I left off a few days ago telling you about how the United States navy honored the Coast Guard's Douglas Munro from British Columbia, with the 1944 naming off the Destroyer escort USS Douglas A Munro. A vessel that was sponsored by Doug's mother, Edith who was serving as a Coast Guard Lt. Jnr. Grade in the SPARs.
The Coast Guard motto is Semper Paratus, the English translation being... Always Ready. Thus... the SPAR nickname! And while Edith joined it in early 1943, it was very new at the time, having just being created by the President in November of 42... and less than 2 months after Douglas was killed in action at Guadalcanal.
The Coast Guard motto is Semper Paratus, the English translation being... Always Ready. Thus... the SPAR nickname! And while Edith joined it in early 1943, it was very new at the time, having just being created by the President in November of 42... and less than 2 months after Douglas was killed in action at Guadalcanal.
For the past 70 years and more the Navy, the Marines, the US Coast Guard, politicians, and veterans, the US Post, and people from many other walks of life in the United States have repeatedly given praise to Douglas for his actions back in 1942.
There is a road, a boulevard and an avenue honoring Douglas. There are plaques, monuments and statutes, buildings and a massive complex in his name. There are videos, some on utube, songs and poems, and even a 1959 Classic Illustrated comic book telling this important military story of heroism. And now there's a book on him. In 2000 the US Navy League created an Inspirational Leadership Award in his name. Not to be outdone, the Coast Guard's Foundation also have Munro scholarship program.
Seen above is the 2nd of several homes of the American Legion's post # 356 named in honor of Douglas. It is located at Lynn Haven Florida. There is also a Veterans of Foreign War Post (#1373) named for Douglas at Cle Elum Washington, his home for many years and where he lies (with other members of the family including Edith) at rest today at the Laurel Hill Memorial Park. I understand his grave has not only been declared a state historic site but also an officially declared detachment of the US Coast Guard.
There is a road, a boulevard and an avenue honoring Douglas. There are plaques, monuments and statutes, buildings and a massive complex in his name. There are videos, some on utube, songs and poems, and even a 1959 Classic Illustrated comic book telling this important military story of heroism. And now there's a book on him. In 2000 the US Navy League created an Inspirational Leadership Award in his name. Not to be outdone, the Coast Guard's Foundation also have Munro scholarship program.
Seen above is the 2nd of several homes of the American Legion's post # 356 named in honor of Douglas. It is located at Lynn Haven Florida. There is also a Veterans of Foreign War Post (#1373) named for Douglas at Cle Elum Washington, his home for many years and where he lies (with other members of the family including Edith) at rest today at the Laurel Hill Memorial Park. I understand his grave has not only been declared a state historic site but also an officially declared detachment of the US Coast Guard.
Over 40,000 members of the public and military annually tour through the US Coast Guard Training Center Cape May in New Jersey. Many no doubt visit the statue of Douglas and give thoughts to the days of horror at Guadalcanal. In the immediate future there are hopes that over 1,400 names of Guardsman who lost their lives in performance of duty will have their names emblazoned on a memorial to be funded by the enlisted men's and women's guard foundation on this very site. A most worthwhile project. They and their mates going back to day one have rescued, and documented, the saving of OVER ONE MILLION lives.
I am told that Munro's signal shown above means to basically disregard the last message sent. Also at Cape May stands an administration building named after Douglas, and within this is yet another memorial which including the above picture and actual citation for his Medal of Honor.
I am told that Munro's signal shown above means to basically disregard the last message sent. Also at Cape May stands an administration building named after Douglas, and within this is yet another memorial which including the above picture and actual citation for his Medal of Honor.
On 27 September 1971 construction began of this very powerful looking high endurance Coast Guard cutter. The building yard had produced five previously of the same design and all were named in honour of Secretaries of the Treasury. But on this day, 29 years to the day that Douglas Munro was killed in action, his name was memorialized by this ship's carrying his name.
It is 378 ft. long, and is home for a normal crew of about 15 officers and 150 men and women. It is still a force to reckon with almost 45 years of commendable service and calls Alaska its current home.
Thousands of American ships have been named in honour of sailor and marine heroes over the years. I know of almost a dozen warships that honor Canadians.
It is 378 ft. long, and is home for a normal crew of about 15 officers and 150 men and women. It is still a force to reckon with almost 45 years of commendable service and calls Alaska its current home.
Thousands of American ships have been named in honour of sailor and marine heroes over the years. I know of almost a dozen warships that honor Canadians.
On 5 January 2011 Coast Guard Admiral Christopher Colvin, retired MOH recipient Major Drew Dix, MOH recipient ?, MOH recipient retired Lt.Colonel Jay Vargas Ships Captain Mathew Bell and another dignitary attended a most formal event on board the Cutter Douglas Munro at its home base at Kodiac Alaska.
The Congressional Medal of Honor Society and Tri West Healthcare Alliance co-sponsored the creation and unveiling of an actual bust to Douglas, and at the ceremony above an actual Medal of Honor was placed around Douglas' neck.
A very moving u tube video of the event can be seen at... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zgafa8T4EXQ
Two other great videos on Douglas can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vdtM83f-aY and at .... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lj0lzdDwAE0
The gift coin set honouring Douglas was produced in limited quantities by the Coast Guard Foundation with funds going towards scholarship programs for qualifying Coast Guard family members. Noted in a previous blog, I was told at the time that my purchase was the only one in Canada. Hopefully more have come north since then.
The Congressional Medal of Honor Society and Tri West Healthcare Alliance co-sponsored the creation and unveiling of an actual bust to Douglas, and at the ceremony above an actual Medal of Honor was placed around Douglas' neck.
A very moving u tube video of the event can be seen at... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zgafa8T4EXQ
Two other great videos on Douglas can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vdtM83f-aY and at .... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lj0lzdDwAE0
The gift coin set honouring Douglas was produced in limited quantities by the Coast Guard Foundation with funds going towards scholarship programs for qualifying Coast Guard family members. Noted in a previous blog, I was told at the time that my purchase was the only one in Canada. Hopefully more have come north since then.
In July of 2013 this space brought you a blog about the massive new Headquarters building for the US Coast Guard, (shown at right,) at Washington DC, and how they had received permission from Congress to name it in honour of Munro.
Below this is an image of Medal of Honor recipient Barney Barnum, a past President of the MOH Foundation, and the Coast Guard's Admiral Papp, the Commandant of the Guard. Between them at the HQ stands a 2nd bust of Douglas, this one at twice the life size of our hero.
While there are several other memorials that space precludes mention today, I must end with this...
Below this is an image of Medal of Honor recipient Barney Barnum, a past President of the MOH Foundation, and the Coast Guard's Admiral Papp, the Commandant of the Guard. Between them at the HQ stands a 2nd bust of Douglas, this one at twice the life size of our hero.
While there are several other memorials that space precludes mention today, I must end with this...
This is a twin of what's to come... #755... and like this one..is 418 ft. long, some 4500 tones, and will carry a crew of about 110. And it was sponsored mid November and expected to be in service within about a year.
Above and standing below the bow of the Navy's Destroyer Escort Douglas A Munro is Edith Munro. She is christening the naval ship back in 1944.
At her right, and above is her Great Grand Daughter... Julie Sheehan. She too was honoured to be sponsoring another war vessel. This time a Coast Guard vessel... #755, and guess what...this one is also named after Douglas Munro, at the very time when its first one is still on duty in Alaska.
I will be returning to the Munro story as the months go on. In the mean time I would plead with you to please go to the three links given above to get further information on this Canadian born US raised hero.
Having covered many of the memorials in the US to Douglas, I would love to hear from you and your thoughts for a recognition... or many within our own country to this man and the 100 or more others covered in this space that donned the US uniform and were later awarded the Medal of Honor.
I am currently leaning towards a statue in the Vancouver area, but more on that at a later date.
Cheers till next Sunday when I will bring another major update on another hero often covered in this space.
Bart
At her right, and above is her Great Grand Daughter... Julie Sheehan. She too was honoured to be sponsoring another war vessel. This time a Coast Guard vessel... #755, and guess what...this one is also named after Douglas Munro, at the very time when its first one is still on duty in Alaska.
I will be returning to the Munro story as the months go on. In the mean time I would plead with you to please go to the three links given above to get further information on this Canadian born US raised hero.
Having covered many of the memorials in the US to Douglas, I would love to hear from you and your thoughts for a recognition... or many within our own country to this man and the 100 or more others covered in this space that donned the US uniform and were later awarded the Medal of Honor.
I am currently leaning towards a statue in the Vancouver area, but more on that at a later date.
Cheers till next Sunday when I will bring another major update on another hero often covered in this space.
Bart
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