USS Douglas H. Fox (DD-779)

USS Douglas H. Fox (DD-779)

USS Douglas H. Fox (DD-779) an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, was named in honor of Lieutenant Commander Douglas H. Fox, the commanding officer of the USS Barton (DD-599), who went down with his ship when she was torpedoed and sunk in the naval battle of Guadalcanal 13 November 1942. Fox was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his contribution to the defeat of a superior enemy force in this battle, and was later awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a second Navy Cross for earlier actions on 26 and 30 October and 3 November, when he rescued survivors of USS Hornet (CV-8) under hazardous conditions.

Douglas H. Fox was launched 30 September 1944 by Todd-Pacific Shipyards, Inc., Seattle, Washington; sponsored by Mrs. J. T. Boone; and commissioned 26 December 1944, Commander R. M. Pitts in command.