The USS Garfield Thomas (DE-193) was a Cannon-class destroyer escort laid down on September 23, 1943, and launched on December 12, the same year. It was commissioned on January 24, 1944, under Lt. Comdr. Richard G. Werner’s command with the hull number DE-193 and served in the U.S. Navy for 3 years until it was decommissioned on March 27, 1947. During its activity, the ship carried a complement of 216 men on board and had its main missions in Bermuda, New York, Bizerte, Maine, United Kingdom, Cuba, Pearl Harbor, the Marshalls, Eniwetok, and Panama. After the decommissioning, the ship was transferred to Greece in 1951 where it was renamed HS Panther (D-67). If you think you were exposed to asbestos while serving aboard the USS Garfield Thomas (DE-193) and developed a condition based upon that exposure during your time in service, you will have two compensation options: filing a claim for disability compensation with the VA and filing a claim with one or more of the established asbestos trust funds. Dependants of asbestos sufferers who have not filed an asbestos claim in their lifetime can also make a claim for compensation but strict time limits do apply.
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