Daniel McIlvoy
Regimental Surgeon for the 82nd Airborne/505th Parachute Infantry Regiment
Daniel McIlvoy, Regimental Surgeon for the 82nd Airborne/505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, embodied the Biblical creed of John 15:13–“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” His daughter, Annie Zaya of West Chester, treasures his legacy and is deeply moved by his selfless service.
This past June, on the 80th anniversary of D-Day, McIlvoy was honored in Normandy, represented by Zaya and his other two daughters. Alongside Pathfinder Bob Murphy, Assistant Regimental Surgeon Dr. Robert Franco and 220 of McIlvoy’s medics, he received a posthumous plaque at La Fiere Bridge, recognizing their extraordinary bravery and sacrifice.
“Daddy was an interesting character,” Zaya recalls fondly. “He dropped out of high school and worked in construction to save money for college and medical school. After that, he got a degree from Western Kentucky University and a medical degree from Tulane.”
After a one-year internship in medical school, McIlvoy was called up for active duty during WWII. Before Normandy, he’d served in Sicily, North Africa and Naples, but his D-Day service was particularly notable.
“As soon as Daddy parachuted in,” Zaya recalls, “he set up his aid station, even having been mis-dropped. At Sainte-Mere-Eglise, he triaged soldiers, deciding if they went to the field hospital, the aid station or back to Walter Reed.”
His impact was significant, with Steve Crockett, a WWII historian and Normandy resident, noting that McIlvoy “saved quite a lot of lives” during the battle at La Fiere, which saw 254 killed and 525 wounded.
McIlvoy’s commitment extended beyond treating and saving lives of soldiers. He, Father Matthew Connelly and Reverend Chappie Wood buried their fallen comrades at La Fiere. The deceased were later moved to the American Normandy Cemetery.
Zaya describes her father as “patient, kind and never speaking ill of anyone,” qualities evident in his inspirational words to his young medics: “Boys, we’re going to see a lot of terrible things, but God knows we’re doing the best we can.”
After the war, McIlvoy married, moved to North Carolina for residency and settled in Bowling Green, Kentucky as a pediatrician. Zaya fondly recalls his resilience and adventurous spirit.
“Daddy was a real family man. We went on hikes. He loved the beach. We learned to boat, ski and fish. We had a very fun life with him. He never worried too much,” she says.
McIlvoy’s courage and leadership continue to be celebrated, reflecting the enduring gratitude of both the American and French people to all of our veterans.