As the only submarine named after the cero, a fish from the mackerel family, the vessel was built in 1942, having been sponsored by Mrs. Katherine J. Barbey, wife of Rear Admiral Daniel E. Barbey, Commanding officer of the Amphibious Force, Southwest Pacific Force. It earned 7 battle stars for World War II activity and is credited with sinking a total of 18,159 tons of shipping. The USS Cero (SS-225) was decommissioned in 1953 and eventually sold for scrap.
Since the sumbarine was built during the heyday of asbestos use, it most likely contained this toxic mineral in its wall insulation, which represented a terrible health hazard to the people who served on the vessel. If you were present on the USS Cero (SS-225) and experience symptoms such as a persisting cough, difficulty breathing or chest pain, we urge you to undergo a medical examination, as asbestos fibers might have damaged your lungs.
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