The USS Rudyerd Bay (CVE-81) was a Casablanca-class escort carrier laid down on October 24, 1943, and launched on January 12, the following year. It was commissioned on February 25, 1944, with the hull number CVE-81 under Capt. C. S. Smiley’s command and served in the US Navy for 2 years until it was decommissioned on 11 June 1946. During her activity, the ship carried a complement of 916 men on board and had her missions in Alameda, Eniwetok, Manus, Ulithi, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Guam, and Boston. After the decommissioning, the ship was struck from the Navy List on August 1, 1959, and sold for scrapping to Cantieri Navali Santa Maria in Italy in January 1960. For the services brought to the country during World War II, the USS Rudyerd Bay received 5 battle stars. If you worked on Navy ships during or after World War II, it’s highly likely you were exposed to asbestos in Navy ships, as the toxic mineral could be found in every part of the ship, including storage rooms, mess halls, navigation rooms, and sleeping quarters. Anyone who has worked on the USS Rudyerd Bay (CVE-81) or has been involved in her repair should consult a doctor if they experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, dry cough or wheezing, chest pain, or tightness.
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