The USS Okanogan (APA-220) was laid down by the Permanente Metals Corporation as a Haskell-class attack transport ship in 1944 to serve during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. It had the design of a Victory ship and was named after the Okanogan County of Washington. The ship was sponsored by Mrs. E. J. Husted and operated under the command of Commander Frederick Fender during World War II. It received numerous awards and honors by virtue of the extraordinary activities it performed during these conflicts, namely one battle star for World War II, six battle stars for the Korean War, four battle stars for Armed Forces Expeditionary Service and five campaign stars for the Vietnam War. Asbestos was present in large amounts on US vessels in the period when the USS Okanogan (APA-220) was active. Exposure to asbestos occurs when one breathes in or swallows the tiny asbestos fibers from the air. Thereby, people who served on the ship should undergo a periodical medical examination to timely find out about a potential disease, such as lung cancer or mesothelioma, they may have developed as a result of asbestos exposure. In 1973, the USS Okanogan was struck from the Navy Vessel Register.
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