USS Herbert Thomas
The USS Herbert Thomas was named for a sergeant in the Marine Corps, Herbert James Thomas, who was known for his heroic actions during World War II and was a Medal of Honor recipient. The ship was a Gearing Class Destroyer commissioned in 1945. It was first called into service in the Western Pacific providing support for the occupation of Japan at the end of the war.
When hostilities began in Korea in 1950, the Thomas sailed to Pearl Harbor and joined the Pacific Fleet. In August of that year, she joined a force blockading Korea’s east coast and provided gunfire support for forces landing at Pohang, where she inflicted heavy damage on the enemy. She also provided diversionary fire for a British commando raid, which went ashore from the submarine USS Perch, and was able to eliminate an important railroad tunnel.
For the next three years, the Thomas served in many parts of the Pacific providing support for the blockade of communist China and defending the carriers, which were launching bombing raids into North Korea.
With hostilities ended, in 1958 the Herbert Thomas deployed again to the Far East with the 7th fleet, this time as an ambassador for good will for the US. She worked with Japanese vessels and helped them to train in antisubmarine strategies. She also traveled to Sitka, Alaska to fire a twenty-one-gun salute and represent the Navy at the statehood ceremony for the 49th state.
After some refurbishing, she sailed to the waters off Vietnam in 1966. While there she supported both naval and ground forces. She was part of the counteroffensive after Tet in 1968 and targeted enemy installations on shore.
In 1970, the Thomas served as a training ship and classroom for ROTC midshipmen. She was decommissioned in 1974 and was transferred to the nation of Taiwan through the Security Assistance Program, where she served until 1999 and was then sunk to act as an artificial reef.
Many distinguished sailors served aboard the USS Herbert Thomas during her varied missions. Unfortunately, many of them may have been exposed to a danger they were unaware of. The Thomas, like all ships of her time, was constructed using asbestos as insulation around pipes and electrical systems on board. This fact, may have contributed to health problems of many of her crewmen. They may have developed respiratory conditions including a rare type of cancer, mesothelioma. If you or someone you know may have been exposed to asbestos and related materials you may request a free information packet. If you have any concerns about your respiratory health you should see a thoracic specialist or doctor familiar with mesothelioma.
