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USS Epping Forest (LSD-4)

The USS Epping Forest (LSD-4) was an amphibious assault support ship that served in the United States Navy from October 11, 1943 until its eventual decommissioning on November 1, 1968. The Epping Forest was the fourth commissioned vessel of the Ashland-class amphibious assault vessels, known in the Navy as dock landing ships.

Commissioning and World War II Service

These large and versatile auxiliary vessels transported troops and materiel throughout the Pacific during World War II, and their floodable rear compartments allowed them to serve as staging craft for amphibious assaults. The Epping Forest was constructed by the Moore Dry Dock Company of Oakland, California and immediately after its commissioning the vessel sailed into battle in the Pacific Theater. The Epping Forest first saw action in the invasion of the Marshall Islands and then provided floating drydock and repair services to Allied landing craft in the invasions of the Palau Islands and Guam.

While the initial invasions the Epping Forest supported went rather smoothly, the next two battles would be more intense for the crew. During the invasions of both Okinawa and Lingayen Gulf, the ship faced near-constant enemy attacks. These attacks may have caused asbestos-containing materials to release asbestos fibers into the air. The dual threat of enemy attacks and the dangers of airborne asbestos made created an exceedingly stressful combat environment during the invasions of Okinawa and Lingayen Gulf.

World War II ended shortly after the invasion of Okinawa and it appeared that the Epping Forest’s own useful life had come to a close, as the vessel was decommissioned in early 1947. However, the Navy recommissioned the Epping Forest in late 1950 in order to maintain necessary combat readiness and fleet levels. The vessel soon saw additional action in the Korean War.

Korean War Service

The Epping Forest spent the early part of the 1950s patrolling the waters off of the Korean Peninsula, but in 1953 the Navy decided it was time for another overhaul. The drydocking and reinvigoration of the Epping Forest may have resulted in the release of asbestos fibers, exposing nearby shipyard workers to the toxic substance.  After the overhaul, the ship sailed back to the West Pacific in early 1954. The USS Epping Forest continued to serve throughout the Korean War and eventually the Vietnam War.

During the Vietnam War, the vessel earned five battle stars and six campaign stars. The Epping Forest was finally decommissioned in 1968 and on October 30, 1969, the U.S. Navy sold the vessel for scrap. The complete dismantling of the Epping Forest may have provided another occasion where shipyard workers were exposed to asbestos fibers.

Asbestos Risks

When acting in times of peace or war, troops have always accepted that signing up to be in the military brings expected dangers. However, what many U.S. servicemen and servicewomen during the mid-1900s did not know was that inhalation of asbestos could cause life-threatening illnesses, including lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. These conditions all have a latency period of at least 10 years and most people do not realize their development. Mesothelioma, which typically develops in the lining of the lungs, can have a latency period as high as 50 years after the initial exposure to asbestos occurred.

To learn more about mesothelioma and the latest in treatment options, please fill out this form to receive a comprehensive and complimentary packet in the mail. For more information or free assistance regarding VA benefits, programs and eligibility, please call 800-615-2270 or contact our Veterans Assistance Department by filling out this form.

Sources:

  1. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/e4/epping_forest.htm
  2. http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/12/1204.htm

Auxiliary Vessels Index

USNS Asterion T-AF-63
USNS Cheyenne T-AG-174
USNS Cumberland T-AO-153
USNS David C Shanks T-AP-180
USNS Fred C Aunsworth T-AP-181
USNS Geiger T-AP-197
USNS Harris County T-LST-822
USNS Lt. George W. G.
Boyce T-AK-251

USNS Lt. Robert Craig T-AK-252
USNS Marine Adder AP-193
USNS Mission San Antonio T-AO-119
USNS Provo T-AG-173
USNS Rincon T-AOG-77
USNS Sgt. Andrew Miller T-AK-242
USNS Sgt. Curtis F. Shoup T-AG-175
USNS Sgt. Jack J. Pendleton T-AKV-5
USNS Sgt. Morris E. Crain T-AK-244
USNS Shearwater T-AG-177
USS Admiral Hugh Rodman AP-126
USS Admiral W.S. Sims AP-127
USS Alamo LSD-33
USS Alshain AKA-55
USS Alstede AF-48
USS Andromeda AKA-15
USS Ashtabula AO-51
USS Bellatrix AKA-3
USS Bryce Canyon AD 36
USS Bryce Canyon AD 36
USS Cacapon AO-52
USS Caroline County LST-525
USS Carter Hall LSD-3
USS Cassia County LST-527
USS Catalpa AN-10
USS Cayuga County LST-529
USS Charleston LKA-113
USS Chimon AG-150
USS Chittenden County LST-561
USS Cimarron AO-22
USS Clarke County LST-601
USS Cleveland LPD-7
USS Collenton APB-36
USS Colonial LSD-18
USS Consolation AH-15
USS Crook County LST-611
USS DeKalb County LST-715
USS Denebola AF-56
USS Diphda AKA-59
USS Dixie AD-14
USS Dukes County LST-735
USS Dunn County LST-742
USS Duval County LST-758
USS El Paso LKA-117
USS Electron AG-146
USS Epping Forest LSD-4
USS Etlah AN-79
USS Firedrake AE-14
USS Floyd County LST-762
USS Fort Fisher LSD-40
USS Frederick LST-1184
USS Gardiners Bay AVP-39
USS General A.W. Brewster AP-155
USS General C.G. Morton AP-138
USS General D.E.Aultman AP-156
USS General George M. Randall AP-115
USS General H.F. Hodges AP-144
USS General J.C. Breckenridge AP-176
USS General LeRoy Eltinge AP-154
USS General M.C. Meigs AP-116
USS General M.M. Patrick AP-50
USS General R.L. Howze AP-134
USS General S.D. Sturgis AP-137
USS General W.A. Mann AP-112
USS General W.F. Hase AP-146
USS General W.M. Black AP-135
USS General William Mitchell AP-114
USS Genesee AOG-8
USS Grainger AK-184
USS Greer County LST-799
USS Guadalupe AO-32
USS Guam LPH-9
USS Haleakala AE-25
USS Hamilton County LST-802
USS Hampshire County LST-819
USS Haven AH-12
USS Hennepin AK-187
USS Herkimer AK-188
USS Hickman County LST-825
USS Holmes County LST-836
USS Hunterdon County LST-838
USS Inchon LPH-12
USS Iron County LST-840
USS James O'Hara APA-90
USS Jefferson County LST-845
USS Jerome County LST-848
USS Kansas City AOR-3
USS Kaskaskia AO-27
USS Kemper County LST-854
USS Keosanqua ATA-198
USS King County LST-857
USS Kishwaukee AOG-9
USS La Moure County LST-883
USS Laertes AR-20
USS Lawrence County LST-887
USS Lindenwald LSD-6
USS Luzerne County LST-902
USS Magoffin APA-199
USS Mahnomen County LST-912
USS Manatee AO-58
USS Markab AD-21
USS Mathews AKA-96
USS Mauna Kea AE-22
USS Mazama AE-9
USS Merapi AF-98
USS Merrick AKA-97
USS Mispillion AO-105
USS Monmouth County LST-1032
USS Monticello LSD-35
USS Mount Baker AE-4
USS Mount McKinley ACG-7
USS Mulberry AN-27
USS Muliphen AKA-61
USS Navasota AO-106
USS New Orleans LPH-11
USS Niagra Falls AFS-3
USS Ogden LPD-5
USS Okinawa LPH-3
USS Onslow APV-48
USS Orange County LST-1068
USS Outagamie County LST-1073
USS Paricutin AE-18
USS Park County LST-1077
USS Pasig AW-3
USS Patapsco AOG-1
USS Pender County LST-1080
USS Pictor AF-54
USS Platte AO-24
USS Plumas County LST-1083
USS Polaris AF-11
USS Portland LSD-37
USS Princeton CV-37
USS Procyon AF-61
USS Rainer AE-5
USS Regulus AF-57
USS Romulus-ARL-22
USS Sanborn APA-193
USS Sanctuary AH-17
USS Sarnac AO-74
USS Satyr ARL-23
USS Sedgwick County LST-1123
USS Sharps AG-139
USS Skagit AKA-105
USS Sphinx ARL 24
USS St. Clair County LST 1096
USS St. Joseph's River LSM 527
USS Steuben County LST 1138
USS Suisun AVP 53
USS Summit County LST 1146
USS Susquehanna AOG-5
USS Tallulah AO 50
USS Tensaw YT 418
USS Terrell County LST 1157
USS Thomaston LSD 28
USS Tioga County LST 1158
USS Tom Green County LST 1159
USS Tombigbee AOG 11
USS Tripoli LPH 10
USS Union AKA 106
USS Vancouver LPD 2
USS Vesuvius AE 15
USS Virgo AKA 20
USS Waccamaw AO 109
USS Wallacut YTB 420
USS Warrick AKA-89
USS Washoe County LST 1165
USS Westchester County LST 1165
USS Whetstone LSD 27
USS Whidbey AG 141
USS Whiteside AKA 90
USS Windham County LST 1170
USS Wrangell AE 12
USS Yancey AKA 93
USS Yazoo AN 92
USS Zelima AF 49
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