The USS Guadalcanal (CVE-60) was a Casablanca-class escort carrier laid down on January 5, 1943, and launched on June 5, the same year. It was commissioned on September 25, 1943, with the hull number CVE-60 under Capt. Daniel V. Gallery’s command and served in the US Navy for 3 years until it was decommissioned on July 15, 1946. During its activity, the ship carried a complement of 916 men on board and had its main missions in Casablanca, Norfolk, Madeira, Hampton Roads, the Gulf of Guinea, Bermuda, and Pensacola. After the decommissioning, the ship was struck from the Navy List on May 27, 1958, and sold for scrapping on April 30, the following year to Hugo Neu Corporation in New York. For the services brought to the country during World War II, the USS Guadalcanal received 3 battle stars and the Presidential Unit Citation. During repair and maintenance, asbestos fibers break free into the air endangering the health of service members and seafarers on board. Inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause long-term health problems and Navy veterans who have developed illnesses due to exposure to asbestos during their military service may be eligible for VA benefits and can file compensation claims with asbestos trust funds.
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