Douglas A. Munro, USCG

A Historic Photo Gallery

Photograph original & Official Caption/date/photo number/Photographer (if known)
A portrait photograph of Douglas Munro in his dress blues Original official caption: "DOUGLAS A. MUNRO
HERO OF GUADALCANAL POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED THE. . .MEDAL OF HONOR
Douglas A. Munro, Signalman First Class, U.S. Coast Guard, of Cle Elum, Washington, died heroically on Guadalcanal, September 27, 1942.  He volunteered and successfully led five Higgins boats from the seaplane tender BALLARD to evacuate a detachment of Marines from a point where enemy opposition developed beyond anticipated dimensions. Munro's last words were 'Did they get off?'  The. . .Medal of Honor, the country's highest award, was [posthumously] presented to Munro in May 1943 by President Roosevelt at the White House.  Accepting the award were his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Munro of Cle Elum, Washington."  Rel. No. 05-12-43 (7); no photographer listed. 

Douglas Munro

 No official caption/date/photo number; photographer unknown.  Hand-written caption on back of photo reads: "Douglas A. Munro, 2 or 3 yrs. old."
Douglas Munro No official caption/date/photo number; photographer unknown.  Hand-written caption on back of photo reads: "Douglas A. Munro -- about 1937 or 38; Cle Elum, Washington; Drum & Bugle Corps (VFW sponsored?)."
Douglas Munro "From Public Relations Officer; U.S. Coast Guard; Washington, D.C.; Douglas A. [Munro]; (Navy is releasing story on this man in connection with Solomon Islands Story); 51-3G; Doug A. Munro"
Douglas Munro No official caption/date/photo number; photographer unknown.  Hand written caption on photo-copy of photo reads: "Dale E Cox  Douglas Munro, Cle Elum, WA, 1939 or 40."
Douglas Munro "'BEYOND CALL OF DUTY' America's most prized decoration, the. . .Medal of Honor, was awarded Thursday to Coast Guardsman Douglas A. Munro, who died at Guadalcanal.  President Roosevelt presented the medal to the Coast Guardsman's parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Munro of South Cle Elum, Washington, at simple ceremonies in the White House.  Munro, shown above in a snapshot taken by a shipmate, gave his life while engaged in evacuating a Marine battalion beleaguered by the Japanese." No date; Photo No. 526432; no photographer listed.
Douglas Munro No official caption/date/photo number; photographer unknown. Hand written notation on copy of photo reads: "[On board USCGC] Spencer, Oct. 1940; D. E. Maxwell & Doug Munro." Another notation reads: "I know Vern Maxwell and he's about 5' 9" or 5' 10" -- weighed about 140# in 1940. 
Douglas Munro No official caption/date/photo number; photographer unknown.  Hand-written notation on copy of photograph reads: "[On board USCGC] Spencer, Oct. 1940; D. E. Maxwell & Doug Munro; Ross Bullard (officer on far right)."

Douglas Munro

 "Release No. 113-67 [;] See covering story 'DID THEY GET OFF?'. . .LAST WORDS OF COAST GUARD'S ONLY. . .MEDAL OF HONOR WINNER [;] Coast Guardsman Douglas A. Munro sent his family this snapshot of himself wearing side arms on board ship before he died a hero evacuating a battalion of Marines trapped by the Japanese at Point Cruz, Guadalcanal, September 27, 1942, during World War II."  No date/photo number; photographer not listed.
A photo of a map of the battle in which Munro was killed in action Map of Matanikau Battle.
Douglas Munro Official Coast Guard painting of Munro's last moments while evacuating Marines at Guadalcanal. 

The painting's original title was "Douglas A. Munro Covers the Withdrawal of the 7th Marines at Guadalcanal" and was painted by artist Bernard D'Andrea for the Coast Guard Bicentennial Celebration.
Douglas Munro's Medal of Honor "COAST GUARDSMAN HONORED IN DEATH [;] The ...Medal of Honor, awarded to Coast Guardsman Douglas A. Munro, who died at Guadalcanal, was given to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Munro of South Cle Elum, Washington, by President Roosevelt at the White House Thursday (May 27).  Obverse of the medal, awarded for 'extra-ordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action above and beyond the call of duty," is shown above.  The Coast Guardsman gave his life while engaged in evacuating a Marine battalion trapped by the Japanese." No date; Photo No. 1622; photographer not listed.

The reverse side of Munro's Medal of Honor

 "COAST GUARDSMAN HONORED IN DEATH [;] The. . .Medal of Honor, awarded to Coast Guardsman Douglas A. Munro, who died at Guadalcanal, was given to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Munro of South Cle Elum, Washington, by President Roosevelt at the White House Thursday (May 27).  Reverse of the medal, awarded for 'extra-ordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action above and beyond the call of duty," is shown above.  The Coast Guardsman gave his life while engaged in evacuating a Marine battalion trapped by the Japanese." No date; Photo No. 1623; photographer not listed.
Guadalcanal Memorial to Douglas Munro No official caption/date/photo number; photo courtesy of Geoff Allen.  Not an official U.S. Coast Guard photo.

A photo of the memorial to Douglas Munro at the Point Cruz Yacht Club, Honiara, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.
A portrait photograph of Edith Munro in her SPAR uniform No official caption/date/photo number; photographer not listed.  Hand-written notation on back of photo reads: "Mrs. Edith F. Munro as Lt., U.S.C.G. 'Spars'".

Click here for her official biography.
Ray Evans No official caption/date/photo number; photographer unknown. Raymond Evans' enlistment photo.
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Last Modified 8/30/2012