Michael J. Daly MoH RIP

Kyt · Jul 29, 2008

Medal Of Honor Recipient Dies -- Courant.com

FAIRFIELD - — A Fairfield man who was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism as a 20-year-old lieutenant in World War II has died at the age of 83.

A funeral home confirmed Saturday that Michael J. Daly died at his home on Friday.

Daly was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Truman for valor in combat. The award was for actions Daly took on April 18, 1945, in Nuremberg, Germany.

According to the Medal of Honor Society website, Daly engaged in 4 single-handed firefights to protect his men, killing 15 Germans, silencing three enemy machine guns and wiping out an entire enemy patrol.

Daly was later promoted to captain.

"I'm no hero," Daly often said, according to the Connecticut Post. "The heroes are those who gave their lives."

During World War II, which he entered as an 18-year-old private after leaving West Point, Daly was also awarded three Silver Stars, two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star with "V" for acts of bravery.

Daly was modest about his military accomplishments and circumspect about his particular role.

"Anybody would have done what I did," he later told a friend. "Luck is important in life, but in combat it is crucial. The bravest things are often done with God the only witness."

After the war, Daly returned to Fairfield and began a business career as a manufacturer's representative and entrepreneur. He devoted a substantial part of his life to St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport.

He was one of the hospital's first lay trustees and served on its board for more than 30 years. He was known as the "conscience of the hospital" for his commitment to the poor and palliative care for the terminally ill.

He was also instrumental in developing financial support for the hospital.

Ronald J. Bianchi, St. Vincent's corporate senior vice president, said, "Michael Daly was the finest person I've ever known. He was responsive on a daily basis to people in need."

Bianchi also announced that the new St. Vincent's emergency wing will be named after Daly.
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Kyt · Jul 29, 2008

Michael J. Daly - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pathfinder · Aug 3, 2008

RIP Mr. Daly.

I wonder how many MoH recipients are alive now?

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Michael J. Daly MoH RIP

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