USS McCalla (DD-488)
The USS McCalla (DD-488) was a destroyer in service with the U.S. Navy during the Second World War. The second vessel so named, McCalla honored the naval service of Rear Admiral Bowman H. McCalla (1844-1910).
Construction
McCalla was laid down on September 15, 1941, by Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Kearney, New Jersey. She was officially commissioned on May 27, 1942, with Lieutenant Commander W. G. Cooper in command.
Naval History
Upon commissioning, McCalla spent a brief period in the Atlantic before reporting to Pacific waters in September. She immediately joined in the campaign for the Solomon Islands, joining Rear Admiral Scott’s Task Force 64 and patrolling the waters near Guadalcanal with orders to destroy seek and destroy enemy ships. On October 11, TF 64 encountered a Japanese force with significant losses to both sides. Admiral Scott’s force sank two enemy vessels and air support from nearby Henderson Field sank two more. The destroyer Duncan was lost, with McCalla rescuing 197 of her crewmen.
McCalla continued her duties during the campaign for Guadalcanal, and in November, she destroyed 40 enemy landing boats off Tassaforanga Point. 1943 saw McCalla undertaking plane guard, escort, and anti-submarine patrol duties. She participated in the New Georgia campaign that summer, escorting troop transports to Rendova Island. On June 30, Japanese forces attacked, and McCalla fought back, splashing at least one enemy plane. She also rescued 98 crew from the vessel McCawley (APA-4), which was sunk by a torpedo.
After this engagement, more escort and anti-submarine work followed, with a brief respite for repairs at Mare Island. En route, she chanced to pick up 868 survivors from the torpedoed vessel SS Cape San Juan. In January of 1944, McCalla resumed combat operations. For the rest of the year, she engaged in a variety of duties. During the summer months, McCalla joined TF 58, participating in carrier strikes on the Marianas, Bonins, Palaus, Philippines, Formosa, and Okinawa.
In October, McCalla resumed escort duties, and in July of 1945, she received her final wartime assignment, clean-up operations in the western Caroline Islands. She arrived home in August, and upon her decommissioning in May of 1946, she entered the Atlantic Reserve Fleet. In April of 1949, she entered into the service of the Turkish Navy as Giresun (D-345).
Asbestos Risk on the USS McCalla (DD-488)
Some compartments aboard McCalla deployed asbestos more extensively than did others, but most ship areas were potentially dangerous to the crew. The engine and boiler sections of the ship used the highest amounts of asbestos containing materials: as insulation for steam pipes, to fireproof boilers, and to cover parts of the ship's motors and power plant. Sailors assigned in the engineering sections, working on heavy machinery, putting out fires, or in damage control parties were the most likely to inhale asbestos fibers. Regular exposure to asbestos has been conclusively linked to a number of serious health problems later in life, including mesothelioma.
Veterans harmed by asbestos often have a legal right to compensation. Claiming this money can help defray the high cost of treatment and provide financial security for family and loved ones. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma after serving aboard the USS McCalla, a lawyer specializing in asbestos cases can explain your legal options.
Sources
“McCalla II.” Dictionary of American Fighting Ships.
http://www.history.navy.mil/DANFS/m7/mccalla-ii.htm
