The USS Culebra Island (ARG-7) was a repurposed internal combustion engine repair ship commissioned by the U.S. Navy for World War II service. The ship was laid down in October 1943 under the name of SS John F. Goucher at Bethlehem Fairfield Shipyard in Baltimore, Maryland under a MARCOM contract. Once commissioned by the Navy in May 1944, the ship served as part of the Floating Repair Unit 1 at Alexishafen, where it spent the end of the year, as well as the beginning of 1945 providing support for the Leyte Operation and repairing ships in the San Pedro Bay. The vessel spent the rest of the war on repair duty in the Philippines. The ship was placed in the reserve fleet after the war and scrapped in 1974. However, since it was built during the middle of the last century, asbestos was present on the USS Culebra Island in tremendous amounts, which endangered the health of those serving on it. Therefore, we strongly advise veterans to undergo annual medical examinations to make sure the asbestos fibers they inhaled have not caused any damage to their lungs. If you think you were exposed to asbestos while serving aboard the USS Culebra Island (ARG-7), you may be eligible for monetary compensation through one or more of the established asbestos trust funds as well as VA claims.
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