The USS Rodman (DD-456/DMS-21), a Gleaves-class destroyer, was laid down on 16 December 1940 by the Federal Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., Kearny, New Jersey, and launched on 26 September 1941; sponsored by Mrs. Albert K. Stebbins, Jr., grandniece of Admiral Rodman. The destroyer was commissioned on 27 January 1942, Commander William Giers Michelet in command. Reclassified DD-456 on 15 January 1955, the USS Rodman (DD-456/DMS-21) was decommissioned on 28 July 1955 and was transferred the same day to the Republic of China to serve as ROCS Hsien Yang (DD-16). Due to their durable and versatile nature, asbestos-containing materials were widely used in the shipbuilding industry for most of the 20th century. No area on the USS Rodman (DD-456) was considered safe, however, the engine rooms generally had the highest amount of asbestos-containing insulation products. Pipes throughout the ship were covered with asbestos lagging and these passed over the bunks placed in the sleeping quarters.
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