Inside the Point Cruz Yacht Club.

Plaque

A rectangular block with a square bronze plaque in the center remembering Signalman First Class Douglas and the Coast Guard Heroes. The plaque is written in English in raised lettering. The left plaque contains a Medal of Honor depiction while the right plaque has the US Coast Guard seal.

In early July 1942 occupied by the Japanese. After the August 7, 1942, U.S. landing at Red Beach, the Japanese fortified the area with defensive positions including trenches and foxholes. Afterward, the Point Cruz area was the site of several important combat actions and battles.

On September 27, 1942, U.S. Marines from Companies A, B, and D of the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines made an amphibious landing from landing craft west of Point Cruz. The Marines moved 500 yards inland to the top of Hill 84 and became trapped by the Japanese. Supported by naval gunfire from USS Monssen (DD-436) they withdrew to the beach area (today the area between the tennis club and the Mendana Hotel, now the National Gallery and Prime Minister's offices. From there, they were extracted by landing craft under heavy fire from Point Cruz. Boat group leader Signalman First Class Douglas Munro was killed and earned the Medal of Honor for his actions.

Source of information: pacificwrecks.com, en.wikipedia.org

Source of photo: Google Maps, coastguardnews.com

Center plaque:

In Memory of

Signalman 1/c Douglas Munro

and the

UNITED STATES COAST GUARD HEROES

of the Guadalcanal Campaign

1942

___________________

" So Others May Live "

Semper Paratus

Honor, Respect, Devotion to Duty

Left plaque:

DOUGLAS ALBERT MUNRO

SIGNALMAN FIRST CLASS

U.S.C.G.

FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM

AND CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY IN

ACTION ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL

OF DUTY AS OFFICER IN CHARGE OF

A GROUP OF 24 HIGGINS BOATS 

ENGAGED IN THE EVACUATION OF 

BATTALION OF MARINES TRAPPED 

BY ENEMY JAPANESE FORCES AT

POINT CRUZ GUADALCANAL ON

9-27,1942. HE GALLANTLY 

GAVE UP HIS LIFE

IN DEFENSE OF

HIS COUNTRY.