USS James C. Owens DD-776

The USS James C. Owens (DD-776), a Sumner-class destroyer, was laid down 9 April 1944 by the Bethlehem Steel Company at its San Pedro, California shipyard. She was launched less than six months later and commissioned in February 1945 under command of Cmdr. R. H. Blair.

World War II and Aftermath

James C. Owens sailed out of San Pedro on 10 May 1945, escorting the battleship USS California to Pearl Harbor, arriving a week later. Her next mission was to escort a convoy to Okinawa. After a few months of anti-shipping sweeps, James C. Owens operated out of Okinawa and supported the Wakayama Occupation Group until sailing home in December. She arrived in New York on 15 January 1946.

For the next 16 months, James C. Owens operated along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. In 1947 and 1948, she was ordered to the Mediterranean twice during the tumultuous years during which the nation of modern Israel was coming into being. Returning home early in October of 1949, she again operated along the Atlantic coast until being decommissioned at Charleston, South Carolina on 3 April 1950.

Korean War

With the outbreak of war in Korea, James C. Owens was recommissioned in September 1950. Departing for the Far East on 22 January 1952, she arrived in the Western Pacific a month later for blockade and interdiction patrols along the Korean coast. While operating off Songjin in May, she engaged enemy shore batteries, sustaining six direct hits.

Departing Korea 22 June, she sailed home by way of the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean, arriving at Norfolk on 19 August. She returned to Korea in November 1953 to enforce the cease-fire, remaining on this peacekeeping duty until 1 May 1954.

The Cold War

For the next six years, James C. Owens operated out of Norfolk and Guantanamo Bay, sailing for several tours of duty to the Mediterranean and Middle East. In September 1960, she joined NATO forces in the North Atlantic for Operation "Swordthrust," followed by patrols in the Caribbean and another tour of duty in the Mediterranean with the 6th Fleet.

In January 1962, James C. Owens reported to Charleston for an eight-month FRAM II overhaul to upgrade her equipment and accommodations. The work completed, she departed in February 1965 for a Mediterranean cruise, carrying out advanced anti-submarine operations during her deployment. After her return to Charleston 12 July, she was designated as a recovery ship for the Gemini V orbital space mission. This was followed by an extended overhaul at the Charleston Naval Shipyard beginning in November.

In March 1966, James C. Owens was at Guantanamo Bay. During her assignment there, her crew rendered assistance to a burning cruise ship, the SS Viking Princess. After returning to Charleston for a brief visit, James C. Owens continued with officer training and routine deployments until the end of 1987. The Owens was transferred to the Brazilian Navy in 1974 where she served as the Sergipe until October 1995.

Asbestos Risks

On board every American navy vessel until the 1960s, asbestos was widely utilized for insulation and as fire control. Though practically all compartments of the USS James C. Owens offered a significant level of asbestos contamination, each ship's boiler room and mechanical spaces were generally the areas where a seaman or a civilian worker was apt to be endangered by airborne asbestos.

When dealing with asbestos, the greatest risk to human health occurs where strands deteriorate and become exposed, allowing the fibers to become airborne and inhaled. A history of asbestos proximity is conclusively linked to mesothelioma and other serious medical conditions. Since most asbestos-induced diseases can be difficult to detect, navy personnel with a history of contact with asbestos should immediately notify their health care provider about this history.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an illness related to asbestos, you may have legal options for compensation. Many have received financial assistance to help pay for treatment options and any lost income as a result of their illness. For more information, please fill out the request form on this page to receive a free informational packet.

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Destroyers Index