The USS Goss (DE-444) was a John C. Butler-class destroyer escort laid down on December 16, 1943, and launched on March 19, the following year. It was commissioned on August 26, 1944, under Lt. Cmdr. Claude A. Kirkpatrick’s command as DE-444 and served in the U.S. Navy for 9 years until it was decommissioned on October 10, 1958. During its activities, the ship carried a complement of 215 people on board and had its main missions in San Diego, Panama, Bermuda, Kossel Roads, Okinawa, Iwo Jima, and San Francisco. After decommissioning, the ship was struck from the Navy List on March 1, 1972, and sold for scrapping the same year. For the services brought to the country during World War II, the USS Goss received 4 battle stars. Those working directly with asbestos products and materials were most at risk of being impacted by asbestos exposure. Some of the naval jobs that pose an increased risk of exposure include boiler tenders, engine mechanics, shipfitters, pipefitters, steelworkers, repairmen, electricians, welders, machinists, damage control men, gunner’s mates, and firemen. Asbestos exposure can also occur through the disturbance of asbestos-containing materials, during repair or maintenance work.
760-621-6147
