USS Hudson DD-475

USS Hudson (DD-475), a Fletcher-class destroyer, was launched on 3 June 1942 at the Boston Navy Yard and commissioned on 13 April 1943, Cmdr. Richard R. Pratt assigned as ship's captain.

Early Service Record

Following a period of escort duty along the Atlantic coast, Hudson was ordered to Efate, New Hebrides, where she was just in time to provide cover fire for the initial landings on Bougainville in November 1943. Her next assignment was to conduct anti-shipping sweeps in the Truk area and support operations against the Green Islands in February 1944. En route to this assignment, Hudson engaged a Japanese submarine. Her crew successfully neutralized the target.

After a brief stop in Australia, Hudson proceeded to Kwajalein for the invasion of the Marianas. After providing shore bombardment to clear the way for troop landings, she sailed for the Philippine Sea and participated in the massive naval battle of 19 June. During the "Marianas Turkey Shoot," during which several hundred Japanese aircraft were destroyed, Hudson's crew accounted for at least two.

When the invasion of Guam was launched, Hudson operating off the coast to screen transports, rescuing three Navy pilots as well as a Japanese flier. From the Marianas, Hudson proceeded to Palau to support landings on Peleliu and Anguar (Monkey Island) in mid-September. By early October, she was due for major maintenance and repair and was ordered back to San Francisco.

On to Japan

Hudson returned to battle in mid-February 1945 for the invasion of Iwo Jima. Over the next few months, her primary duty was to operate as a radar picket, making her the first target of choice for the fanatics who flew the suicide kamikaze planes. Although under almost constant attack, Hudson came through the war with only one injured crewman.

In early May, a kamikaze pilot crashed into the escort carrier USS Sangamon. Hudson was able to go alongside three times, getting a total of 16 hoses over the side. The overhanging flight deck of the carrier caused serious damage to Hudson's superstructure as burning debris landed on top of the smaller vessel. By the time all the fires were under control, Hudson had suffered as much damage as the carrier. However, Sangamon had been saved with minimal loss of life through the efforts of Hudson's crew.

Her Last Days

After undergoing repairs, Hudson was assigned to convoy duty in the Marshalls, followed by a run to the Aleutians off the Alaskan coast. She arrived at Ominato in Northern Japan for occupation duty on 8 September, carrying servicemen home during Operation Magic Carpet. She then put in at the Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton, Washington, for decommission overhaul.

Hudson decommissioned and went into reserve at San Diego on 31 May. In January 1947, Hudson was moved to Mare Island Naval Shipyard near San Francisco and was berthed there until she was scrapped in 1973.

Asbestos Risks

On board each American naval craft through both world wars, the fibrous mineral asbestos was routinely utilized for insulation and for fireproofing. The vessel's engine room and engineering compartments were generally the areas where a Navy employee or a civilian worker was likely to inhale air contaminated by asbestos; nevertheless, nearly all areas of the USS Hudson posed at least some asbestos risk. If the craft took damage in combat, by catastrophic storms, or by accident, it almost inevitably exposed asbestos-containing components to the air or subjected them to flames or water; this brought about even greater risk of being subjected to extensive asbestos contact.

The worst danger of harmful exposure when dealing with asbestos is experienced when items containing the mineral are easily broken (or "friable"); when very small asbestos microfibers can enter the surrounding air, the particles may then be breathed in by those close to the asbestos. Repeated asbestos intake is known to be conclusively linked with pericardial mesothelioma, asbestosis, tumors, and many other life-threatening health disorders.

Because asbestos-related problems are difficult to detect, those exposed to asbestos fibers should make a point to inform their primary care physicians 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.

As is the case with servicemen on other WW II destroyers, those who lived and worked on board the Hudson were, on top of the expected hazards associated with enemy encounters, in danger of asbestos fiber exposure. This was especially true since the Hudson underwent heavy combat damage and extensive refits and repair jobs. In addition to the large-scale damage and retrofit work, the men who worked on the ship were often exposed to asbestos in the daily conduct of their loyal service, as were repair personnel such as pipefitters and carpenters who maintained the ship whenever she was in port for repairs.

Considering the USS Hudson's history, and based on our increased understanding of the result of asbestos exposure, it is vital that the men who at any time in their career served and toiled aboard this naval vessel, and those assigned to her sisters in the fleet, become knowledgeable about the hazards raised by former exposure to asbestos.

Sources:

Destroyers Index