Navy Federal Credit Union

Jerome Daly retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1983 and entered the seminary for the Arlington, Virginia Diocese and was ordained in 1987. He retired as a Catholic priest in 2004 but remained active as needed.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Chief Warrant Officer (WO-2)

    Batallion:

    13th Combat Aviation Battalion

    Regiment:

    1st Aviation Brigade

    Action Date:

    March 26, 1967

    Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3146 (June 25, 1967)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Chief Warrant Officer (WO-2) Jerome R. Daly (ASN: W-2215549), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with 121st Assault Helicopter Company, 13th Combat Aviation Battalion, 1st Aviation Brigade. Chief Warrant Officer Daly distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 26 March 1967 while serving as commander of a smoke dispersing helicopter during the rescue of three downed helicopter crews that were threatened by two Viet Cong battalions near Vinh Long. Three helicopters had been shot down in the contested landing zone and all rescue attempts had been thwarted by intense enemy fire from fortified emplacements in a treeline 100 meters from the aircraft. Although it was imperative to rescue the men before nightfall, ground armor reinforcing units were unable to reach the besieged men in time. It was decided that Warrant Officer Daly’s aircraft would place a smoke screen between the insurgents and the rescue aircraft. Although he knew that he would be required to fly less than 100 meters from a treeline which contained incredible Viet Cong firepower, he readily gave his consent to the plan. With the pickup aircraft right behind him, Warrant Officer Daly descended, flew in front of Viet Cong automatic weapons and concealed the rescue operation with thick smoke. Although the pickup operations were expected to last a very short time, the downed men were spread throughout the landing area and more evacuation aircraft were needed. Unhesitatingly, Warrant Officer Daly circled and once again placed a smoke screen while passing through the hail of enemy fire. By the time all of the men had been recovered from the field, he had placed himself before the enemy weapons twelve times. Although he and his crew escaped unscathed, his aircraft was so damaged that it was judged beyond repair. Chief Warrant Officer Daly’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.