Douglas W. Gillette

Who was Douglas W. Gillette?

Douglas Wiley Gillette was born September 10, 1918, in Wilmington, North Carolina. He enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve on March 5, 1936. After serving at Norfolk, Va., in McDougal, and after studying at the United States Naval Academy and Northwestern University, he was commissioned Ensign on September 12, 1941. Ordered to active duty in the aircraft carrier Hornet on November 17, 1941, he was appointed Lieutenant. He was killed in enemy action in the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands on October 26, 1942, while serving in Hornet.

In 1943, two destroyer escorts were named USS Gillette in honor of Lt. Gillette. The first, USS Gillette, was launched in May and transferred to the United Kingdom; she served in the Royal Navy as HMS Foley. The second, USS Gillette, was launched in September, sponsored by Mrs. Pearl M. Gillette, the namesake's mother.