This is the 2nd of the series of caches dedicated to real heroes who received the Congressional Medal of Honor, our country's highest military honor "for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty". The 1st series highlighted Delaware's MOH recipients. Of the millions who have served in the military, only about 3500 men and 1 woman have received our nation's highest honor.
Douglas Munro served in the United States Coast Guard during World War II as a Petty Officer Signalman First Class. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery at Point Cruz, Guadalcanal Island, on September 27, 1942 during the Second Battles of the Matanikau. His citation reads "For 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. 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 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." It was reported that his last words were "Did they get off"? He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who presented it to his family at the White House in Washington, DC in May 1943. Two Coast Guard cutters were named in his honor (“USCGC Munro” (WHEC-724) and “USCGC Munro” (WMSL-755), as well as the destroyer escort “USS Douglas A. Munro” (DE-422). His Medal is on display at the United States Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May, New Jersey. He is the only member in Coast Guard history to be awarded the Medal of Honor.