The USS Carpenter (DD-825) was a converted Gearing-class destroyer built when asbestos was a common component of naval shipbuilding. The ship contained the carcinogenic mineral throughout nearly all of its operational systems, its structure, and its most important equipment. Since that time, it’s become common knowledge that asbestos exposure causes cancer and other illnesses, resulting in sickness
The USS Caron was one of the Navy’s most accomplished destroyers of the late 20th century. Built in the early 1970s, she was also one of the last ships to be constructed using asbestos insulation and other parts and components. Today, many sailors and shipyard workers who worked on the ship are at risk of being diagnosed with mesothelioma,
The USS Blandy (DD-943) was a Forrest Sherman-class destroyer that served with distinction for over two decades. While the ship earned numerous honors and awards, many sailors who served aboard the Blandy have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and other serious diseases due to asbestos exposure. Like many other Navy vessels built between the 1930s and 1970s, the hazardous material was
The USS Black (DD-666) was a Fletcher-class destroyer that served the United States Navy with distinction across three major conflicts—World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Though the ship’s crew earned a total of eleven battle stars over her 26 years of active service, many have paid a terrible price, suffering mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases
The USS Bigelow (DD-942) was a Naval destroyer built when America was engaged in the Cold War and asbestos was still in common use in everything from shipbuilding to construction. What we know today as a toxic material was, at the time, an integral part of electrical and piping systems, structural elements, and operational equipment. Though the
The USS Bausell (DD-845) was a Navy destroyer commissioned after World War II’s end as part of the U.S. military’s post-war rebuilding process. Built when asbestos use was considered integral to assuring ships’ integrity and safety, the Bausell had the toxic mineral included in every aspect of its design, from her operational systems to her basic infrastructure. As a
The USS Basilone (DD-824) served the United States Navy from 1949 to 1977, participating in Cold War operations and in the Vietnam conflict. The veterans assigned to this Gearing-class destroyer served bravely, but years later, many were diagnosed with mesothelioma and other serious illnesses due to the ship’s extensive asbestos contamination. About the USS Basilone The Ship’s Heroic
The USS Mississinewa (AO-144) was a Navy fleet oiler that provided essential fuel and supply services to allied forces during the Cold War era. Like almost all naval vessels constructed in the post-World War II period, the USS Mississinewa was built with extensive asbestos materials throughout her structure. Veteranswho served aboard the Mississinewa faced significant health risks, with many later
The USS Bache (DD-470) was a Fletcher-class destroyer that served during World War II, the Cold War, and Vietnam. Though the ship earned eight battle stars for her Pacific theater service and two campaign stars for Vietnam operations, the pride felt by crewmembers was offset by concerns about asbestos. Many who served on the Bache were later diagnosed
The destroyer USS Ault (DD-698) served the United States for nearly three decades, through World War II, Mediterranean deployments, Korean War service, and Vietnam conflict missions. Like virtually all naval vessels constructed before the mid-1970s, the Ault’s environment was filled with asbestos-containing materials, resulting in many former Ault crew members being diagnosed with mesothelioma or other severe asbestos-related illnesses. About