The USS Farenholt (DD-491) was a Benson-class destroyer launched on November 19, 1941. It was commissioned on April 2, the following year under Lt. Comdr. E. T. Seaward’s command with the hull number DD-491 and served in the US Navy for 4 years before it was decommissioned on April 26, 1946. It was struck from the Navy List on June 1, 1971, and then sold for scrapping the following year. For the service brought to the country during World War II, the USS Farenholt (DD-491) received 11 battle stars.
A fibrous mineral with incredible fireproofing qualities was used extensively within the United States Navy between World War II and the late 1970s. Asbestos, the mineral in question, was incorporated in large sections of ships, especially in areas in need of heat-resistant materials. Entire generations of veterans that have done their service in toxic mediums breathing in asbestos disturbed from its compounds because of maintenance and repair jobs inevitable for the good functioning of the vessel are now at high risk of developing asbestos-related cancers and respiratory conditions.
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