USS General W. M. Black (AP-135)

The USS General W. M. Black (AP-135) was a General G. O. Squier-class troop transport in service with the Navy from World War II until 1955. The vessel was built in 1943 by the Kaiser Company, Incorporated of Richmond, California and commissioned into Navy service on February 24, 1944. Following her commissioning ceremony, the General W. M. Black deployed into the Pacific for a brief shakedown cruise before starting regular deployments with the Navy.

World War II Service and Conversion

 In her first months of service, the ship transported troops to American bases in New Guinea and Pearl Harbor. After several months in the Pacific, the transport was reassigned to the Atlantic where she embarked on more than a dozen trans-Atlantic voyages. The ship spent nearly a year plying the waters of the Atlantic, ferrying thousands of troops and personnel between Europe and the United States. When World War II came to an end in the summer of 1945, the vessel was assigned to Operation Magic Carpet and tasked with bringing troops home. She continued in this role until early 1946, when she was decommissioned from the Navy and transferred to the Army for peacetime service.

Once the U.S. Army assumed custody of the General W. M. Black, they rechristened her the USAT General W. M. Black and placed her into port for a conversion. During the conversion, work crews replaced AA gun mounts and performed numerous equipment upgrades. Unfortunately, these adjustments may have disturbed asbestos-containing materials and resulted in asbestos exposure for nearby shipyard workers. In 1950, after four years of service with the Army, the vessel was returned to the U.S. Navy, which redesignated her as the USNS General W. M. Black (T-AP-135).

Korean War Service

Shortly after reacquiring the General W. M. Black, the Navy rebased the ship to San Francisco where she began a series of deployments in support of American operations in the Korean War. The vessel spent three years sailing between the west coast and Korea, delivering over 65,000 troops and participating in six Korean campaigns. In recognition of her service during the Korean War, the U.S. Navy awarded the General W. M. Black and her crew six battle stars. Soon after returning from her last deployment in Korea, the ship was decommissioned and placed into the Pacific Reserve Fleet. She was decommissioned on August 28, 1955 and sold into commercial service in May 1967.

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:

Auxiliary Vessels Index