Navy Federal Credit Union

Joseph Dailey enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1941 and served throughout World War II, Korea and Vietnam. From August 1, 1969 until his retirement on January 31, 1972 he served as the 5th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Technical Sergeant

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    5th Marines

    Division:

    1st Marine Division (Rein.)

    Action Date:

    February 25, 1953

    Authority: Board of Awards: Serial 1020 (December 1, 1953)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Technical Sergeant Joseph W Dailey (MCSN: 335540), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Platoon Leader of Company F, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea on 25 February 1953. While participating in a company raid on an enemy outpost, Technical Sergeant Dailey unhesitatingly volunteered to lead a rescue squad in an attempt to recover four Marine casualties who were discovered lying a few feet from a strongly fortified enemy-held trench. Moving quickly to his objective, he skillfully maneuvered his squad into a position from which he was able to rescue the casualties and, despite an intense hail of enemy machine-gun, grenade and automatic-weapons fire, carried out a further search of the surrounding terrain until he located and recovered two other wounded Marines. As an enemy force advanced toward his position, he skillfully withdrew his men and all the recovered casualties to friendly lines. By his exceptional courage, outstanding leadership and daring initiative in the face of continuous hostile fire, Technical Sergeant Dailey was directly instrumental in saving the lives of six wounded Marines and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    1st Marines

    Division:

    1st Marine Division

    Action Date:

    May 3, 1945

    Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 58486

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Joseph W Dailey (MCSN: 335540), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Acting Gunnery Sergeant of Company A, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 3 May 1945. During an attack in which his company was suffering severe casualties, Platoon Sergeant Dailey skillfully organized the personnel of company headquarters and the mortar platoon into stretcher-bearer teams and led them into the fire-swept zone, constantly exposing himself to heavy fire in order to direct the evacuation of the wounded. Realizing that more stretchers were needed, he crossed the hazardous area and commandeered Marines from a reserve unit to aid his company and, leading them through lanes of enemy fire, succeeded in moving all the casualties to a comparatively safe position. By his leadership, initiative and untiring devotion to duty, Platoon Sergeant Bailey contributed materially to the success of the operation, and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.