USS Douglas H. Fox (DD-779)

• 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • Korean War: The ship was recommissioned for the Korean War, providing gunfire support, screening aircraft carriers, and patrolling the Korean coast. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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.