The USS Lionfish (SS-298) was built by the Cramp Shipbuilding Company in 1942, like most Balao-class vessels. Although it completed only 2 war patrols, it received numerous awards, such as the National Defense Service Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one battle star, and the Navy Occupation Medal. The submarine was in service for only 2 years, but veterans who were present on it should still pay close attention to their health, as asbestos exposure occurred onboard.
Though the use of asbestos has been banned or highly restricted for certain uses since the 1980s, up until that point, Navy veterans were exposed to the carcinogen daily during their military service, from serving on the ship to stripping vessels in a Navy shipyard. If you are experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, dry cough, and wheezing, it is important that you seek medical attention and legal support right away. Today, the USS Lionfish is a National Historic Landmark that can be admired at Battleship Cove in Fall River, Massachusetts.
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