Initially commissioned in 1943, the USS Wasp CV 18 was an aircraft carrier that served courageously in WWII and the decades following. In her nearly 30 years of service, the USS Wasp CV 18 fought in pivotal combat missions, underwent a few overhauls and, tragically, exposed thousands to the harmful mineral known as asbestos.
Like other 20th Century military craft, the USS Wasp CV 18 was made from and repaired with hundreds of asbestos-filled components. When airborne asbestos is inhaled, it damages the lungs and, over time, causes mesothelioma, lung cancer and other serious health problems.
Since the asbestos exposure that occurred aboard the USS Wasp CV 18 can be life threatening, anyone who worked on this aircraft carrier should take time to understand more about the presence and effects of asbestos.
The USS Wasp CV 18 in WWII
In her first missions of WWII, the USS Wasp CV 18 led training operations in Pearl Harbor, after which she:
• joined Task Force 58 and performed strikes in the Marshall Islands
• supported the invasion of Saipan
• launched strikes against Iwo Jima and Chichi Jima
• participated in the invasion of Guam and raids on the Palaus
• took part in the Battle of Leyte.
Following some badly needed repairs, the USS Wasp CV 18 was back in action, as she:
• led strikes against Okinawa and Sakishima Gunto
• supported the invasion of Iwo Jima
• suffered bomb damage that required a quick overhaul in Bremerton, Washington
• returned to action with strikes on Wake and Tokyo.
Ultimately, this final onslaught of attacks would force the Japanese surrender in August 1945. With the end of the war, the USS Wasp CV 18 played a role in "Operation Magic Carpet," which brought troops home. Shortly after, the USS Wasp CV 18 was decommissioned and assigned to the Atlantic Reserve Fleet.
For her service in WWII, the USS Wasp CV 18 was awarded eight battle stars.
The USS Wasp CV 18 after WWII
Re-commissioned in 1951, the USS Wasp CV 18 underwent a massive overhaul, after which she was reclassified as an antisubmarine carrier. In the following years, the USS Wasp CV 18 would participate in a series of world cruises that would have her visiting various international ports and conducting training operations.
Ultimately, however, the USS Wasp CV 18 would meet the same fate as many of her fellow carriers, as she was decommissioned in 1972 and later sold for scrap.
While she is no longer active, her presence can still be felt – positively through her honorable service record, but negatively through the lives she threatens due by having exposed them to asbestos.
In fact, anyone who spent time aboard the USS Wasp CV 18 likely experienced unsafe levels of asbestos exposure, as asbestos was used in boilers, engines, insulation and hundreds of other parts on the craft. Because long-term asbestos exposure is irreversible and life threatening, please contact us for further information regarding asbestos exposure if you ever spent time aboard the USS Wasp CV 18.
