The USS Walton (DE-361) was a John C. Butler-class destroyer escort laid down on March 21, 1944, and launched on May 20, the same year. It was commissioned on September 4, 1944, under Lt. Cmdr. Wilbur S. Wills’ command as DE-361 and served in the U.S. Navy for 19 years until it was decommissioned on September 20, 1968. During its activities, the ship carried a complement of 215 people on board and had its main missions in Bermuda, Okinawa, Norfolk, Luzon, Formosa, San Diego, Hollandia, and San Pedro. After the decommissioning, the ship was struck from the Navy List on September 23, 1968, and sunk as a target ship during training exercises the following year.
After a person inhales asbestos fibers, scar tissue may begin to form in their lungs. Because the early signs of asbestos-related diseases are easy to disregard, too many Navy veterans receive a diagnosis of lung cancer, bronchial cancer, or mesothelioma at a late stage. If you believe you were exposed to asbestos while serving aboard the USS Walton (DE-361), be vigilant about symptoms.
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