Navy Destroyer Ships
Destroyers played a crucial role in World War II, serving as quick and easily maneuvered warships which escorted bigger ships as part of a convoy. Destroyers also protected these larger vessels from torpedo and submarine attacks. By the beginning of WWII, submarine and airplane attack methods had advanced, and large ships faced the risk of serious damage because they could not move quickly enough to dodge torpedoes, missiles or airstrikes, so destroyers were necessary to provide support and thwart off enemy attack.
Several destroyers operated during WWII, such as the USS Higbee, the first Navy vessel to be named after a woman, and the USS Piedmont, which served as a sort of “traveling repair ship” and provided quick and thorough repairs following the attack on Pearl Harbor. These ships were outfitted with anti-aircraft guns, radar systems, and an anti-submarine weapon known as the “hedgehog,” which was capable of firing mortar bombs which exploded on contact and were effective during a sub attack. Despite being outfitted for any kind of naval emergency, destroyers were also the most-sunk ship during this time.
Navy Assault ships
Assault Ships, (often referred to as amphibious assault ships) were built to support ground forces during an amphibious attack. The USS Tarawa is one of the most well-known assault ships to serve during WWII, and was the first Tarawa-class ship to be built and could carry as many as 80 aircraft and over 2,000 crewmembers. Assault ships were prevalent in the Pacific theatre, serving as escort vessels and sometimes aircraft transport. Later, these ships would serve as helicopter transport.
The former crew of all World War II-era destroyers and assault ships no doubt experienced a number of dangers. One of the risks they faced, perhaps unknowingly, was that of exposure to asbestos, which has been known to eventually cause mesothelioma cancer. Veterans who were once aboard the following ships should speak with a physician regarding their respiratory health and undergo testing to determine whether or not they have developed an asbestos-related illness.
Destroyer Listing
- USS Abbot
- USS Bache
- USS Beale
- USS Blandy
- USS Blue
- USS Calvert
- USS Capps
- USS Champlin DD-601
- USS Erben
- USS Eversole
- USS Farragut
- USS Frost
- USS Herbert Thomas
- USS Higbee
- USS Jack Wilke
- USS James C. Owens
- USS John Craig
- USS Knapp
- USS Lee Fox
- USS Newman K. Perry
- USS Orleck
- USS Perry
- USS Piedmont
- USS Prairie
- USS Rowe
- USS Shubrick
- USS Wisconsin
Assault Ship Listing
Last modified: December 28, 2010.
