The USS Oswald (DE-767) was a Cannon-class destroyer escort laid down on April 1, 1943, and launched on April 25, 1944. It was commissioned on June 12, 1944, with the hull number DE-767, and served in the U.S. Navy for 2 years until it was decommissioned on April 30, 1946. During its activity, the ship carried a complement of 216 men on board and had its main missions in Bermuda, Boston, New York, Northern Ireland, Derry, Rhode Island, Florida, and Pennsylvania. After the decommissioning, in 1972, the ship was struck from the Navy List. A year later, the USS Oswald was sold for scrapping. Between World War II and the Korean War, asbestos-containing materials were used on Navy ships for insulation and fireproof qualities. Steam pipes aboard ships were insulated with asbestos, often running through crew compartments, sleeping quarters, and mess halls. Although debate continues to reign with regard to levels of exposure necessary to cause asbestos-related health conditions, it is well established that from a carcinogenic standpoint, there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos.
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