USS Lapon SS 260

The USS Lapon SS 260 was a Gato-class submarine that was launched on October 27^th, 1942 from the Electric Boat Co. out of Groton, Connecticut and was sponsored by a Mrs. J. B. Oldendorf who was the wife of Rear Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf. The submarine was commissioned on January 23^rd, 1943 under the leadership of Commander O. G. Kirk. After completing her initial shakedown trials along Long Island Sound the Lapon was decidedly ready for active service and departed from New London, Connecticut traveling south along the eastern seaboard where she transited the Panama Canal heading out into the deep Pacific. She left the mainland of the United States on May 4^th, 1943 setting sail and moving towards her new home port at Pearl Harbor where she arrived on June 1^st.

The USS Lapon began her first war patrol on June 24^th, 1943 when she was ordered to head for the waters between the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan near Hokkaido Island and Honshu, Japan where she embarked on search and destroy duty. She maneuvered through the heavily mined region and during her second war patrol on October 18^th she encountered and successfully sank an enemy cargo ship before returning to Pearl Harbor for refitting on November 4^th, 1943. Just a few days later on November 7^th she was ordered to the west coast to undergo a complete overhaul at Mare Island Naval Shipyard.

From January until August of 1944 she traveled through the South China Sea conducting reconnaissance during her third, fourth and fifth war patrols. During the month of March she engaged and successfully sank three large enemy cargo ships with perfectly calculating accuracy. From June 29^th until July 31 she spotted and sank a Japanese destroyer, cruiser and tanker that were traveling with an enemy convoy. She operated mainly out of Fremantle, Australia during this time. From September of 1944 until July of 1945 she provided support during the invasion of the Philippines and Luzon. When the war ended she sailed back to New London, Connecticut. The USS Lapon SS 260 was decommissioned on August 10^th, 1957 and transferred and sold to Greece joining the Greek Navy on the same day under the terms of the Military Assistance Program.

She was awarded a Navy Unit Citation and four battle stars for her service during World War II. The USS Lapon SS 260 and her crew fought bravely for their country. However, they were unwittingly exposed to the hazards of asbestos during their time at sea. She was constructed during an era when the threats involved with asbestos were not well understood, and the material was commonly used as an insulator throughout the vessel. Diseases including a type of deadly asbestos cancer called mesothelioma are a dangerous risk for retired veterans, and any crewmembers who are concerned that they may have been exposed to asbestos while aboard the USS Lapon SS 260 or any other submarine should consult with a doctor and begin treatment.

Last modified: December 09 2009.