USS Bergall SS 320
The USS Bergall SS 320 was a Balao-class submarine that was originally launched on February 16th, 1944 from the Electric Boat Company in Groton, Connecticut and was sponsored by a Mrs. J. A. Elkins. The sub was officially commissioned on June 12th, 1944 under the command of Lieutenant Commander J. M. Hyde. The Bergall underwent intense training and operational exercises along the eastern seaboard of the United States and when the time was right, she set out to join the Pacific Fleet moving south and transiting the Panama Canal and then heading west to her destination of Pearl Harbor where she finally arrived on August 13th, 1944.
On September 8th she sailed out of Fremantle, Australia to begin the first of her five war patrols total during her career terminating her last of such on June 17th, 1945 where in between said period of time she patrolled the waters of the South China Sea, the Java Sea, the Lombok Strait and the region just north of the Malay Barrier. After the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor the Bergall set out to engage the Japanese heavy cruiser Myoko on December 13th, 1944 and the fire fight was long and vicious and both vessels came out of it badly damaged.
While patrolling off the Malay coast on June 13th, 1945 she was heavily damages from a naval mine explosion and was forced to dock at Subic Bay, Luzon for emergency repairs and arrived at port on June 17th. The crew and their service men decided she needs extensive repairs back at the mainland so she departed the Pacific and headed to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard arriving on August 4th, 1945. After repairs were complete she embarked on many more missions with the Pacific Fleet in the Far East until she was ultimately transferred to New London, Connecticut on July 11th, 1950 where she began operations with the Atlantic Fleet starting with a voyage to the Mediterranean Sea.
The USS Bergall SS 320 was officially decommissioned on October 17th, 1958 and the next day she was transferred to the Turkish Navy on loan until she was officially struck from the United States Naval Vessel Registry on February 1st, 1973 and then sold to the government of Turkey on February 15th, 1973. The USS Bergall SS 320 was awarded four battle stars for her service in World War II.
The brave crew who served on the USS Bergall SS 320 had endured many dangerous moments. Unfortunately, they were also exposed to a danger they were unaware of while going about their duties. The USS Bergall SS 320 and other submarines were built with asbestos as insulation in and around pipes and most of the crewmen were exposed to a dangerous chemical which put them at risk for acquiring many respiratory problems. Any crewmembers who served aboard the USS Bergall SS 320 should be evaluated by a medical specialist to see if they have symptoms of any respiratory health problems, including mesothelioma, also known as asbestos cancer. Veterans diagnosed with this type of cancer should speak with their doctor immediately regarding mesothelioma treatment options.
Last modified: December 28, 2010.
