About this Unit
USS Douglas H. Fox (DD-779) was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in December 1944. She served in the Pacific Theater during the final months of World War II, notably participating in the Okinawa campaign and surviving a kamikaze attack in May 1945. After the war, Douglas H. Fox saw extensive service during the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support and screening carrier task forces. The ship continued her career through the early Cold War, before being transferred to the Chilean Navy in 1973, where she served as Ministro Portales.
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS Douglas H. Fox (DD-779) was named after Lieutenant Commander Douglas Harold Fox, who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for gallantry during the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands in World War II.
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Allen M. Sumner-class: She was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, a class known for its improved anti-aircraft armament and greater stability compared to earlier destroyers.
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World War II Service: Commissioned in December 1944, the Douglas H. Fox joined the Pacific fleet and participated in the final months of World War II, providing support during the Okinawa campaign.
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Kamikaze Attack: On May 5, 1945, while on radar picket duty off Okinawa, Douglas H. Fox was struck by a kamikaze, causing extensive damage, killing 7 crewmen, and wounding 35 others, but she remained afloat and was towed for repairs.
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Postwar Deployments: After World War II, she served in both the Atlantic and Mediterranean, participating in multiple NATO exercises and "show the flag" missions during the Cold War.
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Korean War: The ship was recommissioned for the Korean War, providing gunfire support, screening aircraft carriers, and patrolling the Korean coast.
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Cuban Missile Crisis: During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, Douglas H. Fox was part of the US naval blockade enforcing the quarantine of Cuba.
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FRAM Overhaul: She underwent a Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) overhaul in the early 1960s, receiving updated sonar, anti-submarine weapons, and helicopter facilities to extend her service life.
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Decommissioning and Transfer: Douglas H. Fox was decommissioned in 1973 and transferred to the Chilean Navy, where she served as Ministro Portales (DD-17) until 1991.
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Legacy: The ship earned 4 battle stars for World War II, 2 for the Korean War, and 1 for the Vietnam War, highlighting her long and distinguished career in three major conflicts.
