The USS Parker (DD-604) was a Benson-class destroyer laid down on June 9, 1941, and launched on May 12, the following year. It was commissioned on August 31, the same year under Lt. Comdr. John W. Bay’s command with the hull number DD-604 and served in the US Navy for 5 years until it was decommissioned on January 31, 1947. During its activity, the ship carried a complement of 276 people on board and had its main missions in Cuba, North Africa, Mehedia, the United Kingdom, Maine, Algeria, and Naples. After the decommissioning, the ship was struck from the Navy List on July 1, 1971, and sold for scrapping in 1973. For the services brought to the country during World War II, the USS Parker received 4 battle stars. Tons of asbestos-containing materials were used in naval ships until the mid-1970s because of their tensile strength, incombustibility even at very high temperatures, low thermal conductivity, and high resistance to chemical damage. Anyone who served onboard the USS Parker (DD-604) or been involved in its repair should be on the alert for signs of asbestos-related diseases and consult a doctor immediately if they experience symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, finger deformity and/or persistent cough.
760-621-6147
