As the lead ship of the "Iowa Class" of battleships, the USS Iowa BB-61 has an honored service history in both World War II and the Korean War. Over her 47 years of duty, the USS Iowa did everything from train military personnel and participate in full-fledged combat to undergo modernizations and escort oil tankers from Kuwait in the 1980s.
While many lives were endangered in the military missions she performed throughout the years, sadly, those who helped build, repair and modernize the USS Iowa also faced life-threatening situations, namely in the form of toxic asbestos exposure on board this battleship.
The USS Iowa in WWII
As the flagship of Battleship Division 7, the USS Iowa played an important role in many of the battles and invasions that took place with the Japanese in the Pacific. After supporting air strikes in Eniwetok and Kwajalein, the USS Iowa:
• provided ammunitions support in the Caroline Islands
• aided on raids centered on the Truk Atolls
• supported air strikes on the Marianas, Hollandia and the Aitape Islands
• protected against air raids in the Battle of the Philippine Sea
After fighting in the Battle of Okinawa, the USS Iowa finished up some final missions and then headed to San Francisco for massive repairs and a thorough overhaul. She was repaired in time to support some final missions of the war, including air raids on mainland Japan, and she eventually returned to America in September 1945 at the end of WWII.
The USS Iowa After WWII
Out of war, the Navy assigned the USS Iowa to focus on training military personnel until her decommission in 1949. This time out of service wouldn't last long. With the U.S. involvement in the Korean War, the USS Iowa would be re-commissioned on August 25, 1951.
After patrolling the West Coast as her first act back on duty, the USS Iowa participated in combat in Songjin, Hungnam and Kojo. However, the end of the Korean War, like the end of WWII, would result in another decommission for the USS Iowa in 1958.
Over 20 years passed before the USS Iowa was again summoned to duty. With her third re-commission in April 1984, she traveled extensively to Europe while also supporting escort missions involving oil tankers from the Middle East.
After a mysterious explosion damaged the battleship in 1989, the USS Iowa was finally decommissioned for the last time. For her service in WWII, the USS Iowa earned nine battle stars. For her performance in the Korean War, she earned two.
Asbestos Exposure on the USS Iowa
As with all of the battleships built and repaired during the early to mid 1900s, the USS Iowa was largely constructed from parts and substances that contained the toxic mineral known as asbestos. In addition to engine parts and drywall, battleships commonly contained the following asbestos-laden parts:
• boilers and industrial ovens
• caulking
• hot water pipes and tanks
• insulation
• tars
• tiles
Over time, exposure to asbestos causes people to develop mesothelioma, asbestosis and other deadly diseases. Anyone who worked or spent time on the USS Iowa should contact us for information and resources on asbestos exposure.
