USS Killen DD-593

The USS Killen (DD-593) was a Fletcher-class destroyer launched on 10 January 1943 from the Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton, Washington and commissioned on 4 May 1944. It was named for the heroic Edward Killen, who in 1804, volunteered for the U.S. expedition to Tripoli to destroy the captured U.S. ship Philadelphia in the First Barbary War.

Actions in the Pacific Theater

After the Killen's shakedown cruise, she left Port Angeles, Washington headed for Pearl Harbor. From there, she escorted a convoy to the Admiralty Islands, landing at Manus on 14 September. After training exercises, the Killen left Hollandia with the Central Philippine Attack Force, which arrived off San Pedro Bay on the 20th. In the days that followed, the destroyer provided support for the troops who landed on Leyte in the Philippine invasion. She performed valiantly - particularly in one incident during which she was successful in destroying three enemy artillery positions in the span of only 30 minutes.

During the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the Killen engaged the Japanese in the Surigao straight. It was during this action that the Killen launched five torpedoes, crippling the battleship Yamashiro and allowing other U.S. naval assets to maneuver into position and sink her. After this, the Killen resumed anti-aircraft screening maneuvers and was successful in downing four Japanese planes before one bomb impacted her port side, killing 15 sailors. The Killen undertook temporary repairs at San Pedro Bay and at Manus and then sailed for Hunter's Point, California where she was overhauled in 1945.

On 9 May 1945, the Killen returned to the Pacific Theater and began pre-invasion bombardment of enemy positions on Borneo. After the Borneo operations, the Killen arrived at Manila on June 14, then joined with the North Pacific Force two weeks later in preparation for the final phase of the war in the Pacific.

The End of the War

After the end of hostilities, the Killen was assigned to occupation force support throughout the Japanese home islands. She continued this duty until 14 November, after which she returned to Puget Sound and then sailed to San Diego for decommissioning on 9 July 1946.

Target Practice and Sinking of the USS Killen

In 1958, during the nuclear testing operation Hardtack in the Pacific, the Killen was used as a target ship though it was not destroyed. In 1962, she was engaged with high explosive tests in Chesapeake Bay. The Killen was removed from the Navy registry in January, 1963 and used as a target ship for missiles and bombs off Vieques Island in Puerto Rico. The ship was finally sunk in 1975 and lies in shallow water off the coast of the island to this day.

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 Killen 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