Parents Watch Marine Son Escape Battle

COLLINGDALE, Pa. - A local marine was caught in a firefight in Afghanistan.

Half a world away in Delaware County, his family and friends watched in disbelief as a terrifying scene unfolded.

It's not often a family sees first-hand the danger their loved one faces on the battlefield.

Fox 29's Robin Taylor has the story from our partners at the Delaware County Times to explain how it happened this time.

Footage from the battlefield usually involves unnamed troops, but in this case, an Associated Press reporter and photographer and a television news cameraman were traveling with a Delaware County marine during a battle in Afghanistan.

The video looks like a war movie. Only this firefight is real, and it involves a local marine cheating death on the battlefield.

Officer John Daly, Jr. was walking down an alley when the Taliban opened fire. Bullets whiz past the marines' heads as Daly barks out orders. ("Turn the Vic north. Angle the Vic north.")

Thee scenes were posted by the Associated Press. Photos went to newspapers worldwide. Daly's parents saw the battle on the Internet and were relieved that their son was okay.

"I know he was okay. I was a little scared but I know he was okay,and that was good for me. But to see what they actually do is unbelievable,” says mother Jean Petersen.

"It scared the heck out of me because I know he has another six months or so to go,” says John Daly Sr.

The 39-year-old Collingdale native has spent the past 20 years in uniform, fighting in Iraq and now Afghanistan. Back home, his mother's house is covered with patriotic signs showing the pride she has in her son.

"How can you not be proud of somebody who loves what he does? Who loves his country?" asks Petersen.

The battle over the Taliban compound lasted 12 hours. Daly sprained his ankle when he jumped over a wall to get away from the insurgents. He says the rounds were so close that one even skimmed his helmet.

"He just thinks he was very lucky. He thinks they were incredibly bad shots,” says Daly Sr.

Medics transported Daly to a nearby hospital where he e-mailed his family and found out the most frightening day of his life was already playing on YouTube.

Before the reporter and photographers went out they asked who was the longest serving Marine because they wanted to be with someone who knew what he was doing. That's how they ended up shadowing Officer Daly.