USS Intrepid
The USS Intrepid was an Essex-class aircraft carrier of the United States Navy, serving most prominently in the Second World War. The Intrepid was built by Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company. She was launched in April of 1943, and was the fifth such Essex-class carrier to be commissioned by the navy. The Intrepid herself was commissioned in August of 1943, with Colonel Thomas L. Sprague in command. From there she would be sent to the Caribbean for final shakedown and training in the Islands. Her motto upon setting sail was the Latin phrase "In Mare in Caelo", which translates in English "In the Sea in Heaven".
From Naval Station Norfolk, the Intrepid would sail to Hawaii via San Francisco. She would begin, in Hawaii, one of the most storied tenures of any naval vessel in the United States' fleet. From January through February of 1944, the Intrepid served important operations in the Marshall Islands. After some temporary repairs through the beginning of the summer in 1944, the Intrepid began critical operation in the Palau's and the Philippines. From October to December, the Intrepid underwent some brief repairs due to a kamikaze attack on one of the carrier's gun ports.
In mid-February of 1945, Intrepid sailed full steam ahead to Ulithi in preparation for the attack on Kyushu and Okinawa. American pilots flew critical missions from the deck of Intrepid during this period, bombing Japanese airstrips and positions on the island. These advance bombardments proved to be critically important to the invasion of the island. During this campaign, the Intrepid sustained another kamikaze attack with much more damaging consequences. Eight men were killed and many others were injured aboard the vessel during that attack. However, just three hours after the crash, sorties were again flying from Intrepid's deck. In April of 1945, Intrepid sailed towards San Francisco for repairs before returning to the Pacific for the occupation of Japan.
The Intrepid exemplified the might and determination of the United States Navy, and most importantly, demonstrated the resolve of the brave men who served aboard the vessel. Combat was not the only danger these men faced however. In fact, despite the constant threat of kamikaze attacks, men were being endangered otherwise. The presence of toxic materials pervaded all aspects of the ship, particularly asbestos. Asbestos was used in boilers, insulation of piping, and insulation of other materials. These materials were often repaired aboard vessels such as the Intrepid, leaving those who repaired or were in the vicinity of those materials potentially exposed to these materials. Those who worked in the vicinity of these or other materials believed to contain asbestos should consult the direction of a physician and closely monitor their respiratory health.
Last modified: February 28 2008.
