When David Eugene Monroe was born on July 1, 1896, in Marion, South Carolina, his father, Thomas, was 34 and his mother, Rachel, was 27. He had two brothers and five sisters. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I as a Second Lieutenant in the 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. He died from his wounds received in battle on September 13, 1918 and is now buried in St. Mihiel American Cemetery, Thiaucourt, France. He also has a memorial in Old Town Cemetery, Marion, Marion County, South Carolina, USA. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in action south of Soissons, France, July 18, 1918. His platoon having been halted by machine gun fire, advanced alone against the nest and captured the gun and crew. Although wounded in this encounter, he returned to his platoon and led them on to its objective. His gallant conduct had a marked effect on his men.

The Marion South Carolina American Legion Post was renamed "Crawford - Monroe Post" in honor of Marion Herbert Crawford and 2LT David Eugene Monroe, two Marion South Carolina soldiers who died within 24 hours of each other during the war.