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that's what I like about Sully....he's consistant!

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Medal of Honor recipient dies


FAIRFIELD, Conn. — 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.

The Spear-Miller Funeral Home confirmed Saturday that Michael J. Daly died at his home on Friday.

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

According to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society Web site, Daly engaged in 4 single-handed fire fights to protect his men, by killing 15 Germans, silencing 3 enemy machine guns and wiping out an entire enemy patrol.

Daly, who 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. T

Daly was very modest about his military accomplishments and very 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.”

Following 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.

Funeral services are set for Tuesday.

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