The USS Straus (DE-408) was a John C. Butler-class destroyer escort laid down on November 18, 1943, and launched on December 30, the same year. It was commissioned on April 6, 1944, under Lt. Cmdr. D. A. Nienstedt’s command as DE-408 and served in the U.S. Navy for 3 years until it was decommissioned on January 15, 1947. During its activities, the ship carried a complement of 215 people on board and had its main missions in Pearl Harbor, Eniwetok, Bermuda, Norfolk, Aruba, Okinawa, Sasebo, Ulithi, the Palaus, and San Diego. After the decommissioning, the ship was struck from the Navy List on May 1, 1966, and used as a target ship during training exercises in 1973. For the services brought to the country during World War II, the USS Straus received 3 battle stars.
If you believe you were exposed to asbestos while serving aboard the USS Straus (DE-408), you may be eligible to seek fair compensation for your pain, suffering, and loss. A claim can be a request for service connection resulting in financial benefits from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs but could also result in access to hospitals, clinics, and treatment facilities.
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