The USS Porcupine (IX-126) was an Armadillo-class tanker designated an unclassified miscellaneous vessel, and the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the porcupine. The USS Porcupine (IX-126) keel was laid down as SS Leif Ericson on 11 October 1943 under a Maritime Commission contract by Delta S.B. Shipbuilder Company, New Orleans, Louisiana, and launched on 24 November 1943. On 30 December 1944, the USS Porcupine (IX-126), filled with aviation fuel, was struck by a kamikaze plane, off White Beach, Mangarin Bay, Leyte, PI. The successful attacker released a bomb over Porcupine’s main deck and crashed in after it. Seven sailors died and eight were wounded. During World War II, the USS Porcupine was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in Luzon operation, a land battle of the Pacific Theater of Operations of World War II by the Allied forces of the U.S., its colony the Philippines, and allies against forces of the Empire of Japan. Did you help build or serve the U.S. in the Navy aboard the USS Porcupine (IX-126)? If so, then you were likely exposed to asbestos. Asbestos was present on the ship putting personnel at an increased risk for health concerns. The areas constituting the highest danger of exposure were those located below the deck. Being in enclosed areas increased the risk of breathing in more asbestos fibers.
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