USS Fletcher DD-445
The USS Fletcher (DD-445) was the lead ship of the Fletcher Class of World War II destroyers. She was part of the “Pineapple Fleet” homeported at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.
The Fletcher Class was an outstanding class of ships. They were capable of absorbing enormous battle damage, while continuing to fight and attack the enemy. By the end of the war, 175 of these 2100 ton destroyers had been delivered to the Navy. While she was built for service in World War II, the USS Fletcher, like many ships of her class, also served during the Korean War and into the Vietnam War.
The Fletcher was laid down at the Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in October of 1941, and launched on May 3, 1942. Fletcher was 376 feet, 3 inches long (114.7 m), with a beam of 39 feet 8 inches (12.1 m) and a 13 foot draft (4.0 m).
Soon after being launched, the Fletcher played an important role in the battle of Guadalcanal where she helped to sink two Japanese destroyers and the battleship Hiei. She continued to fight throughout the War in the Pacific. On February 14, 1945, the Fletcher was hit by enemy fire while providing cover to the minesweepers at Manila Bay. Eight of her men were killed and three were wounded, but she controlled the damage and continued to fire. Fletcher was awarded 15 battle stars for World War II service.
The Fletcher was placed in reserve after World War II. She was recommissioned in October 1949 as an escort destroyer, DDE-445. Fletcher served as a specialist in antisubmarine warfare during the Korean War and was awarded five battle stars for her service in Korean operations.
On August 1, 1969, Fletcher was decommissioned after more than twenty-seven years of brave and distinguished service. She served her country well through three wars and the name of the “Fighting Fletcher” lives on in the annals of Navy history.
Asbestos Exposure on the USS Fletcher
Fletcher class destroyers had over 30 tons of asbestos insulation on their piping and machinery. The shipyard workers at Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company were exposed to heavy concentrations of asbestos dust when this insulation was installed during the construction of the USS Fletcher in the 1940s. Likewise, when the USS Fletcher was overhauled and repaired throughout the years, shipyard workers worked in clouds of toxic asbestos dust as the asbestos insulation was removed so repairs could be made. Navy seamen were exposed to asbestos at sea as they operated and maintained the equipment on board the USS Fletcher.
Our firm has represented many men who served on the USS Fletcher or worked on the ship during overhaul and repair at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. These Navy seamen and shipyard workers suffer from very high rates of asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma as a result of the heavy use of asbestos on the Fletcher. Thousands of other Fletcher veterans and shipyard workers remain at risk for these terrible asbestos diseases.
