USS Higbee
The USS Higbee was a Gearing-class destroyer launched from the Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine in November 1944. She was the first Navy vessel to be named after a woman: Chief Nurse Lenah H. Sutcliffe Higbee. Nurse Higbee acted as Superintendent of the US Navy Nurse Corps throughout WW I.
The USS Higbee joined Carrier Task Force 38 outside Tokyo Bay in July 1945. She was called “Leaping Lenah” by her crew and screened US carriers while their planes launched air attacks against the mainland of Japan until peace was declared in August. She aided the occupation forces in Japan after the war ended and helped to clear Japanese mine fields. During her short time of service in the 2nd World War, the Higbee was awarded one battle star.
In 1950, with the beginning of the Korean Conflict, the Higbee was deployed to the Korean coastline with the 7th fleet. While there she screened for the carrier groups and also took part in shore bombardment during the amphibious assault at Inchon. She earned seven battle stars for her service in the Korean War.
After more tours of duty in Korea, the Higbee was sent to the Formosa Straits to prevent an invasion of Nationalist China (Taiwan) by mainland communist forces. The Higbee patrolled the Western Pacific when the Korean conflict ended and was refitted and refurbished several times during the early 1960’s. By 1964 the Higbee was ready for service again in Vietnam. She provided naval gunfire support off the coast of South Vietnam and screened for carriers in the South China Sea. In 1966, the Higbee had R & R off Acapulco, Mexico and Bob Hope came aboard her to perform a show for the servicemen in the area.
In April 1972, the Higbee became the first US Navy vessel to be bombed during the Vietnam War. Three MIG-17’s attacked, with one hitting the Higbee with a 250-pound bomb. The Higbee’s rear 5-inch gun mount was struck and destroyed. Fortunately, the gun crew was outside the turret when the bomb landed, and the attack only resulted in four US sailors being wounded. In 1979 the Higbee was struck from the Navy register and sunk as a target in 1986.
The crew members of the Higbee performed well during three dangerous international conflicts, but were unaware of a danger that was threatening them aboard their own vessel. USS Higbee was constructed, like others of her era, with asbestos, which was used for insulation in many parts of the ship. It was particularly common around pipes and electrical fixtures, and men who worked in maintenance areas were at particular risk of exposure. We now know that exposure to asbestos can cause several severe respiratory problems including a form of cancer. Sailors who have reason to believe they may have been affected should see a specialist for evaluation.
