Signalman First Class Douglas A. Munro of the U.S. Coast Guard, from Cle Elum, Washington, was in charge of landing craft evacuating 500 besieged Marines from the beaches of Guadalcanal on September 22, 1942. Near the completion of the mission, the few Marines remaining on the beach were pinned down by Japanese gunfire, and Munro used his boat to cover the Marines' escape. Within minutes after the last Marine was safe, he was fatally wounded. In recognition of his extraordinary bravery in the line of duty, he became the first and only Coast Guardsman to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. The Coast Guard Cutter Munro is named in his honor. He was born in Cle Elum, Washington, graduated from Cle Elum High School in 1937, attended Central Washington University, and enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1938.