View source for DOUGLAS H. FOX, LCDR, USN

{{KeyDates|name_class=Douglas Fox '26|DoB=March 26, 1905|DoD=November 13, 1942|Age=37}}

{{LuckyBag|LBLink=https://archive.org/details/luckybag1926unse|class=1926
|picture=1926 Fox LB.jpg
|LBName=Douglas Harold Fox
|LBHometown=Dowagiac, Michigan
|LBNickname="Doug" "De Haven"
|LBText=THE term Big-hearted was coined to use on Doug. He gives away everything that he possesses, this includes his time and his knowledge—which he imparted liberally and without reservation. Douglas was always an active member of 26's most popular fraternal organization—the Radiator Club. Since Youngster year, when bridge became allowable, he has had few equals in that field. As a cross-word puzzle fan he is without a peer, he works 'em from reveille until taps and then dreams about 'em. And speaking of taps it was only classical music he really enjoyed. However, Douglas had his eccentricities. He could not be bribed, inveigled, or persuaded into attending a hop. He seems to have dreaded the thought of so many of the unfair sex gathered together at one time. Here we might hearken to the fables of the French, Cherchez la Femme. Doug wrote regularly to a redheaded girl, and if we owned a photo, like the one on his
locker door, hops would hold very little attraction. Athletically, he was always one of the stalwart members of the combined sub and weak-squads. He was too much of a man to stoop to rope climbing.
</p><p>
In the Academics he was equally consistent; sometimes boning all of ten minutes on a subject; yet if anyone wanted to know how to work a prob, or didn't quite savvy something, they would ask Doug. He invariably knew. Everyone likes him—judge for yourself.
|LBECAs=''Football B Squad (4).''}}

== Loss ==
Douglas was [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56772761/douglas-harold-fox lost] when [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Barton_(DD-599) USS Barton (DD 599)] was sunk during the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Battle_of_Guadalcanal Naval Battle of Guadalcanal] on November 13, 1942. He had been in command since the ship's commissioning on May 29, 1942. 

The wartime service of <span class='smallcaps'>Barton</span> and her officers and crew are detailed in [http://destroyerhistory.org/assets/pdf/wilde/599barton_wilde.pdf this wonderful history].

== Other Information ==
From researcher Kathy Franz:
<blockquote>
Douglas graduated in 1922 from Dowagiac Union high school. “Doug.” Editor Wahoo, Band ’20 ’21 ’22, Football ’21. “It Pays to Advertise,” Oratory ’22, President Le Cercle Francais, Military Training ’20, “La Poudre Aux Yeux.” “I am not only witty myself, but the cause of that wit is in other men.” Photo collector. Prophecy: I have always seen Douglas Fox in a court room and many are the lives he has saved including many famous movie actors, William Yaw being the chief one of interest who escaped the hangman through the efforts of Douglas.” In “It Pays to Advertise,” Douglas played Cyrus Martin the controller of all soaps except Ivory.

Douglas was named second alternate to the Naval Academy by Congressman John C. Ketcham in April, 1922.

On December 13, 1934, in San Francisco, he married Mary Beth Varney. Their twin daughters were named Mary Beth and Margaret. Her parents were interned by the Japanese in the Philippines.

Before Douglas' family moved to Dowagiac in 1918, his father, The Reverend Joseph, was pastor of the Caro Baptist church. His mother was Lena.
</blockquote>

His wife was [http://www.naval-history.net/WW2UScasaaDB-USNbyNameF.htm listed as] next of kin.

== Photographs ==
<gallery mode=packed heights=350px style="text-align:left">
File:1926 Fox 1.jpg|link=https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/20423
File:1926 Fox 2.jpg|From his high school yearbook
File:1926 Fox 3.jpg|From The San Francisco Examiner on December 31, 1942
</gallery>

== Navy Cross ==
From [https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/20423 Hall of Valor]:
<blockquote>
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander Douglas Harold Fox (NSN: 0-60375), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of this profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. BARTON (DD-599), during the engagement with enemy Japanese forces north of the Santa Cruz Islands on 26 October 1942, and during arduous task of locating and rescuing survivors of damaged aircraft near French Reef, New Caledonia, on 30 October 1942. While under intense and prolonged aerial bombardment, Lieutenant Commander Fox, with superior judgment and expert seamanship, maneuvered his ship to effect the rescue of 250 survivors from the Aircraft Carrier HORNET. Four days later, under extreme darkness and adverse weather conations, he brought the Barton into the vicinity of dangerous reefs and despite imminent threat of hostile submarine attacks, picked up stranded crews and passengers from four large patrol planes, without loss of personnel. His brilliant leadership and courageous initiative were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Service: Navy<br/>
Division: U.S.S. Barton (DD-599)<br/>
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 316 (July 1943)
</blockquote>

From [https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/20423 Hall of Valor]:
<blockquote>
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander Douglas Harold Fox (NSN: 0-60375), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. BARTON (DD-599), during an engagement with Japanese naval forces near Savo Island on the night of 12 - 13 November, 1942. On this occasion the force to which Lieutenant Commander Fox was attached engaged at close quarters and defeated a superior enemy force, inflicting heavy damage upon them and preventing the accomplishment of their intended mission. This daring and intrepid attack, brilliantly executed, led to a great victory for his country's forces. By his indomitable fighting spirit, expert seamanship, and gallant devotion to duty, Lieutenant Commander Fox contributed largely to the success of the battle and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Service: Navy<br/>
Division: U.S.S. Barton (DD-599)<br/>
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 312 (March 1943)
</blockquote>

== Namesake ==
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Douglas_H._Fox USS Douglas H. Fox (DD 779)] was named for Douglas.

{{NDexplainer}}
{{ND|date=October 1926|rank=Ensign|command=USS Seattle}}
{{ND|date=January 1927|rank=Ensign|command=USS Seattle}}
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|others={{NDcolumns|columns=3|column1=[[EUGENE S. SARSFIELD, LCDR, USN|ENS Eugene Sarsfield '26]]}}}}
{{ND|date=January 1928|rank=Ensign|command=USS New York
|others={{NDcolumns|columns=3|column1=[[JAMES S. WILLIS, CDR, USN|ENS James Willis '27]]}}}}
{{ND|date=April 1928|rank=Ensign|command=USS New York
|others={{NDcolumns|columns=3|column1=[[JAMES S. WILLIS, CDR, USN|ENS James Willis '27]]}}}}
{{ND|date=July 1928|rank=Ensign|command=USS New York
|others={{NDcolumns|columns=3|column1=[[JAMES S. WILLIS, CDR, USN|ENS James Willis '27]]}}}}
{{ND|date=October 1928|rank=Ensign|command=USS New York
|others={{NDcolumns|columns=3|column1=[[ROBERT H. HOLLENBECK, LTJG, USN|ENS Robert Hollenbeck '26]]
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{{ND|date=January 1929|rank=Ensign|command=USS New York
|others={{NDcolumns|columns=3|column1=[[ROBERT H. HOLLENBECK, LTJG, USN|ENS Robert Hollenbeck '26]]
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{{ND|date=October 1929|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS New York
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{{ND|date=January 1930|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS New York
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|column2=[[LEONARD B. SOUTHERLAND, RADM, USN|ENS Leonard Southerland '27]] (Observation Plane Squadron (VO) 3B)}}}}
{{ND|date=April 1930|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS New York
|others={{NDcolumns|columns=3|column1=[[HUGH D. BLACK, LCDR, USN|LTjg Hugh Black '26]]
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|column2=[[LEONARD B. SOUTHERLAND, RADM, USN|ENS Leonard Southerland '27]] (Observation Plane Squadron (VO) 3B)}}}}
{{ND|date=October 1930|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS Claxton
|others={{NDcolumns|columns=3|column1=[[EDWIN P. MARTIN, LCDR, USN|ENS Edwin Martin '29]]}}}}
{{ND|date=January 1931|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS Claxton
|others={{NDcolumns|columns=3|column1=[[EDWIN P. MARTIN, LCDR, USN|ENS Edwin Martin '29]]}}}}
{{ND|date=April 1931|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=Destroyer Squadron 5|billet=for assignment
|others={{NDcolumns|columns=3|column1=[[DONALD F. STILLMAN, ENS, USN|ENS Donald Stillman '29]]}}}}
{{ND|date=July 1931|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS Pope
|others={{NDcolumns|columns=3|column1=[[WILLIAM G. EATON, CDR, USN|LT William Eaton '21]]}}}}
{{ND|date=October 1931|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS Pope
|others={{NDcolumns|columns=3|column1=[[WILLIAM G. EATON, CDR, USN|LT William Eaton '21]]}}}}
{{ND|date=January 1932|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS Pope}}
{{ND|date=April 1932|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS Pope}}
{{ND|date=October 1932|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS Pope}}
{{ND|date=January 1933|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS Pope}}
{{ND|date=April 1933|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS Pope}}
{{ND|date=July 1933|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS Pope}}
{{ND|date=October 1933|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS Pope}}
{{ND|date=April 1934|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS Eagle 32}}
{{ND|date=July 1934|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS Eagle 32}}
{{ND|date=October 1934|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS Eagle 32}}
{{ND|date=January 1935|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS Eagle 32}}
{{ND|date=April 1935|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS Eagle 32}}
{{ND|date=October 1935|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS Eagle 32}}
{{ND|date=January 1936|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS Eagle 32}}
{{ND|date=April 1936|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS Eagle 32}}
{{ND|date=July 1936|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS Preston|billet=gunnery officer}}
{{ND|date=January 1937|rank=Lieutenant|command=USS Preston|billet=gunnery officer}}
{{ND|date=April 1937|rank=Lieutenant|command=USS Preston|billet=gunnery officer}}
{{ND|date=September 1937|rank=Lieutenant|command=USS Preston|billet=gunnery officer}}
{{ND|date=January 1938|rank=Lieutenant|command=USS Preston|billet=gunnery officer}}
{{ND|date=July 1938|rank=Lieutenant|command=USS Preston|billet=gunnery officer}}
{{ND|date=January 1939|rank=Lieutenant|command=USS Preston|billet=gunnery officer}}
{{ND|date=October 1939|rank=Lieutenant|command=USS Preston|billet=executive officer
|others={{NDcolumns|columns=3|column1=[[RUSSELL R. ROSS, LT, USN|LT Russell Ross '30]]
|column2=[[WILLIAM A. SISSONS, LCDR, USN|ENS William Sissons '38]]}}}}
{{ND|date=June 1940|rank=Lieutenant|command=Navy Recruiting Station Minneapolis, Minnesota|billet=officer in charge}}
{{ND|date=November 1940|rank=Lieutenant Commander|command=Navy Recruiting Station Minneapolis, Minnesota|billet=officer in charge}}
{{ND|date=April 1941|rank=Lieutenant Commander|command=Navy Recruiting Station Minneapolis, Minnesota|billet=officer in charge}}

{{ClassNav|PAGE_ID={{PAGEID}}|Name=Douglas|ClassYear=1926|PreviousPersonLink=AUGUST W. LENTZ, JR., LCDR, USN|PreviousPersonName=August Lentz, Jr. '26|NextPersonLink=WARD E. DICKEY, COL, USMC|NextPersonName=Ward Dickey '26}}

[[Category:1926|Fox]]
[[Category:US Navy|Fox]]
[[Category:KIA|Fox]]
[[Category:WWII|Fox]]
[[Category:Pacific|Fox]]
[[Category:Naval Battle of Guadalcanal|Fox]]
[[Category:Ship|Fox]]
[[Category:USS Barton (DD 599)|Fox]]
[[Category:Navy Cross|Fox]]
[[Category:Ship Namesake|Fox]]
{{KIA|panel=DOUGLAS HAROLD FOX}}