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During the Guadalcanal Campaign, U.S. Coast Guard Signalman First Class Douglas Munro was in Officer-in-Charge of a detachment of ten boats which landed U.S. Marines at the scene. After successfully taking them ashore, he returned with his boats and learned that conditions ashore were different from what had been anticipated, and that it was necessary to immediately evacuate the nearly 500 Marines. Munro volunteered for the job and brought the boats to shore under heavy enemy fire, then proceeded to evacuate the men on the beach. When most of them were in the boats, complications arose in evacuating the last men, who Munro realized would be in the greatest danger. He accordingly placed himself and his boats so that they would serve as cover for the last men to leave. Among the Marines evacuated that day was Lieutenant Colonel Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, USMC, in command of 1st Battalion, 7th Marines. During this action, Munro was fatally wounded. He remained conscious long enough to say only four words: "Did they get off?"

He gave his life in the successful rescue, and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, to date the only Coast Guardsman to receive the decoration. His story, “Guardian Of Guadalcanal," is now available through the AuxA website. It is a must-read for anyone serving or who has served on Team Coast Guard. Salute his valor by adding it to your library. For each book sold through our website, a donation will be made to AuxA in support of USCGAUX.