USS Pasadena CL-65 (1944-1972)
The USS Pasadena was a 10,000 ton Cleveland-class cruiser. It was commissioned in June of 1944 and was built in Quincy, Massachusetts.
Action in World War II
The Pasadena mainly served as an escort for the aircraft carriers that struck at targets in the Philippines, South China Sea, Ryukyus, and the Japanese main land. It helped to supply gun support while securing Iwo Jima and Okinawa. It was present when Japan surrender on September 2nd of 1945.
After the War
The USS Pasadena remained in Japanese waters for the remainder of 1945 and into the early weeks of 1946. It assisted in a supporting role for the occupying forces in that region. The cruiser returned to the United States West Coast for a much needed overhaul. Afterward, it remained in the Eastern and Central Pacific Ocean for two years. It engaged in training and readiness drills until it was sent to the Far East from October of 1948 until May of 1949 as tension rose between the US and the Communist forces.
The USS Pasadena returned to the West Coast of the United States, undergoing local operations and patrols. It began its inactivation preparations in September of 1949 and was decommissioned at the Puget Sound Navy Yard in January of 1950. It was sent into the Pacific Reserve Fleet and remained there until it was removed from the Naval Vessel Register in December of 1970 and sold for scrapping in July of 1972.
Asbestos in Navy Ships
Although an essential component of the naval fleet, even today, naval cruisers also pose a lasting health risk to soldiers serving on them. Unfortunately, products containing asbestos were common, especially on older ships, because of the material’s high resistance to heat and fire. Despite its value as an insulator, asbestos fiber intake can lead to several serious health consequences, including mesothelioma, a devastating cancer without cure. Current and former military personnel who came into contact with these ships should seek immediate medical attention in order to detect possible health consequences associated with asbestos exposure.
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