USS Frank E. Evans DD-754

The USS Frank E. Evans (DD-754) was one of the Sumner-class destroyers that were essentially an upgrade of the highly successful Fletcher-class. Built by the Bethlehem Steel Corporation at their Staten Island shipyard, she was commissioned on 3 February 1945 under the command of Cmdr. H. Smith.

World War II

By the time Evans arrived in the South Pacific, the war against the Empire of Japan was winding down. She saw some action off the coast of Okinawa as a radar picket, protecting the main fleet from surprise attacks, then spent several months supporting the post-war occupation before returning to San Francisco, where she was decommissioned and mothballed in December 1949.

Korea

Evans' brief retirement came to an abrupt end in September 1950. She sailed for Korea in January 1951, participating in the two-year long Siege of Wonsang, engaging enemy shore batteries on 11 occasions. Evans was struck by shrapnel in June 1951, causing minor injuries to four crewmen but no real damage to the vessel.

She returned to San Diego in September 1951, leaving for her second Korean tour in March 1952. Following this tour, she was stationed at Long Beach and served one more tour of duty in Asia between 13 June and 20 December 1953.

Cold War and Television

Over the next six years, Evans did five tours in Asia while keeping a busy schedule of training exercises in the waters off North America, including maneuvers with the Canadian Navy.

In 1962, Evans became a celebrity briefly when she was cast in the short-lived television sitcom, Ensign O'Toole, which starred Disney actor Dean (The Love Bug) Jones in the title role.

Vietnam and Fate

In June 1969, Evans was engaged in joint exercises with vessels of the Royal Australian Navy off the coast of South Vietnam. Due to an error on the part of an unqualified junior officer who was standing watch while the captain slept, the Evans collided with the carrier RNAS Melbourne. The larger vessel took off Evan's bow, sending it to the bottom with 74 crewmen. The stern was towed to Subic Bay in October and sunk as a practice target.

Asbestos Risks

On board each Navy vessel of the World War II era, the fibrous mineral asbestos was routinely utilized for pipe insulation and for fire control. Although practically all areas of a ship such as the Evans presented a real danger of asbestos exposure, a ship's engine room and mechanical spaces were usually the areas where sailors or technicians were apt to be exposed to asbestos in the air. When the vessel took damage, whether in combat, from severe weather, or by accident, it almost inevitably exposed asbestos-contaminated materials to the air or subjected them to fire or flooding. This resulted in even more risk of major asbestos exposure.

The highest level of hazard to human health with asbestos is experienced when strands become damaged and fragile, because if the asbestos microfibers go into the air, the material may then be inhaled by those in the area. History has demonstrated that major health issues such as asbestosis, cancer of the lungs and pleural mesothelioma are caused by occupational asbestos inhalation.

Since asbestos-induced problems are hard to diagnose, naval veterans exposed to this mineral should immediately inform their medical professionals of the details about this history. To learn more about the diagnostic process, available treatment options and financial assistance to help pay for medical costs, please fill out this form to receive a comprehensive packet in the mail.

One of the unfortunate realities of World War II was that in addition to inherent dangers associated with enemy encounters, men who fought on board the Evans were, like people on the other vessels of this type, constantly imperiled by asbestos fiber exposure. The Evans suffered heavy combat damage; however, besides this serious combat damage, sailors who lived and worked aboard the Evans were also exposed to asbestos fibers in the ordinary course of their duty. This was especially true for port-based workers such as machinists and carpenters who serviced the craft when the Evans spent time dry-docked. Considering the USS Evans' history, it is important that the troops who at any point in their career lived or worked aboard this ship, as well as those who served on her sister ships, find out about the dangers posed by former exposure to asbestos fibers, especially in light of our increased understanding of the result of prolonged contact with asbestos.

Sources:

Destroyers Index