World War II Honoree

Matthew E. Daley, Sr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Friends of American Heroes

IN 1943, A COMMISSIONED ARMY SECOND LIEUTENANT HE SHIPPED OVERSEAS. HIS 29TH INFANTRY DIVISION WAS IN THE FIRST WAVE TO LAND ON OMAHA BEACH ON D-DAY. HALF OF HIS COMRADES WERE KILLED OR WOUNDED IN THE LANDING. THOUGH WOUNDED IN THE HAND, HE LED THE SURVIVORS TO THE SEAWALL AND CLEARED ENEMY HOLDING POSITIONS ON THE CLIFFS ABOVE. HE WAS WOUNDED THREE MORE TIMES IN ACTION IN FRANCE, HOLLAND AND GERMANY. HE WAS AWARDED A PURPLE HEART WITH OAK LEAF CLUSTERS; A BRONZE STAR; AND A SILVER STAR THAT WAS PINNED ON HIS UNIFORM BY GENERAL DWIGHT EISENHOWER.