The USS Bellatrix (AKA-3) was an Arcturus-class attack cargo ship launched on August 15, 1941, with the hull number AKA-3. It was commissioned on February 17, 1942, under Comdr. W.F. Dietrich’s command and served in the US Navy for 14 years until it was decommissioned on June 3, 1955. It carried a complement of 369 men on board. During this period, the ship operated in the Pacific, Sicily, and Saipan. In 1963, the USS Bellatrix was transferred to Peru. It was sold for scrap in 1991, though it sunk on the way to the port. For the services brought to the country during World War II, the USS Bellatrix received 6 battle stars. People who become ill from asbestos are typically those who are exposed to it on a consistent basis, in a job where they work directly with it. For example, Navy veterans were exposed to asbestos during repairs and consolidation work. When products containing asbestos are disturbed during repair work, they may release microscopic fragments of the mineral into the air endangering the health of service members and seafarers onboard marine ships.
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