USS Charles F. Hughes DD-428

Benson-class destroyers were built between 1939 and 1943, and were essentially an upgrade of the previous Sims-class vessels, with improvements to help the destroyers if battle damage occurred. The USS Charles F. Hughes (DD-428) was a product of the Puget Sound Naval Yard in Bremerton, Washington, near Tacoma. She launched on 16 May 1940 and was commissioned the following September, with Lieutenant Commander. G. L. Menocal serving as the vessel's commander.

After her shakedown cruise and training in the Caribbean, the USS Charles F. Hughes reported to Newport, Rhode Island, for convoy escort duty for British shipping. Although the U.S. had not yet entered the war, President Franklin Roosevelt's advisors had made clear the direction of the political winds and the USS Charles F. Hughes' convoy duties across the North Atlantic continued until she was ordered to Casablanca, Morocco in November 1942 for the initial invasion of North Africa.

In 1943, she began a series of runs between the Severn River Estuary in west England and the Netherlands Antilles, escorting oil tankers. In November and December 1943, she was again ordered to North Africa as a convoy escort before she returned to the Mediterranean in January 1944, sailing from the NOB at Norfolk for the invasion of Sicily. Allied troops met stubborn resistance at Anzio, and the Charles F. Hughes returned several times to provide offshore bombardment until German positions broke in late May 1944.

After more than a year of active combat duty in the western Mediterranean, the USS Charles F. Hughes returned to the Brooklyn Navy Yard on 12 January 1945 for an overhaul. After one more convoy to the Mediterranean, she sailed for the Pacific, arriving in the Solomons in June. She spent the rest of the war escorting convoys to Okinawa, followed by occupation duty as an escort for convoys between the Philippines and Japan.

She sailed for home on 4 November and stood down at Charleston, South Carolina in March 1946.

The USS Charles F. Hughes was used for target practice and sunk off the coast of Virginia in March 1969.

Asbestos Risks

Vessels utilized by the United States Navy throughout World War I and World War II were commonly constructed using the mineral asbestos in insulation and in fireproofing capacities. The engines and mechanical sections of a ship like the USS Charles F. Hughes generally were the areas where a crewman or dockworker was most at risk of asbestos exposure on a daily basis. However, nearly all areas of the destroyers such as the USS Charles F. Hughes presented at least some risk of asbestos exposure. An increased risk of exposure occurred when a ship was damaged during battle or daily operations. This may cause asbestos fibers to break off and become airborne where they could be inhaled or ingested by anyone aboard.

Exposure to asbestos may cause the development of a serious illness such as mesothelioma (a rare and aggressive cancer, lung cancer and asbestosis. Naval veterans who served aboard the USS Charles F. Hughes or other ships and vessels may have been exposed to asbestos regularly. Veterans may wish to notify their doctor of their potential exposure so routine check-ups and proper examinations may be conducted. Alerting your doctor of past exposure may aid in early detection of an asbestos-related disease which can lead to more treatment options.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or served aboard the USS Charles F. Hughes and wish to learn more about symptoms, treatment and legal options available to Navy veterans, please click here and Asbestos.com will send you a complimentary comprehensive packet in the mail.

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Destroyers Index