DOUGLAS W. GILLETTE, LTJG, USNR
Douglas Gillette '42
Douglas Wiley Gillette was admitted to the Naval Academy from North Carolina on July 13, 1938 at age 19 years 10 months.
He resigned on June 3, 1940 because he was “deficient in studies, second term’s work. Recommended to be dropped. Permitted to resign.”
Photographs
Loss
Douglas was killed in action on October 26, 1942 with Japanese forces when USS Hornet (CV 8) was sunk during the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands.
Other Information
From Wikipedia:
Douglas Wiley Gillette was born September 10, 1918, in Wilmington, North Carolina. He enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve on March 5, 1936. After serving at Norfolk, Va., in McDougal (DD-358), and after studying at the United States Naval Academy and Northwestern University, he was commissioned Ensign on September 12, 1941. Ordered to active duty in the aircraft carrier Hornet (CV-8) on November 17, 1941, he was appointed Lieutenant (j.g.) (temporary). He was killed in enemy action in the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands on October 26, 1942, while serving in Hornet.
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Douglas was born the day his father, a member of the AEF (American Expeditionary Forces,) received his citation and Silver Star for extraordinary heroism in the Second Battle of the Somme.
Douglas attended New Hanover High School in North Carolina for two years but graduated in 1938 from a school in Oahu, Hawaii. His family lived in the Schofield Barracks. In addition to the Naval Academy, Douglas attended the University of North Carolina, George Washington University, and Northwestern University. He entered the Navy in September, 1942, and was promoted from the rank of ensign on October 1.
His father, Col. George Gillette, was the U.S. Army Engineer for the Boston District composed of Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Formerly, he was the Wilmington District Army Engineer who later became executive officer of the Engineer Training Center at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Douglas’ mother was Pearl, brother Lt. George Jr., served in the Civil Engineer Corps, USN, and his sister was Rena, Mrs. John A. Miller.
He has a memory marker in North Carolina. He was survived by his parents, brother, and sister.
Namesakes
Destroyer escort 270 (DE 270) was named USS Gillette on February 23, 1943, in honor of Douglas. However, upon completion the ship was transferred immediately to the Royal Navy and commissioned as HMS Foley (K474). This ship was later returned to the US Navy and served as USS Foley (DE 270).
USS Gillette (DE 681) was commissioned in the US Navy on October 27, 1943; this ship was sponsored by Douglas's mother, Pearl.
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