The USS Bracken (APA-64) was a Gilliam-class attack transport laid down on March 13, 1944, and launched on June 10, the same year. It was commissioned on October 4, 1944, under Lt. Comdr. C. S. Lee’s command with the hull number APA-64 and served in the US Navy for 2 years until it was decommissioned on August 29, 1946. During its activities, the ship carried a complement of 322 people on board and had its main missions in California, Pearl Harbor, Midway, Hilo, Eniwetok, Okinawa, and Saipan. It also took part both in Operation Crossroad and Magic Carpet. After the decommissioning, the ship was struck from the Navy List on April 5, 1948, and sunk as a target during training exercises.
The U.S. government required the U.S. Navy to use asbestos as insulation. During World War II asbestos use increased largely because of military shipbuilding contracts. Navy veterans who served onboard the USS Bracken (APA-64) may have been developing severe asbestos-related diseases due to the long-term exposure to this dangerous mineral. If your health has been affected, you may be eligible for compensation and VA benefits.
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