USS Hoel (DD-533)
The USS Hoel (DD-533) served in the U.S. Navy for two years in the early 20th century, before being sunk by Japanese warships. She was named for Acting Volunteer Lieutenant William R. Hoel who served in the Civil War. Hoel was laid down as a Fletcher-class vessel.
Construction
Hoel was laid down at San Francisco, California by the Bethlehem Steel Corporation in June 1942, launched in December, and commissioned in July 1943 with Commander William Dow Thomas, USN, in command. Carrying a crew of 273, Hoel was 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
Hoel operated off the west coast in August and September 1943 and sailed to Pearl Harbor on convoy duty in October. She was assigned to Task Force 52 and joined Morris, Franks, and Hughes to guard Air Support Group 52.3, and guarded the aircraft carriers during operations at Makin Atoll in November. Hoel served with these vessels at Tarawa in December, where she also performed anti-submarine patrols offshore.
Hoel escorted the transports of the Joint Expeditionary Force at Kwajalein in January 1944, and then served as a radar picket south of Kwajalein. Continuing service with forces in the Marshall Islands, Hoel participated in operations at Eniwetok and the bombardments of Parry and Japtan Islands, as well as escorted carriers during the invasion of Peleliu in September. In October, Hoel was assigned to Task Group 77.4 for the invasion of the Philippines, operating off Samar during the troop landings at Leyte.
On the approach to Leyte Gulf, Hoel was ordered to attack the Japanese destroyers, and after she fired on Kongo, was struck by enemy fire which damaged several guns, radar, and steering control. Continuing with her engagement of the enemy cruisers, Hoel was soon surrounded by enemy ships and sustained over 40 hits by hostile fire. When she began sinking, the crew was ordered to abandon ship, but the Japanese continued to fire even as the surviving crew jumped overboard, and 268 crew members were lost. Hoel was awarded five battle stars for her service in World War II, as well as a Presidential Unit Citation and Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation Badge.
Asbestos Risk on the USS Hoel (DD-533)
Asbestos insulation was deployed nearly everywhere in ships and in naval facilities by the U.S. Navy until 1979. When inhaled, tiny asbestos fibers can become lodged in the body. There, they can cause tissue scarring and eventually, mesothelioma. Hoel’s crew was exposed to asbestos throughout the ship, with particularly high concentrations in and around the engine room. Almost every area of the ship contained at least some of the dangerous mineral.
Hoel is noted for the brave actions of her crew against impossible odds. While many of her complement went down with the ship, 86 men lived to tell her tale. Those stalwart sailors are just some of the many Navy veterans that faced a risk much later in life as a result of their service: mesothelioma. The disease is found in a much higher proportion amongst those that served in the Navy during this era.
Sources
Haze Gray & Underway. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. DD-533. (http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/destroy/dd533txt.htm) Retrieved 19 January 2011.
NavSource Naval History, USS Hoel (DD-533).
(http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/533.htm) Retrieved 19 January 2011.
