The USS Rupertus (DD-851) was a Gearing-class destroyer laid down in 1945 by Bethlehem Steel Co. The ship was launched in September of the same year and commissioned in 1946. Following shakedown, the destroyer made deployments to the western Pacific, and after an overhaul, she departed in November 1950 to fight the Korean War, working with the United Nations Command forces. The ship took part in operations with the 7th Fleet in 1952 and completed screening the cruiser Bremerton in 1953. She participated in shore bombardment missions off Korea, conducted hunter-killer exercises, and continued her annual deployments to WestPac until 1960. In 1966 she homeported at Long Beach, and a year later, sailed for the Far East again for duty until 1969. The destroyer returned to San Diego in 1970, spending much of the time in drydock. An INSURV inspection declared the vessel unfit for service in 1973, and she was loaned to Greece. Because it was inexpensive and abounded the markets, asbestos was included in many products throughout different industries, including shipbuilding. The toxic mineral was applied as insulation to the ships' boilers, pipes, and machines. Therefore, Navy veterans should take periodic chest X-rays to inspect their lungs for signs of asbestos exposure.
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