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Memorial stands on parade ground, directly in front of unit Admin Builidng Douglas A Munro Memorial
USCG Recruit Training Center
Cape May, Cape May County

"Presented by the Department of New Jersey
Veterans of Foreign Wars of The United States
September 1989"

"Dedicated September 23, 1989

United States Coast Guard Training Center, Cape May, New Jersey, from the officers and staff

Sculptor Carey Boone Nelson
Special appreciation to the Department of New Jersey Veterans of Foreign Wars for the realization of this memorial in honor of the Coast Guard's only Medal of Honor recipient - Douglas A. Munro"

"In memory of Coast Guardsmen who served in World War II"

"Dedicated to the Coast Guard Auxilliary"

  Most civilians never have the opportunity to visit this memorial to the Coast Guard's only Medal of Honor recipient, Douglas A. Munro. During the invasion of Guadalcanal in 1942 Signalman First Class Munro was in charge of 24 Higgins boats tasked to rescue about 500 Marines trapped on a beach that was taking heavy Japanese fire. In order to ensure that several boats could embark the Marines safely, Munro placed his Higgins boat in the line of fire... and he took many hits. Ignoring his own fatal wounds he continued to direct the operation of the small force, ensuring the rescue of the Marines.

I am happy to say the Marines have not forgotten and that I am frequently reminded by their veterans that a Coast Guardsman was responsible for many World War II Marines returning home to their families.

And the Navy didn't forget either. In 1944 they commissioned DDE-422, USS Douglas A Munro. She served with distinction during the remainder of World War II and Korea.

Two other memorials are also found aboard training Training Center; one honors the effort and sacrifice of those men and women of the US Coast Guard Auxilliary. Since World War II they have donated millions of patrol hours in an effort to maximize the resources available to the service. Relocated from its' original location directly behind the main gain is a memorial to the Coast Guardsmen of World War II.

Click HERE for a journal entry about my stay aboard the Recruit Training Center.