Voting Station

Douglas Albert Munro

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Military Personnel

The Resume

    (October 11, 1919-September 27, 1942)
    Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Raised in South Cle Elum, Washington
    Coast Guard Signalman, First Class
    During the Guadalcanal campaign, led the evacuation of a force of Marines whose position was being overrun
    Fatally shot while using the Higgins boat he commanded to shield the evacuating Marines from enemy fire
    Posthumously received the Medal of Honor (May 24, 1943)

Why he might be annoying:

    He chose which college to attend (Central Washington University) based on its proximity to his hometown, so he could continue performing with the local Sons of the American Legion Drum and Bugle Corps.
    He was so slightly built that he spent a week before induction binge eating so he could meet the Coast Guard's minimum weight requirement.
    It apparently ran in the family: his sister Patricia tried to enlist in the Coast Guard Women's Reserve after his death but was rejected for being underweight.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He chose to enlist in the Coast Guard because its primary mission is saving lives.
    His last words, asked about the Marines being evacuated, were 'Did they get off?'
    He was the first (and so far, only) member of the Coast Guard to receive the Medal of Honor.
    He is the only non-Marine to have his name on the Wall of Heroes at the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
    He was the namesake for a Navy destroyer and two Coast Guard cutters.
    The Coast Guard established a scholarship in his name for the children of Coast Guard personnel.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying