This cache is one in a series placed by the Military Association of GeoCachers - Northern Virginia Chapter (MAGC-NoVA) to honor recipients of the Congressional Medal Honor (CMOH). The CMOH is the highest award that a member of the U.S. military can receive. For more information on the medal, go to this link: http://www.cmohs.org/medal-history.php.
The cache is along a bike/walking path. The difficulty reflects the stealth required. Neighborhood parking is available along with a nearby shopping center.
Best Theme/Series!
This cache honors Douglas A. Munro.
Douglas Albert Munro (October 11, 1919 – September 27, 1942) was an American Coast Guardsman who was posthumously decorated with the Medal of Honor for an act of "extraordinary heroism" during World War II. As of 2019, he is the only person to have received the medal for actions performed during service in the United States Coast Guard.
Born in Canada to an expatriate American father and a British émigré mother, Munro's family repatriated to the United States when he was a child. He was raised in South Cle Elum, Washington and attended Central Washington College of Education before leaving to volunteer for military service shortly before U.S. entrance into World War II. Along with his shipmate Raymond Evans he was known as one of the "Gold Dust Twins", so-called due to the duo's inseparability. During the Second Battle of the Matanikau in September 1942, Munro was tasked with leading the extrication of a force of United States Marines that had been overrun. He died of a gunshot wound in 1942 at the age of 22 while using the boat he was piloting to shield a landing craft filled with Marines from Japanese fire.
Numerous ships and buildings have been named after Munro, and several memorials and monuments dedicated to him. The anniversary of his death is annually observed in Cle Elum, Washington and at the Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, and his grave has been designated a historical site by Washington State. He is the namesake of the "Douglas Munro March", the Navy League's Douglas A. Munro Award, the Coast Guard Foundation's Douglas Munro Scholarship Fund, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars' Douglas Munro-Robert H. Brooks Post. He is the only non-Marine to have his name enshrined on the Wall of Heroes of the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION:
For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry m action above and beyond the call of duty as Petty Officer in Charge of a group of 24 Higgins boats, engaged in the evacuation of a battalion of marines trapped by enemy Japanese forces at Point Cruz Guadalcanal, on 27 September 1942. After making preliminary plans for the evacuation of nearly 500 beleaguered marines, Munro, under constant strafing by enemy machineguns on the island, and at great risk of his life, daringly led 5 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 2 small guns as a shield between the beachhead and the Japanese. When the perilous task of evacuation was nearly completed, Munro was instantly killed by enemy fire, but his crew, 2 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 his life for his country.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Albert_Munro