USS John J. Powers (DE-528) Areas With Asbestos Exposure

The USS John J. Powers (DE-528) was an Evarts-class destroyer escort laid down on September 25, 1943, and launched on November 2, the same year. It was commissioned on February 29, 1944, under Lt. Cmdr. E. W. Loew’s command as DE-528, and served in the U.S. Navy for one year until it was decommissioned on October 16, 1945. During its activities, the ship carried a complement of 198 people on board and had its main missions in Bermuda, Charleston, Boston, New York, Halifax, Casablanca, Casco Bay, Miami, and Mers El Kebir. After the decommissioning, the ship was struck from the Navy List on November 1, 1945, and sold for scrapping in 1946. If asbestos particles are inhaled or ingested, the fibers can become lodged in the lining around the lungs or other internal organs. Over time, those tiny fibers cause chronic inflammation and scarring, which can lead to the formation of cancer cells. Once fibers cause biological damage, the stage is set for a 10 to 40-year latency period for malignant mesothelioma to develop. If you or a loved one served in the U.S. Navy and now experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, persistent cough, and tightness in your chest, talk to your doctor as soon as possible.