, all of Fairfield; his sisters Bevin Daly Patterson of Cold Spring, N.Y., and Alison Daly Gerard of New York City; a stepson, W. Sanford Miller of Chadds Ford, Pa.; a stepdaughter, Blair Miller of Asheville, N.C.; and three grandsons. His brother, T. F. Gilroy Daly, who died in 1996, was a federal judge in Connecticut who had gained prominence as a lawyer for helping win the exoneration of Peter Reilly, who had been convicted of killing his mother in a highly publicized case of the 1970s.

DALY, MICHAEL J.

Rank and organization: Captain (then Lieutenant), U.S. Army, Company A, 15th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division.

Place and date: Nuremberg, Germany, 18 April 1945.

Entered service at: Southport, Conn.

Born: 15 September 1924, New York, N.Y. G

.O. No.: 77, 10 September 1945.

Citation:
Early in the morning of 18 April 1945, he led his company through the shell-battered, sniper-infested wreckage of Nuremberg, Germany. When blistering machinegun fire caught his unit in an exposed position, he ordered his men to take cover, dashed forward alone, and, as bullets whined about him, shot the 3-man guncrew with his carbine. 

Continuing the advance at the head of his company, he located an enemy patrol armed with rocket launchers which threatened friendly armor. He again went forward alone, secured a vantage point and opened fire on the Germans. Immediately he became the target for concentrated machine pistol and rocket fire, which blasted the rubble about him. Calmly, he continued to shoot at the patrol until he had killed all 6 enemy infantrymen. 

Continuing boldly far in front of his company, he entered a park, where as his men advanced, a German machinegun opened up on them without warning. With his carbine, he killed the gunner; and then, from a completely exposed position, he directed machinegun fire on the remainder of the crew until all were dead.

In a final duel, he wiped out a third machinegun emplacement with rifle fire at a range of 10 yards. 

By fearlessly engaging in 4 single-handed fire fights with a desperate, powerfully armed enemy, Lt. Daly, voluntarily taking all major risks himself and protecting his men at every opportunity, killed 15 Germans, silenced 3 enemy machineguns and wiped out an entire enemy patrol.

His heroism during the lone bitter struggle with fanatical enemy forces was an inspiration to the valiant Americans who took Nuremberg.

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission!

[luvie]

He sure was! A real patriot!

[radu]

Howdy, TigerHawk.

Yes, we finally got some GOOD rainfall yesterday! It was sorely needed. It would have been nice to have gotten it sooner, while the corn was still growing and it could plump up the kernels. But the corn’s not a total loss, fortunately. The ears are full but the kernels are smaller than normal.

The Thunderbirds were here several years ago for an air show and I went both days. They do put on a fabulous show.

Can’t say I’ve ever heard of the Rhinebeck Aerodrome. I have the video up now and what cool planes!! Neat that they’re carrying on with Cole Palen’s tradition. It looks like a lot of fun. So you got to see this event in person back in the day? Bet that was a blast.

[radu]

It started at the beginning for me. Guess I got lucky. LOL The first plane was a trippy thing.

I have it going in one Window so I can watch while I’m here typing.

[radu]

You can always go back to watch. The 12 hours are far from up. :-)

It was ‘Bob Stabilizer HOC’ who passed. He was there when you first turned us on to the cam. He wasn’t around much lately because he had cancer so we knew this was coming. Still a shock to hear the news though. We’ll miss his sense of humor and his great cam op skills.

[Kathy in Alaska]

My Dad and I used to go out on base every year...Thunderbirds one year, Blue Angels the next. Drive to the Red Robin parking lot and buses took you on base. Then a hike out onto the tarmac. Lots of planes to climb in and out of, lots of displays in the hangers. (And my Dad ALWAYS found someone to talk to about the old days...he always wore his CBI cap and ham radio jacket with his call sign on it...NL7DK.) Then watch the Thunderbirds or Blue Angels head off down the runway and get ready to “launch” right in front of us! Front row seats for the show! I did a couple after he passed, and then walking and standing became an issue even tho I carried a folding chair. Alas...now I can only listen.

[radu]

Howdy, Allegra.

He was a very cool gentleman and a character. He did tell a few stories and was a bit repetitive. At 97, his mind isn’t as sharp as in earlier years. But he remembered a lot and teared up several times when talking about the war. Made us tear up too.

He enjoyed his visit to the museum and we thoroughly enjoyed having him there.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Janey...((HUGS)) Welcome back from another success run.

[radu]

No evening church service when it’s a 5th Sunday? It worked out well since you didn’t sleep well last night. A nice, long nap does a world of good. :-)

We thought we’d get another good dose of rain this evening but, par for the course, it fizzled just as it reached us. We got some sprinkles. *sigh*
But we have one more chance tomorrow morning, then the heat cranks back up.

[Kathy in Alaska]

May he RIP...

[radu]

I would LOVE to see the Blue Angels perform. Lucky you getting to see them several times. Our local airport had a couple of air shows several years back and that’s where I got to see the Thunderbirds perform.
And like the shows you went to with your dad, they had several aircraft on static display and I was all over those. They weren’t going to take off so it was safe to be inside. LOL!!!

It sounds like you were able to position yourselves in a great spot for viewing. Jealous, jealous, jealous I am!

[Kathy in Alaska]

That cardboard jeep was so cool. I wonder how many folks never even noticed something “off”?

[radu]

He was sick for quite a while so he is at peace now. I feel bad for his family and friends who knew him much better than we did.

[radu]

I don’t know where it’s been displayed since that Memorial Day event is was created for or if it’s been displayed at all. There’s no telling how many people have seen it and didn’t realize what it was made of. I wouldn’t have know if I hadn’t stepped over the rope to read the little sign on the table.
I’d say any veterans who see it will know right off the bat that there’s something no quite right about it.

There were too many distractions yesterday to be able to find out the story behind the museum ending up with it. I’ll find out next weekend.

[Allegra]

That’s fantastic. Thank you for answering.

What a rich life that gentleman has had. We all owe him a heap of gratitude. God bless him and all of you who were there at the event.

[radu]

That video of the air show at the Rhinebeck Aerodrome is SO much fun! I burst out laughing at the “race” with the three pilots in their boxers. The commentary was hilarious. They have a good announcer for their shows.

[Allegra]

I would LOVE to see the Blue Angels perform. Lucky you getting to see them several times. Our local airport had a couple of air shows several years back and that’s where I got to see the Thunderbirds perform.

I also saw the Blue Angels many times. My dad was a Navy pilot and of course, a huge fan. I loved their scary stunts and colorful smoke when I was a kid.

The last time I saw them was with Dad in the 90s . He was visiting me in Houston and I took him to the Wings Over Houston Air Show at Ellington Air Base.

The Blue Angels couldn’t go quite as high as they normally did because of Hobby Airport’s proximity, but it was still a spectacular show.

[radu]

It wasn’t exactly an event, though it was for us. A local school teacher who knows him took him and his wife to the museum to see it. They don’t live very far from us and Hubby knew Frenchie years ago. He was a motorcycle mechanic and Hubby took his bike to him for occasional repairs.

It was an honor to meet him, no doubt. In my book, it’s an honor to meet any veteran who shows up. I love going through with them on tours because I listen and learn a little something from each one as we go along. They always have some little tidbit they’ll throw out.

[luvie]

He was a great cam op and no doubt a good friend to all his fellow workers there at the lake. It was a lovely tribute to him to have his picture there in the corner.

Yes, it the fact that I didn’t have to have a short nap this afternoon that got me through the long morning and then the lunch at the church building that we had afterward. But I’m already sleepy again, so I’ll probably crash before too long. LOL!

[radu]

Another one to be jealous of. LOL!

I’ve only seen videos of their performances and tried to imagine what it would be like to be THERE. I hoped to get a chance to at least see them practice at Pensacola the few times Hubby and I were able to go to Ft. Walton to visit Dad when he was alive. But each time we went down, they were gone somewhere for an air show.

They’ve performed at air shows at Seward AFB, close to Nashville, in the past but each time something came up and I wasn’t able to go. :-(

[radu]

He sure was a great cam op. He could track anything no matter how fast it flew. He was a funny, all-round nice guy too.

STL posted a screen shot of the cam with his pic on the memory wall at Legacy today and left a nice message to his family. They wanted the family to know that Bob had touched the lives of many people around the world.

I hope you can get a decent night’s sleep tonight. You’ve mentioned not sleeping all that well lately because it’s been so hot. It catches up with you after a while.