Stanley "Champ" McDaniel Biography

Stanley "Champ" McDaniel joined Company C, 23rd Marines on the 2nd of October 1942. He was a newly minted 2ndLt and during the next three and one half years Champ McDaniel held every position that a commissioned officer could occupy in a Rifle Company. Rifle Platoon Leader, Weapons Platoon Leader, Executive Officer and in the fall of 1944 he became Company Commander. He participated in the capture of Roi-Namur, Saipan and Iwo Jima. He was wounded on the 19th of June, 1944 on Saipan and the 3rd of March, 1945 on Iwo Jima. He was Weapons Platoon Leader on Roi-Namur and Saipan and Company Commander on Iwo Jima. Champ was a highly respected leader during his time in Company C. He will always be known as Captain McDaniel to former Company members who served in Company C during his tenure. His final rank in the Marine Corps was Major. Following is a series of links that lead to various documents dealing with Champ's time in the Marine Corps and Company C, 23rd Marines.

Bronze Star Citation

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE,

WASHINGTON

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the BRONZE STAR MEDAL to

FIRST LIEUTENANT STANLEY C. MC DANIEL,

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

"For meritorious achievement as a Mortar Section Commander of Company C, First Battalion, Twenty-third Marines, Fourth Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Marianas Islands, 17 June 1944. A determined and aggressive fighter, First Lieutenant McDaniel boldly exposed himself to relentless Japanese fire in order to make observations which would enable him to direct his section's fire more accurately and, until wounded, rendered valuable assistance to his commanding officer in directing the emplacement of a machine gun from an adjacent unit on his company's flank and in coordinating the activities of both groups. Under attack with his men throughout this process, First Lieutenant McDaniel, by his zealous efforts and cool courage, contributed materially to the success of his company's mission, and his selfless devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

First Lieutenant McDaniel is authorized to wear the Combat "V".

For the President

S/ James Forrestal

Secretary of the Navy

Letter from Champ McDaniel

CHARLEY COMPANY 1C23

IWO JIMA.

JIM TOBIN PREVIOUS CHARLEY COMPANY COMMANDERS.

THE NAVY CROSS.

COMPANY WHO FOUGHT ON IWO JIMA.

CHARLEY COMPANY

CHARLEY COMPANY WAS THE BEST MARINE COMPANY TO HIT THE BEACH AT

CHARLEY COMPANY WAS THE BEST BECAUSE OF THE BRAVERY OF IT'S MEN.

CHARLEY COMPANY WAS THE BEST BECAUSE OF FRED EBERHARDT AND

CHARLEY COMPANY BEING THE BEST CAUSED IT'S COMMANDER TO BE AWARDED

THAT NAVY CROSS IS HEREBY DEDICATED TO ALL THE MEN OF CHARLEY

MY THANKS:

CHARLEY [CAPTAIN CHAMP MC DANIEL]

Navy Cross Citation

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE,

WASHINGTON

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY CROSS to

CAPTAIN STANLEY C. MC DANIEL,

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

"For extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of Company C, First Battalion, Twenty-third Marines, Fourth Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 26 February 1945. During a counterattack by a numerically superior enemy force which was coordinated with continuing heavy fire from the company's flank, Captain McDaniel moved through his company directing its fire to repel the attack, which at some points resulted in hand-to-hand fighting. When the attack was beaten off with great loss to the Japanese and his company's ammunition supply was almost exhausted, he ordered the company to withdraw one hundred yards to more favorable ground, remaining with the remnants of two machine gun squads to cover the withdrawal. Rejoining his company which had lost almost half of its personnel, he reorganized his men and held this line for the remainder of the day and night. His outstanding leadership and courage were important factors in maintaining the combat efficiency of his company at a critical period. His unswerving devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

For the President

S/ John L Sullivan

Secretary of the Navy

Tribute by Jeff Van Pelt

Our United States is filled with people who fall into two categories, The "givers" and the "takers". The "givers" being men and women who use their God-given talents to make this world of ours a better place to live. And the "takers" those that abuse their government to get things that they don't deserve.

Today, a giver has gone to his final resting-place, his work done, and done well. Champ McDaniel gave his full measure of effort in every task that he was given, as well as those tasks he volunteered to undertake.

To even begin to list his achievements would be a long and dauntless task. And with that in mind let us, together, take a look at an instance or two that will quickly illustrate the spirit of Champ McDaniel.

On the 26th of February 1945 Champ McDaniel, the Company commander of Charlie Company, covered the withdraw of his Marines from an ash covered hill at Iwo Jima. It would have been easy to say "fall back" and safely take care of himself. But that would not have been Champ McDaniel. Instead he faced the advancing enemy, and fought, sometimes hand to hand, to protect his men as they withdrew from their position. In receiving the Navy Cross for his heroic actions Champ thought not of himself, but of the men of Company "C". He proclaimed those men to be the best and bravest. That is the kind of man it is easy to love and admire.

After losing his arm while doing his best to do his duty, he wired his wife-to-be. In his wire he tried to call off their engagement. He did not want Betty Van Pelt burdened with caring for a man with only one arm. Fortunately for all of us, as well as Champ, he had found a woman with a "little polish to her metal". When he arrived back in the United States Betty was there to tell him something like "Look here buster, you are not going to get rid of me as easy as that". With that, a long and fruitful marriage began. Again, we saw that even in his moment of extreme loss, he though not of himself, but of those he loved.

After the war Champ was an inspiration to all of the returning disabled veterans, when he took and passed his CPA exam. And he did not stop there. For the rest of his life he lived with a "can do" spirit, never backing down from a challenge or task, just going foreword, setting an example for all of us to follow.

When Champ left us, he took a piece of each of us with him. We have lost a much-loved family member, a heroic comrade-at-arms, and one of the finest Americans to ever live, in this grand country of ours.

Champ's dedication to his family, to his country, and to his fellow man surely has earned him a place of honor with our loving Lord who is full of grace and mercy.

On this day, The men of Company "C", First Battalion, Twenty-third Marines, Fourth Marine Division who have gone before him, have welcomed Champ McDaniel to his final post. And for those of us who remain, in this place, we say to you, our beloved friend, not goodbye, but, we'll see you later.