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| USN Benson-class destroyer 1,620 Tons size 4 x 5" 38 guns 4 x 1.1" AA guns 7 x 20mm cannons 5 x 21" torpedo tubes   USN May 29, 1942 |
Ship History Built by Bethlehem Steel Corporation at Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, MA. Laid down May 20, 1941 as a Benson-class destroyer. Launched January 31, 1942 as USS Barton (DD-599) named for Rear Admiral John K. Barton sponsored by sponsored by his granddaughter Miss Barbara D. Barton. Commissioned May 29, 1942 in the United States Navy (USN) under the command of Lieutenant Commander Douglas H. Fox in Boston. Afterwards, departed on a brief shakedown cruise. Wartime History On August 23, 1942 departs the east coast via the Panama Canal bound for the South Pacific. On September 14, 1942 arrives Tongatapu then onward to the Solomon Islands. On October 5, 1942 escorts warships on the Buin-Faisi-Tonolai raid. On October 26, 1942 participates in the Battle of Santa Cruz and claims seven enemy planes shot down. On October 29, 1942 rescues 17 survivors of a plane near Fabre Island. During the middle of November 1942 escorts a convoy bound for Guadalcanal arriving November 12, 1942. By sunset, ordered to join a force of U.S. Navy warships including five cruisers and seven destroyers under the command of Rear Admiral Daniel J. Callaghan to defend against Japanese warships. Sinking History On November 13, 1942 at 1:25am at the start of the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal (Third Battle of the Solomon Sea). At the start of the engagement, Barton was the eleventh ship (second to last) at the rear of the formation off Guadalcanal. The weather was poor with a dark moon making visibility minimal. Due to the confusion of battle, neither side opened fire and passed each other with Barton aiming her guns and torpedoes at nearby enemy warships and awaited the order to fire. At 1:48am Japanese searchlights illuminate USS Atlanta (CL-51) and both sides opened fire. During the battle, Barton and Monssen broke to the northwest into the main group of Japanese warships and fire at point blank range and made violent maneuvers to avoid collisions with friendly and enemy ships. Barton released a spread of torpedoes aimed at Hiei then suddenly a searchlight aboard USS Helena (CL-50) illuminated her bow and Barton made an emergency stop to avoid a collision. While attempting to get underway again, hit by two Japanese torpedoes from Amatsukaze that exploded in her boiler and engine room and caused a massive explosion that broke the destroyer into two sections and sank within minutes. During the explosion and sinking 164 of her crew were lost including 13 officers and 151 sailors Fates of the Crew After the sinking, 42 survivors were rescued by USS Portland and 26 survivors were rescued by Higgins boats from Guadalcanal. Shipwreck During 1992, the forward half of the shipwreck was discovered by Dr. Robert Ballard in Iron Bottom Sound. Only the forward hull section and superstructure forward of the boiler room was found. The stern section is yet to be found. Awards For her World War II service earned four battle stars. Memorials The missing crew members were officially declared dead on November 14, 1943. All are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Lt. Commander Douglas H. Fox remains listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Posthumously, he was promoted to the rank of Commander and earned the Navy Cross with Gold Star and Purple Heart, posthumously. On December 30, 1943 a second USS Barton (DD-722) was the first Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer was commissioned. On September 30, 1944 Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer USS Douglas H. Fox (DD 779) was named in honor of Lieutenant Commander Douglas H. Fox. References Destroyer History Foundation - USS Barton (DD-599) NavSource - USS Barton (DD-599) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Douglas H. Fox FindAGrave - Cdr Douglas Harold Fox (photos) Contribute
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