The USS Chehalis (AOG-48) was a Patapsco-class gasoline tanker laid down on November 6, 1943, and launched on April 15, the following year. It was commissioned on December 5, 1944, under Lt. Edward G. Rifenburgh’s command with the hull number AOG-48 and it served in the US Navy for 5 years until it exploded and killed 6 out of the 75 men from the crew on October 7, 1949. During its activities, the ship carried a complement of 131 people on board and had its main missions in Galveston, Leyte, San Pedro, Olympia, Puget Sound, Kwajalein, Iwo Jima, and Eniwetok. After the explosion, the ship was struck from the Navy List on October 27, 1949, and received four medals for the activity during World War II.
If you served onboard the USS Chehalis (AOG-48) for a longer time, you might have been exposed to asbestos. Unfortunately, the US Navy was not aware of the danger asbestos can have on our health. If you have been diagnosed with one of these diseases or conditions like asbestosis, lung cancer, pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma you may be entitled to VA benefits and compensation.
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