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Only Coast Guard Medal of Honor recipient remembered
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Posted on Sep 29 2011
APRA HARBOR, Guam-This week marks the 69th anniversary of the death of Signalman First Class Douglas Munro, the Coast Guard’s only Medal of Honor recipient who gave his life protecting 500 U.S. Marines in World War II.
The award was presented posthumously by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to Munro’s parents, Edith and James Munro, at the White House in May 1943.
The citation reads: “For the extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action above and beyond the call of duty as Officer-in-Charge of a group of Higgins boats, engaged in the evacuation of a battalion of Marines trapped by enemy Japanese forces at Point Cruz, Guadalcanal, on Sept. 27, 1942. After making preliminary plans for the evacuation of nearly 500 beleaguered Marines, Munro, under constant risk of his life, daringly led five of his small craft toward the shore. As he closed the beach, he signaled the others to land, and then in order to draw the enemy’s fire and protect the heavily loaded boats, he valiantly placed his craft with its two small guns as a shield between the beachhead and the Japanese. When the perilous task of evacuation was nearly completed, Munro was killed by enemy fire, but his crew, two of whom were wounded, carried on until the last boat had loaded and cleared the beach. By his devotion to duty, he and his courageous comrades undoubtedly saved the lives of many who otherwise would have perished in defense of our country.”
In honor of Munro’s legacy, the U.S. Coast Guard commissioned a high endurance cutter in his name. Coast Guard cutter Munro celebrates its 40th anniversary this week and is underway in the Northern Pacific to commemorate this significant event in Coast Guard history.
Munro’s final words were, “Did they make it off?” ascertaining if all of the Marines pinned down on the beaches Guadalcanal were safely rescued. A wreath, with the signatures of all current crewmembers and a plaque that reads, “Yes they did,” in answer to his final question will be laid in the Pacific. (USCG)
