USS John R. Craig (DD-885)

The USS John R. Craig (DD-885) was one of numerous Gearing-class destroyers produced by the steelworkers of the Consolidated Steel Corporation at Orange, Texas. Her keel was laid on 17 November 1944 and her hull launched on 14 April 1945. The completed destroyer was commissioned on 20 August 1945.

The Early Years

Following her shakedown trials in the Caribbean, the Craig reported to her new home port of San Diego in January 1946, then proceeded to the Far East for the first of several post-war deployments to that region. In February 1951, the Craig was ordered to Korea, carrying out a wide range of duties from carrier operations to offshore gunfire support. She served a total of three combat tours during the conflict.

Between 1954 and 1962, John R. Craig continued her annual deployments to Asian waters, which included the evacuation of the Tachen Islands in 1955, joint maneuvers with the Japanese Self Defense Force in 1957 and a visit to the port of Auckland, New Zealand in 1958. During her periods at home, her duties consisted primarily of training and readiness exercises along with periodic midshipman's cruises.

Upgrades

In 1962, the Craig entered the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco for her Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) overhaul. These lengthy projects were meant to extend the service life of the Navy's fleet of aging, World War II-era combat vessels as well as improve their anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities as naval tactics changed during the Cold War. Craig exited Hunters Point in March 1963. After shakedown trials concluded in October of that year, she returned to her pattern of Far East deployments. Her first combat assignment in Vietnam commenced immediately after a visit to Hong Kong in late July 1965.

Escalation

The Craig underwent another yard period between 1 December 1965 and 28 July 1966. On 13 September of that year, she took her position in the Gulf of Tonkin for a second combat mission. She returned to port in early 1967, remaining close to home for over two years before going back into action. The Craig reported to Yankee Station in the Gulf of Tonkin once again in July 1969, remaining in the area until November. Her next combat deployment was between 26 October 1970 and 22 April 1971, broken by a period of patrol duties in the Sea of Japan.

The John R. Craig would make one more combat deployment to Vietnam from December 1971 to July 1972 and one post-war deployment in 1973. During the former tour, the Craig visited Hong Kong and Bangkok before heading into harm's way in February 1971. On the 25th, an Army helicopter crashed when attempting to take off from the destroyer's deck. On 9 April, the vessel was hit during an exchange of gunfire with North Vietnamese troops onshore, during which some of the vessel's ASW equipment was damaged. Repairs were undertaken in Da Nang.

Upon her return from her last Far East deployment in 1973, the ship remained in port for a few months before being transferred to the U.S. Naval Reserve Force in 1974. In 1979, the 34-year-old vessel was deemed "out of warranty" and decommissioned. She was scuttled during a target exercise off the coast of California on 6 June 1980.

Asbestos Risks

The mineral asbestos was widely installed for insulation and as fire control in each U.S. Navy destroyer through both world wars. While nearly every part of a ship like the USS John R. Craig offered at least some asbestos exposure, the vessel's boilers and engineering compartments were the workspaces where sailors and shipyard workers were apt to be in danger of inhaling asbestos fibers.

When dealing with asbestos, the highest level of danger to human health happens in situations where items containing the mineral become damaged and breakable, because if the asbestos filaments escape into the air, the particles can be inhaled by those near the hazard. Numerous studies have shown that dangerous medical conditions such as mesothelioma are caused by even modest levels of asbestos exposure. Naval veterans with a history of exposure to this mineral should immediately tell their primary physician as related conditions can often be misdiagnosed.

If you have already been diagnosed with an illness related to asbestos exposure, you may have legal options for compensation. Many have received financial assistance to help pay for medical expenses and lost income. If you would like to learn more about this and treatment options, please fill out the request form on this page to receive a complimentary packet.

Sources:

Destroyers Index