USS Kendrick DD-612

The USS Kendrick (DD-612) was launched on 2 April 1942 from San Pedro, California and was built by the Bethlehem Steel Corporation. She was a Benson-class destroyer and served primarily in World War II.

Beginning of Service and World War II

The Kendrick undertook her shakedown cruise on the west coast, engaging in shakedown and training exercises. After this, she sailed from San Diego on 11 December 1942 and arrived at Casco Bay, Maine on 28 December. From there, she sailed to New York, joined a convoy, and left for Casablanca on 13 January 1943.

The next month, she returned to New York and began patrol duties from Norfolk, Virginia to Newfoundland. On 28 April, she departed for a round-trip escort mission to Algeria and returned to New York on 8 June. The Kendrick was only in port for three days before setting out again for the Mediterranean, this time in escort of Task Force 85 headed by Rear Admiral Alan G. Kirk. Task Force 85 also contained troops of the 45th Infantry Division, in transport for the planned invasion of Sicily on 22 June.

After another trip to New York and back, the Kendrick returned to Algeria on 2 September. This was the night that a German bomber made an attack on the port, striking the Kendrick with a torpedo. The plane was downed by one of the ship's guns, but the damage had been done. There was no loss of life, and as the destroyer limped back to port, it is reported that sailors threw life rings to the crew of the downed German plane and reported their position to rescuers.

After repairs were made in the port of Oran, the Kendrick was towed back to Norfolk and arrived on 26 October. More extensive repairs were made and the Kendrick returned to duty, making a round-trip escort cruise to the United Kingdom.

For three months after arriving back in Algeria on 5 March, the Kendrick assisted ground forces as the invasion of Italy progressed up the peninsula. After Rome was liberated by the Allied forces, the Kendrick prepared for the invasion of southern France. During this action, the Kendrick provided fire support for the 36th Infantry Division as it stormed the French beaches on 15 August. The destroyer continued the bombardment in support of the invading troops through the month of August.

After completion of this mission, the Kendrick returned to the United States and arrived in Boston on 19 September. The destroyer returned to the Mediterranean in November as an escort and then returned to New York on 15 December. Departing Norfolk on 6 January 1945 with the 8th Fleet, she spent the next four months performing air-sea rescue, escort duty and fire support missions.

After the end of the war, the Kendrick returned to the United States, engaged in training missions in Cuba and then moved through the Panama Canal for further training missions at Pearl Harbor.

Decommissioning and Retirement

The Kendrick was decommissioned at Orange, Texas on 31 March 1947. She joined the Atlantic Reserve Fleet and remained in this capacity until 1 May 1966, when her name was struck from the register. She was then taken to the David Taylor Model Basin, a naval experimental facility, and used in destruction tests at sea.

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 Kendrick 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