On this National Medal of Honor Day, we honor the brave men and women who have received our nation’s highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor.
Cle Elum is honored to be the final resting place of Signalman First Class Douglas A. Munro, a true American hero, and the U.S. Coast Guard's only Medal of Honor recipient.
Coast Guardsman Munro's citation, when his medal was presented at the White House to his mother Edith by President Franklin D. Roosevelt read:
"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 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 instantly 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 his life for his country."
Global Business Journalist | Executive Communications
1ynice work! soon to be mayor!