USS Arnold J. Isbell (DD-869) & Asbestos

The USS Arnold J. Isbell (DD-869) was a Navy destroyer that sailed for the United States for nearly three decades. Serving from 1946 to 1974, her career included Korean War and Cold War operations and the Vietnam conflict. Like almost all Navy ships built before the mid-1970s, the Isbell’s construction used asbestos materials throughout her systems and structure. Today, we understand the dangers of this practice, but the lack of knowledge or warnings in the early 20^th century led to many former Isbell crew members being diagnosed with mesothelioma and other serious asbestos-related diseases. 

About the USS Arnold J. Isbell 

The USS Arnold J. Isbell was a Gearing-class destroyer, the last model of destroyer built in the 20^th century. Bearing the designation DD-869, she operated for the U.S. Navy from January 1946 through February 1974. During her operational lifetime, she underwent several modernization programs, including a comprehensive Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) overhaul that enhanced her combat capabilities and extended her useful life. Throughout her career, the USS Arnold J. Isbell earned six battle stars for Korean service and two for Vietnamese operations.[1]

The Ship’s Namesake 

This warship was named in honor of the late Captain Arnold J. Isbell, who served with distinction during both World War I and World War II. As an antisubmarine task group commander between July 27 and November 9, 1943, Captain Isbell trained his escort carrier-destroyer unit to excel at finding and destroying enemy submarine forces. His exceptional achievements in antisubmarine warfare earned him the Legion of Merit.[1]

Captain Isbell’s extensive knowledge of antisubmarine combat led to him being assigned to a shore-based unit dedicated to researching and developing new tactics for this type of warfare. After completing this assignment in 1945, he was to receive command of a fast carrier, but he died when a Japanese aircraft scored two bomb hits on the ship he was traveling on as a passenger on his way to his new command.

Design and Construction of the USS Arnold J. Isbell

The USS Arnold J. Isbell was laid down in March 1945, at Staten Island, New York, by the Bethlehem Steel Company. The destroyer was launched in August 1945, with Mrs. Arnold J. Isbell, the widow of Captain Isbell, serving as sponsor. Commander Carlton B. Jones assumed command when the vessel was commissioned in early January 1946.

As one of the 98 Gearing-class destroyers representing the final design improvement over the Allen M. Sumner and Fletcher-class ships, the Isbell displaced 2,425 tons standard, measured 390 feet 6 inches in length with a beam of 40 feet 10 inches, and had a draft of 18 feet 6 inches. Her propulsion system was powered by Babcock & Wilcox boilers and General Electric turbines, and generated speeds of 34.6 knots. She carried a complement of 345 officers and enlisted personnel and an armament configuration including three 5-inch guns, twelve 40mm anti-aircraft guns, eight 20mm anti-aircraft guns, two depth charge tracks, six depth charge projectors, and ten 21-inch torpedo tubes.[2]

Operational Service Record

Early Service and Cold War Operations

After a shakedown cruise to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the USS Arnold J. Isbell joined the Atlantic Fleet and operated off the east coast through 1946. In January 1947, she transferred to the Pacific Fleet from her new home port, San Diego, California.

In May 1947, the Isbell left California for her first Western Pacific deployment. The ship visited several Asian ports before returning to San Diego in December. During 1948, the destroyer went through hunter-killer training and served as a training platform for Naval Reserve personnel. In February 1949, she sailed to Bremerton, Washington, for two months of upkeep before leaving again for the Far East. The Isbell was present at Shanghai and Tsingtao and evacuated the American consul and his family when both cities fell to the Communists.[1] 

Korean War 

When South Korea was invaded in June 1950, the ship immediately began preparations for participation in the conflict. She sailed for Korean waters in November, screening Task Force 77, visiting Taiwan as part of a show of strength, and escorting troop transports bringing the 45th Army Division to Hokkaido, Japan.

In May 1951, she participated in bombardment operations against enemy troop concentrations, highways, and railroads at Songjin, Chongjin, and Wonsan before returning to San for repairs and training.

The Isbell was deployed to Korea again in January 1952, operating between February and August as a unit of the 7th Fleet striking force. She also participated in hunter-killer missions, served on Taiwan Strait patrol, and joined USS St. Paul (CA-73) in bombarding Songjin before returning to the United States in August for a three-month overhaul at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton.[1]

In July 1953, she returned to Korean operations, joining in coastal patrols and escorting USS New Jersey (BB-62) into Pusan harbor, where President Syngman Rhee presented the 7th Fleet with a unit citation from the Republic of Korea. She was also used briefly as a training ship for the Nationalist Chinese Navy at Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and acted as a rescue and communications vessel at Pusan during a major fire.

Cold War Pacific Operations

Following Korean War service, the Isbell continued regular Western Pacific deployments throughout the 1950s, participating in various training exercises, Taiwan Strait patrols, and diplomatic missions. Notable operations included her role in the evacuation of the Tachen Islands in January 1955. The destroyer crossed the equator in October 1956 while headed for Samoa, Wellington, New Zealand, and Manus in the Admiralty Islands before joining in operations between Hong Kong and Japan.[1]

FRAM Modernization and Vietnam Service

In June 1961, the Isbell’s home port changed to Bremerton, Washington, and later that month she entered Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization overhaul. Following the completion of her new configuration in May 1962, she reported to her new home port of Long Beach, California. After undergoing refresher training, the destroyer sailed for the Far East to participate in Operations “Red Wheel,” “Glass Door,” and “Sea Serpent.” Then, in October 1965, the USS Arnold J. Isbell began her first combat deployment to Vietnam, relieving USS Brinkley Bass (DD-887) on the northern search and rescue station in the Gulf of Tonkin. She conducted these duties until March 1966.

After an overhaul at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, the Isbell deployed again to the western Pacific in July 1968, arriving off the Vietnamese coast in August to provide gunfire support. Her final Western Pacific deployment began in September 1971, when she served as a carrier escort and naval gunfire support ship in Vietnamese waters while also making a goodwill visit to Devonport, Tasmania.[1]

Reserve Training and Decommissioning

After preparing for reserve training fleet service, the Arnold J. Isbell began training duties in June 1972, and remained in that role until February 1974, when she was decommissioned and struck from the Navy list. The ship was later transferred to Greece and entered the Greek Navy.

Where Was Asbestos Located on the USS Arnold J. Isbell?

Like all destroyers constructed during that time, the USS Arnold J. Isbell had extensive asbestos-containing materials incorporated throughout her structure. While no area could be considered asbestos-free, certain areas contained particularly dangerous concentrations of these hazardous materials:

• Engineering compartments were contaminated by extensive asbestos-containing materials used to insulate surrounding boilers, turbines, pumps, and valves. Thermal insulation blankets, gaskets, and packing materials typically contained high percentages of asbestos.
• The destroyer’s extensive pipe networks, which carried steam and hot water throughout the ship, were wrapped in or sprayed with asbestos insulation.
• Electrical systems, including wiring, control panels, and related components, relied on asbestos for its fire-resistant and insulating properties.
• Crew living spaces, including the mess and sailors’ bunks, contained asbestos in floor tiles, ceiling materials, wall insulation, and fire-resistant doors.
• Firefighting equipment and protective gear used by damage control teams often incorporated asbestos for thermal protection.

The Isbell’s 1961-1962 FRAM modernization at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard involved removing asbestos materials that were in place throughout the vessel and installing new equipment that also contained the toxic mineral. These activities sent dangerous asbestos fibers into the air, where they could be inhaled by both shipyard workers and crew members.

Who Was at Greatest Risk of Asbestos Exposure Onboard the USS Arnold J. Isbell?

While all personnel serving aboard the USS Arnold J. Isbell faced potential asbestos exposure, sailors whose work responsibilities placed them in areas of greatest concentration, or working with equipment that contained asbestos insulation, encountered significantly elevated risks:

• Machinist’s Mates: These sailors operated and maintained the ship’s propulsion systems. Their work involved direct contact with asbestos-insulated equipment in confined engine spaces.
• Boiler Technicians: These specialists managed the ship’s steam generation systems. They worked in environments that had the highest concentrations of asbestos.
• Damage Controlmen: Sailors responsible for emergency repairs frequently disturbed asbestos-containing materials during their duties.
• Hull Maintenance Technicians: These personnel did structural repairs. Their work assignments meant that they regularly encountered asbestos insulation.
• Pipefitters: Those working with the ship’s extensive piping systems routinely handled asbestos-wrapped pipes and components.
• Electricians: Installing and maintaining electrical systems required constant contact with asbestos-containing materials.
• Shipyard Workers: Both civilian and military personnel were involved in the Isbell’s construction, FRAM modernization, and overhauls. All these workers were at risk of exposure during these intensive maintenance periods.

Military ships’ environments were almost always cramped and had limited ventilation. Asbestos fibers are extremely lightweight; they can remain suspended in the air and circulate through compartments for hours, and enclosed spaces magnify exposure risks. This meant that even personnel who did not work directly with asbestos-containing materials were in danger of inhaling the toxic particles.

Health Implications for USS Arnold J. Isbell Veterans

Asbestos exposure can trigger several serious, often terminal health conditions. Mesothelioma is the most insidious of these. The always fatal disease typically does not show symptoms until 20 to 50 years after exposure, and this extended latency means that many USS Arnold J. Isbell veterans may still be diagnosed despite having been exposed decades ago.

The most frequently diagnosed asbestos-related conditions affecting naval veterans include:

• Mesothelioma: An aggressive, typically fatal cancer affecting the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart; almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure.
• Asbestosis: A chronic, progressive lung disease characterized by scarring of lung tissue, leading to breathing difficulties and reduced oxygen transfer.
• Lung Cancer: Asbestos exposure substantially increases lung cancer risk, particularly when combined with tobacco use.
• Pleural Abnormalities: Non-cancerous conditions affecting the lung lining, including plaques, thickening, and effusions, which can impair respiratory function.
• Additional Malignancies: Research has linked asbestos exposure to cancers affecting the larynx, gastrointestinal tract, and other organs.

These conditions often result in significant medical expenses, diminished quality of life, reduced earning capacity, and premature death for affected veterans and their families.

Options for Veterans with Asbestos-Related Illnesses

Veterans who served aboard the USS Arnold J. Isbell and developed asbestos-related diseases may feel hopeless, but there are several options for compensation and justice:

VA Benefits

The Department of Veterans Affairs has recognized the connection between military service and asbestos exposure. Eligible veterans may receive:

• Disability compensation (with mesothelioma typically qualifying for a 100% disability rating)
• Specialized healthcare from physicians experienced in treating asbestos diseases
• Support services, including counseling, home healthcare, and medical equipment

To qualify, veterans must document both their naval service history and their diagnosis in a way that establishes the connection between their duties and current illness.

Asbestos Trust Funds

In the face of thousands of personal injury claims and millions in liabilities following jury decisions, many asbestos product manufacturers and suppliers have established bankruptcy trust funds to compensate victims. These trusts collectively manage billions of dollars that have specifically been set aside for asbestos-affected individuals. This means that even if the companies responsible for exposing you to asbestos no longer exist, you can file claims against these funds. Requirements for payment include: 

• Documentation of asbestos exposure circumstances
• Medical diagnosis of an asbestos-related condition

Legal Claims

Many of the companies responsible for placing asbestos products in naval vessels were aware of the material’s dangers but chose to keep the information quiet so they could continue profiting from military demand. Veterans can pursue compensation from these companies by filing personal injury lawsuits for medical expenses and pain and suffering, and surviving family members can file wrongful death actions. Both of these types of litigation have provided asbestos victims with significant awards, and many lawsuits are resolved in out-of-court settlements before they ever have to go to trial.

Though all of these processes can offer significant financial relief, they are extremely complex. Seeking help from asbestos attorneys experienced in these types of cases can help you navigate documentation requirements and deadlines, identify responsible parties, meet filing deadlines, and maximize compensation during this challenging period.