Medal of Honor: Douglas Albert Munro, World War II, September 27, 1942

Name: Douglas Albert Munro

Rank: Signalman First Class
War: World War II
Date of Action: September 27, 1942
Unit: U.S. Coast Guard, in support of the 1st Marine Division
Accredited to: Washington

Summary of Action

On September 27, 1942, during the vicious campaign for Guadalcanal, nearly 500 Marines were cut off by a heavily armed Japanese force at Point Cruz. Surrounded and under relentless fire, the battalion faced certain destruction if they could not be evacuated. Signalman First Class Douglas Munro, just 22 years old, was placed in charge of the rescue operation, commanding 24 Higgins boats. Calm under pressure, he laid out the plan and personally led the first five boats through withering enemy fire to the embattled shoreline.

As Japanese machine guns raked the beach and strafed the waters, Munro maneuvered his craft to draw the enemy’s attention. Placing his boat directly between the enemy and the evacuation line, he transformed his small, lightly armed vessel into a shield for the Marines loading onto the landing craft. From this exposed position, his two deck guns answered the Japanese fire as his crew held their ground.

Through the chaos, Munro’s steady leadership kept the evacuation organized, saving hundreds of Marines who otherwise would have been trapped and overwhelmed. When the last of the survivors were nearly away, a burst of enemy fire struck Munro, killing him instantly. His final thoughts, recorded by those at his side, were of the mission and the men he was protecting—asking with his dying breath, “Did they get off?” His gallant sacrifice and unflinching devotion to his comrades turned certain slaughter into survival, making him the only member of the U.S. Coast Guard ever awarded the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor Citation
For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in 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 machine guns 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.