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
Mesothelioma researchers from the United Kingdom have made a promising discovery that may help revolutionize treatment for the rare, asbestos-related disease. As part of the ongoing IST4 multi-center phase II clinical trial, they’ve found that bacteria living in the gut – collectively known as the gut microbiota – may play a crucial role in determining
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
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,
The USS Allen M. Sumner (DD-692) exemplified American naval superiority across three major conflicts during her nearly thirty-year career from 1944 to 1973. This Fletcher-class destroyer served with distinction in multiple World War II Pacific campaigns, Korean War operations, Cold War tensions, and Vietnam combat duty, but her history also includes exposing thousands of Navy
The USS Alfred A. Cunningham (DD-752) served the United States Navy for over 25 years, from her commissioning in late 1944 until her decommissioning in 1971. This Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer carried out numerous combat missions spanning World War II, the Korean conflict, and the Vietnam War. Like most naval ships built during the years surrounding World