Although he was born in New York, Daniel Rooney was raised by a relative in Ireland after his mother died during childbirth of another child, when Daniel was five years old. He began studying for the priesthood at Saint Michael’s College in County Louth, Ireland, and then went to Rome, Italy, to study at the Institute of Charity novitiate . He and other students and priests were forced to leave Italy when World War II began, and since he had retained his American citizenship, he was able to return with little difficulty. He was ordained a Catholic priest in August 1943, in Corpus Christi Church in Galesburg, marking the first ordination of a priest in that city. He served as a member of Corpus Christi High School and also as an assistant pastor of Corpus Christi Church. He later went on to serve at Saint Mary’s Church in Canton, and then Saint Mary’s Church in Champaign. While in Champaign, he also served as chaplain at Mercy Hospital in Urbana until he entered military service and was commissioned a U.S. Army chaplain during the Korean War, where he was twice decorated with the Silver Star, and wounded one time in action.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps)Regiment:
17th Infantry RegimentDivision:
7th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
April 18, 1953
Headquarters, 7th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 438 (1953)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps) Daniel Joseph Rooney (ASN: 0-998396), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as a chaplain with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, in action near Sak-Kog-Ae, Korea, on 18 April 1953. On that date, an outpost held by friendly forces was subjected to an intense enemy artillery and mortar barrage. Chaplain Rooney, with complete disregard for his personal safety, immediately moved to the outpost to assist in the evacuation of wounded personnel and administer spiritual and medical aid to friendly casualties. Repeatedly exposing himself to the severe enemy fire, Chaplain Rooney made numerous trips between the aid station and the beleaguered outpost, encouraging the men and providing immeasurable consolation and assistance to the friendly casualties. The courageous devotion to God and country and the selfless regard for fellow soldiers which Chaplain Rooney displayed on this occasion were great sources of inspiration to all who witnessed his actions and contributed immeasurably to the success of the combat mission of his organization. The gallantry displayed by Chaplain Rooney reflects great credit on himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps)Regiment:
17th Infantry RegimentDivision:
7th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
October 8, 1952
Headquarters, 7th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 215 (1953)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps) Daniel Joseph Rooney (ASN: 0-998396), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as a chaplain with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, in action at Outpost Charlie, near Triangle Hill, in Korea, on 8 October 1952. Chaplain Rooney was saying Mass, using the tailgate of a truck for an altar, when the unit came under small arms and artillery fire. He coolly continued to pass out communion until the truck was destroyed by incoming rounds, and he was wounded. He then went from foxhole to foxhole, distributing ammunition and absolution to the men. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Chaplain Rooney, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.