USS Parrott DD 218 (1920-1944)

The USS Parrott was commissioned in May of 1920 was sent to Destroyer Division 38, based in the Pacific Fleet. She was the flagship of this Destroyer Division and remained in the Pacific until she got sent back to Philadelphia in December of 1921. She escorted the President’s yacht, the Mayflower, to Washington D.C. before she got fitted out for European duty in 1922.

In June of 1922, the Parrott sailed from Rhode Island to the waters outside of Turkey as part of the Naval Detachment in the area. While in the Black Sea she escorted relief ships that were helping to evacuate survivors of the Smyrna fire.

In early 1925, the Parrott was reassigned to the Asiatic Fleet and arrived in Chefoo, China in June of that year. She assisted in putting together a landing force at Shanghai because of conditions that were unsettled.  She was based in Manila until 1935 when she was ordered to take in information around Saigon. The Parrott had  new pieces of equipment installed to help her find mines and hunt for submarines.

Action in World War II

After the Philippines fell in 1941,  the Parrott moved further South. She participated in the raid on Balikpapan Bay. While there she sank four enemy transports and a torpedo boat. The Parrott served as a transport for ships in the South Pacific and battled with the Japanese forces off of Bali. The Parrott had convoy escort duty to Norfolk, VA. While there she sustained accidental collision accident. She was decommissioned in 1944 sold for scrapping in April 1947.

Asbestos in Navy Ships

Although an essential component of the naval fleet, especially during World War II, naval destroyers also pose a lasting health risk to soldiers serving on them. Unfortunately, products containing asbestos were common, especially on older ships, because of the material’s high resistance to heat and fire. Despite its value as an insulator, asbestos fiber intake can lead to several serious health consequences, including mesothelioma, a devastating cancer without cure. Current and former military personnel who came into contact with these ships should seek immediate medical attention in order to detect possible health consequences associated with asbestos exposure.