The spirit and sacrifice of one Coast Guard signalman in charge of landing craft was so appreciated by the Marine Corps that for a while, Marines who greeted Coast Guard officers would say, “Douglas Munro.”
On Sept. 27, a battalion of Marines (from the 7th Division, now stationed at Twentynine Palms) was trapped and overpowered by enemy forces. Here’s part of what Munro’s Medal of Honor citation says: “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.”
After Munro was wounded trying to cover a boat stuck on a reef, it was reported that his final words were, “Did they get off?” When told yes, he smiled and died.
