USS Halligan (DD-584)

The USS Halligan (DD-584) served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. She was named for Rear Admiral John Halligan who served in the Spanish-American War and World War I. Halligan was commissioned as a Fletcher-class naval vessel.

Construction

Halligan was laid down by the Boston Navy Yard in November 1942, launched in March 1943, and commissioned in August with Commander C.E. Cortuer in command. Carrying a crew of 273, Halligan was 376 feet, five inches in length and armed with five 5-inch anti-aircraft guns, four 1.1-inch anti-aircraft guns, four 20-millimeter anti-aircraft guns, and ten 21-inch torpedo tubes.

Naval History

Halligan began her naval service by escorting Iowa, with President Roosevelt onboard, to the Teheran Conference in November. Upon arrival at Charleston, South Carolina in December 1943, Halligan was deployed to the Pacific and arrived at Pearl Harbor in January 1944. Halligan was assigned to Task Force 52 for the Marshall Islands invasion and served as a screening and patrol vessel at Kwajalein. She returned to Pearl Harbor in May, and protected aircraft carriers in support of operations at Saipan in June.

Halligan was then deployed to the Philippines and served during the Battle of Leyte Gulf for the invasion there. She also screened carriers during the battle off Samar, and in November, conducted screening duties for carriers between Leyte and the Admiralty Islands. The invasion of Luzon in January 1945 was next for Halligan, where she endured kamikaze attacks, and the destroyer was then assigned to support the invasion of Lingayen, where she performed escort, patrol, and anti-submarine operations.

Halligan conducted lifeguard duty north of Iwo Jima in February, prior to the invasion, and during the main operation provided support fire and protected aircraft carriers. The destroyer conducted fire support for the invasion of Okinawa, and then commenced minesweeper protective duties. In March, Halligan hit a mine head on and the explosion immediately destroyed the front end, including the bridge. Half of the crew was lost, and the remaining hulk went adrift and grounded on an island near Okinawa. Halligan was struck from the Navy list in April 1945, and her hulk was given to the government of the Ryukyu Islands in 1958.

Asbestos Risk on the USS Halligan (DD-584)

Halligan utilized asbestos-containing materials as insulation for its boilers and heavy equipment, and around pipes running the length and breadth of the vessel.

Since asbestos was found nearly everywhere on board, nearly every crewmen suffered some exposure. Sailors aboard Halligan when she struck the mine were exposed to high levels of asbestos, as parts of the ship were literally torn apart. Salvagers and rescue crews were similarly exposed when they worked with the ship’s hulk. All of these exposures were dangerous, because inhaled asbestos fibers are known to cause mesothelioma.

There are generally legal options for Navy veterans who have developed asbestos-related medical problems. We have created a mesothelioma information packet that explains your legal rights and treatment options. To receive this valuable information, please complete the form on this page. We’ll send you the guide at no cost to you.

Sources

Haze Gray & Underway. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. DD-584
(http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/destroy/dd584txt.htm) Retrieved 24 January 2011.

NavSource Naval History. USS Halligan (DD-584)
(http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/584.htm) Retrieved 24 January 2011.