Commander, United States Navy MIA/KIA , date of loss November 13, 1942
Officially declared dead, dd November 14, 1943
Graduate U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1926.
Hometown Dowagiac Michigan
Wife, Mrs. Marybeth Fox
Service #: 0-060375
Official Date of death: November 14, 1943
Awards: Navy Cross with Gold Star, Purple Heart
Captain:

Ship: USS Barton (DD 722)
Mission: First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal
Loss Date: 13-Nov-42
Location: near Savo Island
Fate: Sunk by two 'Long Lance' torpedoes fired by the Amatsukaze
Complement: 164 men KIA: 13 officers and 151 crew.
68 survivors were rescued

Awarded for actions during the World War II
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander Douglas Harold Fox 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.

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, 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.

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LCDR US NAVY

Douglas Harold Fox (26 March 1905 - 13 November 1942) was a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy. He died during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal in World War II.
Born in Walled Lake, Michigan, Douglas Fox graduated from the United States Naval Academy on 3 June 1926. After service in various ships and shore stations, he was given command of the newly commissioned destroyer Barton (DD-599) on 29 May 1942.
Lieutenant Commander Fox went down with his ship when she was torpedoed and sunk in the naval Battle of Guadalcanal on 13 November 1942. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross. Fox also later received an Award star in lieu of a second Navy Cross for earlier actions on 26 and 30 October and 3 November in which he had rescued downed aviators and survivors of Hornet (CV-8) under hazardous conditions.

LCDR Fox was the skipper of of the USS Barton (DD-599) when they were engaged in battle. The ship was never recovered. The USS Douglas Harold Fox (DD-779)was later commissioned in his honor.