USS Wisconsin
The USS Wisconsin was an Iowa class destroyer vessel of the United States Navy launched for WWII service in 1943. Her keel was laid at the Philadelphia Navy Yard on January 15th of 1941 and she was launched for fulltime maritime service in early December of 1943. Her first commander was Captain Earl E. Stone. The vessel was commissioned in April of 1944 and began shakedown and training exercises. After her initial trainings she set sail for Norfolk and departed the Norfolk Naval Yard for the British West Indies. She joined the U.S. fleet in Trinidad for further shakedown exercise before returning the Norfolk for some alterations and repairs in July.
In September of 1944, the Wisconsin sailed for the West Coast, via transit through the Panama Canal. She joined the Pacific fleet in Hawaiian waters. She did not see combat until December 9th 1944, when she assisted in the re-conquest of the Philippines, which had largely been accomplished by the time the powerful destroyer arrived. Though her tenure would be brief, she would prove to be an integral part of Pacific operations in WWII. Among her highlights within the Pacific theatre was critical assistance that she provided during the bombardment of Mindoro. Later in the year, Wisconsin provided key bombardment support to the Japanese mainland bombing of Hokkaido.
Wisconsin was decommissioned shortly after the conclusion of WWII in 1948, but would be recommissioned for Korean War service in March of 1951. During the war, Wisconsin provided key support to the fast carrier operations TF 77. While anchored off the Korean peninsula provided bombardments of the Korean ground operations and supported Marine divisions being deployed on Korean soil. Decommissioned after the war, the Wisconsin was revived in 1988 as part of Ronald Reagan's aggressive defense efforts.
Naval personnel aboard the Wisconsin served their country bravely both at sea as well as while docked in shipyard. It is unfortunate however, that many of these men were exposed to hazards that many of them were not even aware of. Indeed, many men who served aboard and serviced naval vessels were exposed to asbestos. Asbestos was used in naval vessels for insulation of a ship's construction materials. If you believe you or someone you know may have been exposed while serving aboard the Wisconsin or other naval vessel, it is important that you speak with a physician immediately. Early recognition of asbestos-related disease can provide a patient with further treatment options for health complications, such as mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure.
