Douglas W. Gillette
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| Douglas Wiley Gillette | |
|---|---|
| 10 September 1918 – 26 October 1942 | |
| Place of birth | Wilmington, North Carolina |
| Place of death | vicinity of Santa Cruz Islands |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Naval Reserve |
| Years of service | 1936–42 |
| Rank | Lieutenant (j.g.) |
| Unit | USS Hornet (CV-8) |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Santa Cruz Islands |
Douglas Wiley Gillette was born 10 September 1918 in Wilmington, North Carolina. He enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve on 5 March 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 12 September 1941. Ordered to active duty in the aircraft carrier Hornet (CV-8) on 17 November 1941, he was appointed Lieutenant (j.g.) (temporary). He was killed in enemy action in the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands on 26 October 1942 while serving in Hornet.
In 1943, two destroyer escorts were named USS Gillette in honor of Lt. Gillette. The first, USS Gillette (DE-270), was launched in May and transferred to the United Kingdom; she served in the Royal Navy as HMS Foley (K474). The second, USS Gillette (DE-681), was launched in September, sponsored by Mrs. Pearl M. Gillette, the namesake's mother.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
