Chicago Mayor’s Son Enlists in the Army

CHICAGO —  Mayor Richard M. Daley’s son, whose name and degree from one of the nation’s most prestigious universities would have opened doors to a lucrative career, has instead joined the Army and could be sent to the battlefields of Iraq or Afghanistan.

Patrick Daley, 29, who got his master’s of business administration from the University of Chicago in June, said he “always wanted to find a way to serve ... just like my grandfather and father.” He said the Sept. 11 attacks played a role in his decision to enlist in the airborne infantry.

“Think of it. It’s amazing. I get to serve my country,” he told the Chicago Sun-Times, which disclosed his enlistment in a story Tuesday.

The mayor said he was very proud of his son’s decision. He said that he was concerned about his son’s safety but did not try to talk him out of it.

“He believes that is part of public service,” the mayor said.

Daley will report during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day to Ft. Benning, Ga., where he will undergo basic training, advanced infantry training and airborne training for 20 weeks, said Bill Kelo, spokesman for the Army’s recruiting battalion in Chicago.

After that, Daley could be sent anywhere, including Iraq or Afghanistan, Kelo said.

Kelo said Daley asked that the Army not publicize his decision.

“He didn’t want to make a big deal out of it,” Kelo said. “He didn’t want any special treatment, and he didn’t want any special coverage.”

Daley declined all interview requests Tuesday. He spoke only to the Sun-Times.

Daley, who briefly attended West Point as a college freshman and later graduated from the University of Illinois, comes from a famous Democratic family. His father was first elected mayor in 1989.

His grandfather, Richard J. Daley, was Chicago’s iron-fisted mayor for more than two decades before his death in 1976.