Hugh Spencer Daniel (December 26, 1923 – October 1942) was a United States Marine Corps Reservist who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross. The destroyer escort USS Daniel (DE-335) was named after him. Daniel was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on June 9, 1941. Joining USS Hornet (CV-8) on 19 October 1941, he remained on board until his death 2 days after the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands on October 26, 1942. His rank was Private First Class.