History:
DANIEL WHITTIER
Real Name: Daniel J. Whittier
Identity/Class: Human (World
War I Era)
Occupation: Soldier
Group Membership: U.S. Marines
Affiliations: Lt. Burgess, Caldwell, Crowell, Danner, Hubbard, Jake, Lacey, Miller, Nolan, Sgt. O'Brian, Reardon, Stone, Wisoki
Enemies: Ejército Defensor de la Soberanía Nacional de Nicaragua, German army
Known Relatives: Michael Whittier, Peter Gimbel (ancestors), Lyle Whittier, Nelson Gimbel, Ron Gimbel, David Gimbel, Miles Whittier, Andrew Whitter, K.C. Whittier, Timothy J. Whittier (descendants), Jenny Whittier (Miles' wife)
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: Nicaragua; France during World War I
First Appearance: Semper Fi I#3 (February, 1989)
Powers/Abilities: Daniel Whittier was an experienced soldier who carried a rifle. During World War I he used a gas mask. He was a good cavalryman on a horse.
Height: Unrevealed
(approximately 6')
Weight: Unrevealed (approximately 177 lbs.)
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brown
History:
(Semper Fi I#3) - In April, 1918, Daniel was serving as a sergeant in the U.S. Marines, engaging in trench warfare in France against Germany. When a barrage from the Germans started, Daniel grabbed his subordinate Hubbard and dragged him to safety.
Two days later, Daniel left Hubbard to report to his captain when a shell struck the captain's base, apparently killing him. Later, Daniel saw Stone looking over the trench and warned him about snipers; Stone was killed by a sniper a moment later and Daniel angrily told his corpse, "I told you to stay low."
After his superiors Lt. Burgess and Sgt. O'Brian were killed, Daniel was placed in charge of his platoon and was warned to expect a raid from the Germans that evening. That night the Germans attacked and Daniel fought them off but was angry when Hubbard froze up, unable to kill them. Daniel was told Lacey had been captured and his men wanted to rescue him but Daniel ordered his men to hold their positions.
A week later, a German gas attack killed Miller while Daniel and Hubbard survived in their gas masks. Two days after that, Daniel was ordered to launch an attack on the Germans and take prisoners. When Daniel asked for volunteers, Hubbard volunteered. Daniel took him aside and questioned whether he really wanted to volunteer but Hubbard insisted he could fight.
During the fight, Hubbard finally proved capable in combat. Daniel and his men killed several Germans but were forced to shoot their would-be captives when they tried to escape. When their side fired artillery as cover, Daniel led his men back to their trenches. On the way back, Daniel told Hubbard he had done well and that it wasn't easy to kill someone.
(Semper Fi I#5) - On October 27, 1927, Daniel was a gunnery sergeant serving with the Marines in Nicaragua while the nation was under U.S. occupation. Led by his Sgt. Major, Daniel's squad was assigned to retrieve pilots from a U.S. plane that had crashed near the Jicaro River. Daniel led his men out on horseback. When they reached a village, Reardon reacted with hostility to the locals, threatening them with his gun; Daniel ordered him to stop, noting the villagers already hated the Marines enough.
Carrying on, the Marines were attacked by "Sandinistas" (Ejército Defensor de la Soberanía Nacional de Nicaragua, freedom fighters seeking to throw the U.S. out of Nicaragua). Driving them off, Daniel and the other sergeants consulted a map as they continued their trip. They finally located the plane but the pilots were already dead, killed by the Sandinistas. Daniel insisted they bring back the pilots' bodies. On the return trip they again engaged in battle with Sandinistas and forced them to retreat. When they took a rest, the Sgt. Major suddenly died of a heart attack. Daniel was moved to tears by the Sgt. Major's death, saying it was a "lousy way to die."
Comments: Created by Michael P. Palladino, Andy Kubert and John Severin.
Semper Fi featured stories of the Whittier family (and their cousins, the Gimbel family), who had members serving in the Marines since its foundation. Daniel was the one active during the first World War.
This profile was completed on 03/05/2026 but its publication was delayed, as it was intended for the Appendix's 25th anniversary celebratory event.
Profile by Prime Eternal.
CLARIFICATIONS:
Daniel Whittier should not be confused with:
images: (without ads)
Semper Fi I#3, page 12, panel 1 (main)
Semper Fi I#3, page 5, panel 6 (face)
Appearances:
Semper Fi I#3 (February, 1989) - Michael P. Palladino (writer), Andy
Kubert (penciler), John Severin (inker), Don Daley (editor)
Semper Fi I#5 (April, 1989) - Michael P. Palladino (writer), Andy Kubert
(penciler), John Severin (inker), Don Daley (editor)
First posted: 09/03/2026
Last updated:
03/05/2026
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
Non-Marvel
Copyright info
All other characters mentioned or pictured are ™ and © 1941-2099 Marvel
Characters, Inc. All Rights Reserved. If you like this stuff, you
should check out the real thing!
Please visit The Marvel Official Site at: http://www.marvel.com
Special Thanks to http://www.g-mart.com/ for hosting the Appendix, Master List, etc.!