Legendary Marine Never Forgot The Face Of The Man Who Rescued His Unit

Douglas Munro was part of the United States Coast Guard during World War II, and he found himself in the thick of the action. The sailor, just 22 years old, knew that the only way an entire Marine unit could be saved in the Pacific was if someone stepped up. They needed a leader — so he bravely put himself forward.

No surprise

Not everyone would be so willing to throw themselves into danger like that, especially in such a high-pressure situation. But for those who knew Munro, his actions that day didn’t come as much of a surprise. After all, selflessness had been one of his defining character traits long before the conflict began.

Moving to America

Following his birth in the fall of 1919 Munro spent his first couple of years living in Vancouver, Canada. Then his parents Edith and James opted for a change of scenery, packing their bags for the United States. The family went on to make a new home in Cle Elum, Washington.

Talented athlete

And as Munro got older, he really started to embrace whatever physical tasks came his way. Yes, the youngster often showed off his athleticism at school, proving his natural talent by excelling at various sports. Still, it wouldn’t be fair to say that the future U.S. Coast Guardsman was only focused on himself during that period.

Living through the Great Depression

You see, despite the Great Depression continuing to grip the country, his father was able to retain his employment. This in turn meant his clan avoided the financial hardships that blighted so many others in that difficult spell. Munro recognized their privileged position, and it prompted him to do something quite remarkable.