USS Mingo SS 261
The USS Mingo SS 261 was a Gato-class submarine that was launched on November 30th, 1942 from the Electric Boat Company in Groton, Connecticut and was sponsored by a Mrs. Henry L. Pence. The submarine was commissioned on February 12th, 1943 under the command of Lieutenant Commander Ralph C. Lynch, Jr. Following intense shakedown trials and operational training procedures off the coast of Long Island, the Mingo was finally ready for action and departed heading for Newport Rhode Island on April 1st, 1943 to participate in about three weeks of torpedo operations. When she was done assisting training there, she began her trek south sailing past New London, Connecticut on May 16th and moving south in order to transit the Panama Canal and drive directly to her new home port of Pearl Harbor in the Pacific Ocean.
The USS Mingo SS 261 conducted some further training while at Pearl Harbor and then finally set out on her first war patrol on June 25th, 1943 where she immediately found herself encountering enemy ships and only a few days after leaving her port she was able to successfully sink three Japanese merchant ships as well as bombard Sorol Island off the Palaus before returning to Pearl Harbor for refitting and refueling. Her second war patrol began on September 29th and last until November 20th and her duties took her from the Marshall Islands to the Caroline and Marianas as well. She departed Hawaii and the Pacific Island region and headed back to Mare Island Naval Shipyard at San Pablo Bay, California for a complete mechanical overhaul.
She was ready to head back out to the Pacific theatre of war and departed from the west coast of the U. S. on February 3rd, 1944 to do just that. During the period of time from May of 1944 until August of 1945, the Mingo conducted third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh war patrols that involved her joining the U. S. 7th Fleet during their numerous operations in the South China Sea and throughout the entire Pacific Region. The USS Mingo SS 261 was officially decommissioned on January 1st, 1947. The Mingo was awarded five battle stars for her service during World War II.
The USS Mingo SS 261 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. Now we’re aware that veterans are at risk of developing serious respiratory conditions as a result of their time aboard submarines such as the Mingo. 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 Mingo SS 261 or any other submarine should consult with a doctor and begin treatment.
Last modified: December 28, 2010.
