Joseph Daly Awarded Congressional Gold Medal

Joseph Daly Awarded Congressional Gold Medal

On Saturday, June 18, 2016, one of our residents was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal at our facility.  We had about 50 guests (family, friends, Marine Corp representatives). The family also invited our residents who served in the military to attend.

Two of our staff sang and we provided light refreshments. We are very proud to we had the opportunity to host this event and work with The Montfort Point Marine Association!

About Joseph Daly, Sr.

Joseph Henry Daly, Sr. is the son of Henry and Suzanne Daly who immigrated to the United States from Montserrat, British West Indies. The second of the Daly’s four children, Joseph was born in Harlem, New York on June 6, 1924. At a very young age, Joseph used his entrepreneurial drive to establish flower, fruit and vegetable stands around Harlem to help support his family during the Great Depression.

On August 12, 1943, at the age of 19, he was drafted into the United States Marine Corps.  Along with other young African-American men, Joseph was sent to basic training at Montford Point, South Carolina.  He successfully completed basic training on March 19, 1944, and was deployed with the 1st Armored Division aboard the USS Afoundria to Guam, Marianas Islands.

During his deployment, he was engaged in the dangerous task of transporting ammunitions to troops.  On February 18, 1946, after serving his tour in Guam, Joseph was honorably discharged from the Marines.  Amongst his military papers is correspondence from his Commander to all personnel advising that “Guam played an important role as an advance base in all operations which brought about the crushing defeat of the Japanese.  This great base was developed with the unparalleled speed through the determination, initiative, energy, and cooperation of all personnel stationed on Guam.”

Joseph returned home to New York City and married Ms. Lois Johnson.  They had two sons: Joseph and Conrad (deceased).  Joseph worked for the Washburn Wire Company for 25 years, and after its closure, worked for the New York Board of Education as a maintenance technician where he retired after 10 years.  In 2011, he moved to El Paso, Texas with his son Joseph and daughter-in-law Michele, and his granddaughters Dominique and Chelsea. After a year in Texas, he moved with the family to Gainesville, Virginia.

Joseph recently celebrated his 92nd birthday and was excited about the ceremony. He was joined by family members who included: niece Carole and her husband Douglas Anderson, and nephews: Ralph Reed, Steven Jenkins and Michael Jenkins.  Joe’s extended family and friends were also present to celebrate and share this momentous occasion.

Thank you, Joseph Daly for your service.