Douglas Albert Munro

Notes:

Douglas, a signalman first class of the U.S. Coast Guard, died heroically on Guadalcanal 27 Sep 1942, after successfully completing his voluntary assignment to evacuate a detachment of Marines from a point where enemy opposition developed beyond anticipated dimensions. His final words were, "Did we get them all off?" They had! He was only 22 years old.

For this action, he was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Roosevelt. He is the only member of the U.S. Coast Guard ever to have received this honor.

Following is a copy of the citation:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to DOUGLAS ALBERT MUNRO, SIGNALMAN FIRST CLASS, UNITED STATES COAST GUARD for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

"For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action above and beyond the call of duty as Officer in Charge of a group of twenty-four Higgins boats engaged in the evacuation of a battalion of Marines trapped by enemy Japanese forces at Point Cruz, Guadalcanal, on September 27, 1942. After making preliminary plans for the evacuation of nearly five hundred beleaguered Marines, MUNRO, under constant strafing by enemy machine guns on the island and at great 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 outstanding leadership, expert planning and dauntless devotion to duty, he and his courageous comrades undoubtedly saved the lives of many who otherwise would have perished. He gallantly gave up his life in defense of his country."
/s/ FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT

Douglas was raised and educated in S. Cle Elum, Washington. His interests were the patterns of most young men. He loved to ski, swim and especially roam and camp in the mountains near his home. Douglas was a natural leader and he enjoyed working with others. He trained young boys in the drum and bugle corps and served as a Drum Major in high school and at Central Washington College of Education.

In 1939, he left college to enlist in the U.S. Coast Guard, "because the Coast Guard is dedicated to saving lives," he told friends. He had an outstanding record and was promoted rapidly through the various ratings to signalman, first class.

He was shot in the head and killed while evacuating 500 Marines who were pinned down by Japanese fire on a beach on Guadalcanal.

In December 1970, then Secretary of Transportation, John A. Volpe eulogized Douglas in New Orleans, Louisiana, at the launching of the 378-foot cutter USSCGC MUNRO. A statue of Douglas was unveiled at the Coast Guard Recruit Training Center, Cape May, New Jersey, on 27 September 1989. The Training Center's main street, Munro Avenue and a recruit barracks, Munro Hall, were named after him.

Ref: Clan Munro files - Munro, Douglas Albert

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Buried:
Cle Elum Cemetery

Notes:

He was of South Cle Elum, Washington. His son, Douglas, was killed at Guadalcanal, during World War II. Douglas was a signalman first class in the U.S. Coast Guard, and he posthumously received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroics at Guadalcanal. Douglas is the only coast guardsman ever to receive the Medal of Honor.

A 378 foot cutter, the USSCGC Munro, named after his son, was commissioned in New Orleans, Louisiana in December 1970, and a statue of his son, Douglas, was unveiled at the Coast Guard Recruit Training Center, Cape May, New Jersey on 27 Sep 1989, the 47th anniversary of Douglas' heroic death.

James' wife, Edith, was educated at St. Mary's School, Liscard, Wallasey Cheshire, Manor Road School, Egremont-Cheshire, England, and attended Foncar Business College, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She worked as a secretary before her marriage.

Edith entered the U.S. Coast Guard after her son, Douglas, lost his life at Guadalcanal. Commissioned a Lieutenant (jg) on 27 May 1943, she was ordered to duty in August of that year, and subsequently served for more than two years on active duty as a SPAR officer.

After training at the Coast Guard Academy, New London, Connecticut, she was assigned in December to the 13th Coast Guard District, and assumed command of the SPAR Barracks, Assembly Hotel, Seattle, Washington. She also served as Women's Reserve Personnel Officer, from January 1945.

While Seattle was her permanent station, Lieutenant Munro performed temporary duty in various parts of the country, including Long Beach, California; Houston, Texas; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Washington, D.C.

She was retired on 1 Nov 1945, in the rank of Lieuteanat, a promotion she received on 1 Jul 1944. For the outstanding manner in which she performed her duties, Lieutenant Munro received a letter of commendation.

They lived in Renton, Washington and at PO Box 653, South Cle Elum, Washington.

Ref: Clan Munro files - Munro, Douglas Albert

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

James married Edith Fairey on 19 Sep 1914 in Vancouver, , British Columbia, Canada. Edith was born on 16 Apr 1895 in Liverpool, , Lancashire, England; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA