The USS Edwin A. Howard (DE-346) was a John C. Butler-class destroyer escort laid down on November 15, 1943, and launched on January 25, the following year. It was commissioned on May 25, 1944, under Lt. Cmdr. BF. Denfield’s command as DE-346, and served in the U.S. Navy for 2 years until it was decommissioned on September 25, 1946. During its activities, the ship carried a complement of 215 people on board and had its main missions in New York, Hollandia, Morotai, Leyte, Okinawa, San Pedro, Palaus, Polloc, Samal Island, Tawi Tawi, and Balikpapan. After the decommissioning, the ship was struck from the Navy List on December 1, 1972, and sold for scrapping the following year. Many years ago, thousands of Navy veterans were exposed to asbestos while performing routine maintenance tasks or while the ships were being repaired in dry dock. It may take at least 10 years for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Signs and symptoms may include shortness of breath, chest pain, dry cough, wheezing, and finger deformity. If you believe you were exposed to asbestos while serving aboard the USS Edwin A. Howard (DE-346), if you have not had a check-up in the last year, please call your doctor because early detection favors successful treatment and outcomes.
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