First commissioned in 1918, the USS New Mexico BB-40 started her 30-year service history as the flagship of the Pacific Fleet. Throughout her involvement in WWII combat operations, she would engage in a variety of missions that included training military personnel, bombarding enemy forces and protecting aircraft carriers.
The USS New Mexico in WWII
Seven months before the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, the USS New Mexico departed this base and headed for Norfolk, Virginia to join the Atlantic Fleet, which, at the time, was engaged in protecting the waters in the western hemisphere. Shortly after in May 1942, the USS New Mexico underwent a major modernization of her artillery equipment.
In her next phase of WWII operations, the USS New Mexico:
• transported soldiers to the Fiji Islands
• participated in combat missions in Adak, Attu and Kiska
• bombarded Makin and protected aircraft carriers during the Gilbert Island invasion
• supported the Marshall Island invasion
• performed strikes on Wotje, Tinian, Saipan and Guam
• supported troops in the Battle of the Philippine Sea
After engaging in further strikes on Guam, the USS New Mexico continued her combat operations by joining other battleships fighting in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. While attacks from kamikaze planes would force her to take a break from the war effort so she could undergo repairs at Pearl Harbor, once fixed, the USS New Mexico was ready to aid in the invasion of Okinawa.
The need for further repairs meant that the USS New Mexico was not actively serving the war effort in the final days of WWII. However, she did arrive in Tokyo Bay in time to witness the official surrender of the Japanese in September 1945.
Asbestos Exposure aboard the USS New Mexico
While her exemplary performance in the Pacific Fleet would ultimately earn her six battle stars, the USS New Mexico did have some bleak points in her history – namely, the endangerment of lives that worked aboard this battleship. In addition the obvious threats associated with war, those who worked on the USS New Mexico also experienced carcinogenic asbestos exposure, which, over time, can cause incurable diseases.
Because most people who are exposed to asbestos for long periods of time develop fatal conditions, anyone who spent time aboard the USS New Mexico can benefit from learning more about the effects and methods of battleship asbestos exposure.
Contact us today to learn more about asbestos exposure aboard the USS New Mexico.
