The USS Frank Knox (DD-742) was a Gearing-class destroyer that served in both World War II and the Korean War. Like many other Navy ships built in the 1940s, the ship’s construction used a significant amount of asbestos and asbestos-containing materials. Many of the veterans who served aboard the ship, as well as the shipyard workers involved in building the vessel, were later diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other asbestos-related illnesses. Others are still at risk.
About the USS Frank Knox
The USS Frank Knox was one of the Gearing-class destroyers commissioned during World War II. With a displacement of 2,425 tons, a length of 390’6″, a beam of 41’2″, and a draft of 15’8″, the update to the previous class of destroyers extended the ships’ length by 14 feet, allowing them to carry more fuel and extending their range. The Frank Knox could achieve speeds of 34 knots. Its armament consisted of six 5-inch guns, ten 21-inch torpedo tubes, six depth charge projectors, and two depth charge tracks. The ship had a complement of 274 officers and enlisted personnel and a range of 4,500 nautical miles.[1]
The USS Frank Knox was launched on September 17, 1944, after being built by the Bath Iron Works Corporation, a shipyard in Bath, Maine that later came to be known for its extensive use of asbestos. The ship was named for Frank Knox, who served in the famous “Rough Riders” during the Spanish-American War and remained active in the Army Reserve while pursuing a distinguished career in journalism. Knox served in France during World War I, rising to the rank of major, and was later commissioned as a colonel. He served as Secretary of the Navy from July 11, 1940, until his death on April 28, 1944. The ship was sponsored by Mrs. Frank Knox, widow of Secretary Knox, and was commissioned on December 11, 1944, with Commander J.C. Ford, Jr. in command.[2]
The USS Frank Knox played significant roles in both war and peacetime operations. In June 1945, she joined the fast carrier task forces in their raids against the Japanese home islands and was present in Tokyo Bay during the surrender ceremonies on September 2, 1945. When the Korean War erupted, the Knox sailed on July 6, 1950, to join the 7th Fleet’s fast carrier task force in air operations against North Korea. She participated in the Inchon invasion, conducted shore bombardments, patrolled the Taiwan Straits, and joined in a highly effective mock invasion of the North Korean coast that deceived Communist forces into withdrawing troops from central Korea.
The Frank Knox was redesignated DDR-742 on March 18, 1949, and underwent various upgrades throughout its service life. During its years of operation, the ship conducted numerous patrols, participated in intensive training operations with foreign navies, and made goodwill visits to many ports under the President’s “People-to-People” program, including visits to Australia and New Zealand.[2]
For its service, the USS Frank Knox received one battle star for World War II service and five battle stars for Korean War service.
Service and Deployment History of the USS Frank Knox
The USS Frank Knox began its service with extensive training on both the east and west coasts of the United States before arriving in San Pedro Bay, Philippines, in June 1945. There, the destroyer joined fast carrier task forces in conducting raids against the Japanese home islands. The Knox was present in Sagami Wan and was present in Tokyo Bay during the Japanese surrender ceremonies on September 2, 1945. Following these events, the ship served on occupation duty in the Far East until sailing for its home port San Diego in January 1946.[2]
In 1947 and 1948, the Frank Knox completed tours of duty in the Far East. When the Korean War broke out, the destroyer joined the 7th Fleet’s fast carrier task force in conducting air operations against North Korea. During this deployment, the Knox participated in the Inchon invasion, conducted shore bombardments, and patrolled the Taiwan Straits.
One of the ship’s most notable operations occurred on January 30, 1951, when it joined in a mock invasion of the North Korean coast. This deceptive exercise proved highly effective, leading to Communist troops being withdrawn from central Korea for a time. The final 40-day period of the ship’s tour was spent bombarding the east coast rail centers of Chongjin and Songjin, successfully disrupting supply and communication routes.
After returning to San Diego in April 1951, the Frank Knox operated along the west coast and in Hawaiian waters until April 1952, when it sailed for Korean service again. The ship’s second wartime tour included several weeks in Wonsan Harbor providing fire support to minesweepers. The destroyer returned to the west coast in November 1952.
During a 1953 Far Eastern cruise that coincided with the Korean armistice, the Frank Knox conducted patrols and covered the transportation of former Chinese prisoners of war who had chosen to go to Taiwan rather than return to mainland Communist China.
In 1955, the ship took part in the evacuation of the Tachen Islands. It participated in annual deployments to the western Pacific through 1962, including intensive training operations, with ships of foreign navies. It also made goodwill visits to many ports under the President’s “People-to-People” program. Several of these deployments included visits to ports in Australia and New Zealand, further extending the ship’s diplomatic presence throughout the Pacific region.
In June 1965, the Frank Knox was sent to Southeast Asia to provide artillery support from the sea. The ship was conducting coastal security operations off of Vietnam when it suffered a severe mishap: On July 18, the ship became stranded on Pratas Reef in the South China Sea. It was eventually extracted following an extremely challenging salvage operation that required comprehensive repairs at naval facilities in Yokosuka, Japan. The ship then rejoined operational units in November 1966 and resumed its customary rotation of almost yearly Seventh Fleet assignments, routinely participating in Vietnam combat activities. In January 1969, the Frank Knox was restored to its original designation as DD-742. Its final operational voyage ended in November 1970 and the destroyer was decommissioned in late January 1971. A month later, its ownership was transferred to the Hellenic Navy of Greece.
How Was Asbestos Used on the USS Frank Knox?
The widespread use of asbestos on the USS Frank Knox was typical of ships ordered by the U.S. Navy between the 1930s and 1980s, especially during the years surrounding World War II. Though today we know that asbestos is highly carcinogenic, before 1970 it was valued for its ability to insulate and provide fireproofing without adding significant weight. Asbestos was inexpensive and easily available. It later came to light that many of the companies that provided the asbestos to the military were aware of its health risks but chose to keep the information quiet in order to maximize their profits. The military administration believed that it was protecting both its service members and military assets, only to have countless veterans diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases decades later.
Onboard Navy ships, asbestos was used in hundreds of applications, including:
- Engine and Boiler Rooms: These areas were where the most significant use of asbestos took place on ships. The material was used to insulate equipment, protect boiler technicians and others from heat, and help prevent the spread of fire.
- Protective Gear: Asbestos was incorporated into gear worn by sailors to protect them from burns, as well as firefighting equipment.
- Pipe Insulation: Asbestos was used to insulate pipes and ventilation ducts running throughout the ship.
- Additional Components: Ship elements such as gaskets, valves, and ceiling and flooring materials all contained asbestos.
Who Was Exposed to Asbestos on the USS Frank Knox?
Navy personnel who served aboard the USS Frank Knox faced significant risks of asbestos exposure. The material was present throughout the ship, and any disturbance of the asbestos-containing materials could release microscopic fibers into the air, where they were inhaled or ingested. Once in the body, these needle-like fibers are extremely difficult to expel: For those who served on the Frank Knox, this meant deadly particles becoming stuck in the cells of their mesothelium and lungs and, over time, causing tissue damage that led to scarring, mutations, and serious illnesses, including mesothelioma. These diseases often appear decades after exposure to the material.
While everyone on board was at risk of exposure, the crew members who worked directly with asbestos-containing materials in areas with poor ventilation faced the greatest risks. This included repair and maintenance workers who worked with asbestos-coated pipes, as well as the personnel stationed in the engine and boiler rooms where high concentrations of asbestos were present.
Many Navy veterans who served on destroyers like the USS Frank Knox have filed mesothelioma lawsuits after developing asbestos-related diseases. Those who operated boilers in fire rooms, repaired equipment including valves, pumps, and boilers, and cleaned machinery spaces were particularly vulnerable to dangerous levels of asbestos exposure.
Benefits and Compensation Available for USS Frank Knox Veterans
If you are a Navy veteran who served on the USS Frank Knox, or if you worked on the ship in any of the shipyards where it was built or maintained, you may have been exposed to asbestos and put at risk for serious illnesses. Veterans who were exposed to asbestos and subsequently developed asbestos-related diseases have the right to seek compensation from the Department of Veterans Administration.
Filing a claim with the Veterans Administration (VA) may lead to receiving benefits including coverage for medical expenses and access to medical care at either a VA medical center or a specialized treatment center focusing on your specific illness. VA benefits also include disability compensation, with mesothelioma rated as 100% disabling due to its severity and impact on quality of life.
In addition to receiving help from the VA, veterans are also able to seek compensation from the many asbestos companies that supplied the toxic material to the military. These companies can be pursued through lawsuits, which may result in jury awards or settlements. Additionally, veterans can file claims against one of the asbestos trust funds that many asbestos manufacturers were forced to establish when they filed for bankruptcy as a result of their asbestos liabilities.
If you were exposed to asbestos on the USS Frank Knox or during any military service, your best source of information is an experienced mesothelioma lawyer. These specialists can answer your questions, explain the process, help you identify the asbestos companies responsible for your illness based on your time of service, and assist you in filing for VA benefits as well as pursuing legal action against responsible parties.
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