USS Aspro SS 309
The USS Aspro SS 309 was a Balao-class submarine that was launched on April 7th, 1943 from the Portsmouth Navy Yard in Kittery, Maine and was sponsored by a Mrs. William S. Freseman. The sub was officially commissioned on July 31st, 1943 under the command of Lieutenant Commander Harry Clinton Stevenson. The Aspro underwent intense training exercises off the east coast near New London, Connecticut and after she successfully completed her trial runs and rigorous tests, she set sail for the Pacific and onwards towards her destination of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on September 17th. She transited the Panama Canal and finally arrived on October 18th and immediately began preparations for her first war patrol that would bring into the waters around Taiwan.
On December 18th, the USS Aspro SS 309 spotted a convoy of about 15 Japanese enemy ships while on patrol and she immediately took aim in preparation for attack. She pummeled the group with her torpedoes, successfully sinking three of the enemy ships before retreating in order to escape the counter attack by a destroyer and with only one torpedo left, she ended her patrol returning to Midway on January 1st, 1944 for refitting and repairs after 39 days at sea.
After being newly refitted, she headed back out to sea on January 15th and underwent brief training exercises near Pearl Harbor before heading back to Midway on February 3rd. On February 15th, the Aspro spotted a large Japanese submarine and initiated pursuit and attack positions, and after a long drawn out chase, the Aspro finally caught up and was within firing range, and she let loose her torpedoes. The crew of the Aspro heard a huge explosion, followed shortly by another just before the Japanese submarine floated to the surface like a dead fish in the water. The USS Aspro SS 309 had won the battle and sunk her opponent.
The USS Aspro SS 309 was decommissioned and struck from the Naval Vessel Register on October 9th, 1962 and later that same year on November 16th, 1962, she was used as a target for the Pomodon SS 486 and sunk off San Diego, California. The USS Aspro SS 309 was awarded seven battle stars for her service during World War II.
The USS Aspro SS 309 and her crewmembers served their country well and she carried many thousands of soldiers across the seas. Unfortunately, the submarine also carried materials that were made with the deadly substance asbestos. Asbestos is a dangerous material that can lead to respiratory diseases, more specifically the dangerous and rare cancer known as mesothelioma. Asbestos is made up of tiny fibers, so it can be easily inhaled where it can cause great harm and can even be fatal. Anyone that spent time on the USS Aspro SS 309 was at risk of exposure to this toxic material. Crewmembers who served aboard the USS Aspro SS 309 should receive evaluations from a medical physician, and take steps towards initiating respiratory illness treatment for mesothelioma.
Last modified: December 28, 2010.
