USS Cooper (DD-695)

Construction

Cooper was laid down in Kearny, New Jersey by Federal Shipbuilding in August 1943. She was launched in February 1944 and commissioned in March 1944, with Commander J.W. Schmidt at the helm. Cooper carried a crew of 336 and offered a cruising speed of 36.5 knots. She was armed with six five-inch anti-aircraft guns, twelve 40-millimeter anti-aircraft guns, eleven 20-millimeter anti-aircraft guns, and ten 21-inch torpedo tubes.

Naval History

Cooper completed her initial shakedown and training near the east coast of the U.S. She sailed from Boston on July 23, 1944, bound for Pearl Harbor. She arrived to join the Pacific fleet on September 4. Cooper then completed a brief stint of operational training before sailing for Ulithi on October 23.

Cooper arrived at Ulithi on November 5 and immediately joined other vessels at sea, screening carriers for air attacks on Manila Bay, Ormoc Bay, and Luzon. The operation was completed on November 19, and Cooper was sent back to Ulithi for repairs.

On November 29, Cooper entered San Pedro Bay. There, she supported patrols in Leyte Gulf. On December 2, she joined forces with the American vessels Allen M. Sumner and Moale to hunt a Japanese shipping operation in Ormoc Bay. The three vessels located and engaged two Japanese destroyers during the mission (as well as many smaller vessels

Because of enemy forces patrolling the area, the 168 survivors were not rescued for over twelve hours—and even then, the rescues had to be completed by Black Cat airplanes. Neither of Cooper’s sister ships was able to perform rescue operations, as either would have been a sitting duck for further attacks. In the disaster, 191 men were lost.

Asbestos Risk on the USS Cooper (DD-695)

Practically every crewman aboard the USS Cooper may have been regularly exposed to ACMs (asbestos-containing materials

Those working in shipyards were also susceptible to being exposed to dangerous asbestos both from the ships they worked on and the buildings in the yard. Asbestos exposure is the primary cause of mesothelioma. Those who served in the navy on the USS Cooper may have legal options available to them if they have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. To request more information, please fill out the form on this page.

Sources

Haze Gray & Underway. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. DD-695. http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/destroy/dd695txt.htm