The USS Theodore E. Chandler (DD-717) was designed to be fast and maneuverable. It served as an escort and protector for larger ships. This massive vessel was built to carry numerous weapons of destruction, including torpedoes and anti-aircraft guns. However, the ship’s designers could have never imagined that asbestos exposure on the USS Theodore E. Chandler would be as deadly to U.S. military lives as the foreign enemies they once fought.
No Defense against Asbestos Exposure on the USS Theodore E. Chandler
The USS Theodore E. Chandler was built to defend the fleet against the enemy’s smaller torpedo boats and other short-range attack vessels. Unaware of the danger, those serving and working on the destroyer had no idea that they also needed to defend themselves against exposure to asbestos on the very ship they called home for months at a time.
The USS Theodore E. Chandler’s Journey Begins
The USS Theodore E. Chandler was named for Admiral Theodore Edson Chandler. He served as commander of both cruiser and battleship divisions in the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets during World War II. Admiral Chandler was killed during an attack in January 1945 when a Japanese kamikaze airplane struck his ship.
The USS Theodore E. Chandler was laid down by the Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newark, NJ in April 1945. She was launched in October 1945 and commissioned a few months later in March 1946. Commander Francis O. Fletcher, Jr. was put in command and the ship headed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for her first tour of duty.
Fighting the Enemy in Korea
On June 25, 1950, the North Korean People’s Army invaded South Korea starting the Korean War. The USS Theodore E. Chandler was among the first ships to be dispatched to the Asian conflict. After joining the rest of the Destroyer Division (DesDiv) 111, the unit arrived at the Korean coast on August 7, 1950.
Throughout the next three years, the USS Theodore E. Chandler provided support and protection to the ROK forces during three tours of duty. The final deployment for the Chandler during the Korean War lasted from January until the conflict was over in August 1953. The destroyer stayed on the coast of Korea for a total of three weeks after the war ended and then returned home to the U.S.
The End of Duty for the USS Theodore E. Chandler
The USS Theodore E. Chandler was called to wartime duty again in June 1964. The destroyer was deployed to Vietnam, where she served several tours of duty during the war.
The Chandler received an overhaul at Long Beach, California in 1969 and then alternated between operations with other ships on the west coast and deployments to Thailand and Vietnam. Before being sold for scrap in 1975, the Theodore E. Chandler’s last duty station was in Seattle, Washington at the naval reserve training site.
The Victims of Asbestos Exposure on the USS Theodore E. Chandler
During its years of service, the USS Theodore E. Chandler protected thousands of lives. Her service to the United States was invaluable. Unfortunately, the ship’s unknown enemy also leaves behind a legacy of pain and suffering. The list of potential victims from asbestos exposure on the USS Theodore E. Chandler includes:
- Military personnel
- Ship builders
- Shipyard personnel
- Dock workers
- Contractors
- Family members
Prior to 1970, asbestos was found to be used in most areas of U.S. ships, such as boiler rooms, private quarters, engine rooms, and mess halls. It was used in the pipes, floors, valves, and even fire-proof gloves. It wasn’t uncommon for sailors to be exposed daily to asbestos fibers floating in the air due to poor ventilation.
Navigating the Aftermath of Asbestos Exposure on the USS Theodore E. Chandler
Individuals who served on or worked in direct contact with the USS Theodore E. Chandler may be at risk of developing life-threatening asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos exposure on the USS Theodore E. Chandler along with other U.S. Naval destroyers has been found to be the cause of mesothelioma, lung cancer, stomach cancer, throat cancer, asbestosis, or colon cancer in its many victims.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos-related illnesses due to asbestos exposure on the USS Theodore E. Chandler, you need to protect your legal rights. Contact the mesothelioma attorneys at Nemeroff Law Firm. With decades of experience, they have helped victims nationwide get the compensation they need and deserve. Don’t wait, contact them online or call 866-342-1929 for a free consultation today.