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 present throughout the Blandy’s structure and equipment.
About the USS Blandy
The Ship’s Namesake
The USS Blandy was named to honor Admiral William Henry Purnell Blandy, a distinguished naval officer recognized for his leadership during World War II. Admiral Blandy served as Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance, overseeing the development and procurement of naval weapons systems, then commanded Amphibious Group 1 in Pacific operations against Japanese forces. After the war, he led Joint Task Force 1 during atomic weapons tests at Bikini Atoll in 1946. He served as Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet from 1947 to 1950, overseeing naval operations during the early years of the Cold War.[1]
The USS Blandy’s Construction
The USS Blandy was built by Bethlehem Steel Company, a major shipbuilder that was praised for its high level of warship production but later criticized for its extensive use of asbestos in vessel construction. The Blandy was laid down in December 1955, launched in December 1956, and commissioned in November 1957 at the Boston Naval Shipyard under the command of Commander William F. Cafferata.[1]
As a Forrest Sherman-class destroyer, the Blandy and her sister ships represented the Navy’s first destroyer design introduced after World War II. The ships reflected the lessons that were learned from shortcomings in previous ships. They measured 418 feet in length with a 45-foot beam and displaced 3,850 tons when fully loaded. The Blandy carried a complement of 323 officers and enlisted personnel and was capable of speeds up to 30 knots. Her armament included three 5-inch guns, four 3-inch guns, six torpedo tubes, and two hedgehog-type depth charge projectors.[2]
The propulsion system on Forrest Sherman-class destroyers relied on high-pressure steam boilers and turbines that needed significant insulation to manage the extreme heat they generated and to prevent fires. This insulation, along with hundreds of other shipboard materials, contained asbestos—a mineral that would later be recognized as a serious health hazard for the sailors who served aboard these vessels and the shipyard workers who built them.
USS Blandy Active Service
Early Years
Following her shakedown training at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in early 1958, the Blandy was deployed across the Atlantic, where she made port calls at Rotterdam, Göteborg, Copenhagen, Portsmouth, Casablanca, and Naples. During this inaugural voyage, she received the honor of transporting the remains of the Unknown Soldier of the European Theater back to the United States for interment at Arlington National Cemetery.[1]
Throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s, the Blandy was primarily assigned to anti-submarine warfare (ASW) roles. She was one of only two Atlantic Fleet destroyers to win the Battle Efficiency “E” award in 1960 and received the Navy League Trophy as the Atlantic Fleet’s most outstanding ASW ship in 1963.
The Cold War
As one of the first ships to implement President Kennedy’s naval quarantine of Cuba in October 1962, the Blandy played a significant role during the Cuban Missile Crisis. During these tense days, the Blandy was recognized for forcing a Soviet submarine to surface—a notable achievement during this critical Cold War confrontation.[1]
In 1963, the Blandy was part of the team investigating the loss of the nuclear submarine USS Thresher (SSN-593). She was also sent on extended deployments to the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean regions as part of international naval exercises.
The Vietnam Conflict
The Blandy’s most challenging service came during her two deployments to Vietnam. From April to October 1968, and again from October 1972 to January 1973, the ship provided naval gunfire support to Marine units operating near the Demilitarized Zone. During the first of these deployments, she fired over 27,000 rounds and was credited with eliminating an estimated 148 enemy combatants and taking down numerous hostile gun positions. Her performance earned her the Battle Efficiency “E” award and the prestigious Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy.[1]
Later Years
Like almost all the destroyers built immediately after the war, following her Vietnam service, Blandy underwent extensive modernization from 1969 to 1970. Her upgrade included advanced anti-submarine warfare systems, including new sonar equipment and an ASROC (Anti-Submarine Rocket) system. After these changes, she continued serving in various capacities, including operations during the Iranian Revolution in 1978-1979 and deployments to the Indian Ocean following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
With the Forrest Sherman-class destroyers being deemed obsolete with the advent of guided missile technology, the Blandy was decommissioned in November 1982. She remained on the Naval Vessel Register until July 1990, when she was stricken and eventually sold for scrapping.
Why Did the Navy Use Asbestos in Its Ships?
As was true of almost all warships built from the 1930s through the 1970s, the construction of the USS Blandy incorporated significant amounts of asbestos throughout the vessel. The ship was constructed in the mid-1950s, when the dangers of asbestos exposure had been communicated to manufacturers and distributors but were not yet known by the general public, service members, or the military administration.
In many cases, the critical information about the mineral’s health hazards was suppressed by the asbestos companies: With the military valuing asbestos for its characteristic strength and thermal insulation and seeing it as ideal for naval applications, companies kept quiet so they could continue earning big profits.
Where Was Asbestos Located on the USS Bundy?
While asbestos materials were integrated into virtually every area of the destroyer, the heaviest concentrations were found in spaces containing high-temperature equipment and steam-powered systems. The ship’s engineering spaces—including the engine rooms, boiler compartments, and machinery areas—contained extensive asbestos insulation around pipes, valves, turbines, and boilers, and the material was also used in gaskets, packing materials, and heat-resistant coatings.
Beyond the engineering spaces, asbestos was incorporated into deck tiles, wall panels, ceiling materials, and various adhesives used throughout the ship’s living and working spaces. Even safety equipment, including certain types of protective clothing and firefighting gear, contained asbestos fibers. The destroyer’s cramped quarters meant that asbestos-containing materials were present in virtually every compartment, from the forward berthing areas to the aft steering compartments.
How Were USS Blandy Sailors Exposed to Asbestos?
Each year, approximately 3,500 Americans receive a diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma, with Navy veteransrepresenting a disproportionately large percentage because of the pervasive use of asbestos on naval vessels constructed before 1980, including the USS Blandy. The confined nature of shipboard life meant that virtually all crew members faced some level of asbestos exposure during their service.
When asbestos is intact and contained, its presence poses no danger, but once parts containing it are disturbed, damaged, or begin to deteriorate, it becomes dangerous. Normal shipboard operations, routine maintenance, repairs, and constant vibration from the ship’s machinery all contributed to asbestos-containing materials breaking down and becoming what experts term “friable.”
When asbestos is friable, it releases microscopic fibers into the air. These fibers are so small that they’re often invisible to the naked eye, and because they’re so lightweight, they can remain airborne for hours and are easily inhaled by anyone in the vicinity.
The damage caused by asbestos particles begins when they become permanently embedded in the body’s cells. Both lung tissue and the mesothelial lining that keeps internal organs from sticking to one another are vulnerable to this type of penetration, and once the fibers are there, the body is unable to expel them. Though it often takes decades, the inflammation and mutations caused by these fibers can trigger serious health problems, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and malignant mesothelioma.
Who Onboard the Blandy Was at the Greatest Risk of Asbestos Exposure?
Certain crew members aboard the Blandy faced elevated risks due to their assigned duties and work locations. These included:
- Engineering personnel who worked in the poorly ventilated boiler and engine rooms, where asbestos insulation was used most extensively. These spaces were notoriously cramped and had limited air circulation, concentrating airborne fibers.
- Maintenance and repair specialists who directly handled asbestos-containing materials during routine upkeep, emergency repairs, and overhaul periods. This was particularly true during the ship’s modernization from 1969-1970, when extensive renovation work disturbed large quantities of asbestos materials.
- Damage control personnel who worked with firefighting equipment and emergency repair materials that contained asbestos faced regular exposure during training exercises and actual emergency responses.
Even crew members who neither worked directly with asbestos-containing materials nor were involved in high-risk activities were exposed as a result of asbestos fibers circulating through the ship’s ventilation systems, as well as from contact with those whose work in heavily exposed areas led to asbestos dust landing on their hair, skin, and clothing and being carried into living quarters.
Understanding the Risks of Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos exposure creates serious long-term health risks that may not begin to show symptoms for decades. The latency period for asbestos-related diseases typically ranges from 20 to 50 years, meaning that veterans who served on the USS Blandy during the 1960s, 1970s, and early 1980s may only now be developing symptoms of exposure-related illnesses.
The primary diseases associated with asbestos exposure include asbestosis, a chronic lung condition that causes scarring and breathing difficulties; lung cancer, which can develop even in non-smokers exposed to asbestos; and malignant mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. Mesothelioma is most clearly associated with asbestos exposure, with approximately 80% of cases linked to occupational or environmental contact with asbestos fibers.
The risk of developing any of these diseases increases with the duration and intensity of exposure, but even relatively brief contact with asbestos has the potential to lead to serious health problems, and risk is compounded for individuals who smoked, as the combination of asbestos exposure and tobacco usesignificantly increases the likelihood of developing lung cancer.
Why You Should Inform Your Healthcare Provider About Your Asbestos Exposure
If you’re a veteran who served aboard the USS Blandy, you should talk to your healthcare providers about your history of asbestos exposure, even if you currently feel healthy. This information is crucial for several reasons:
- Early detection saves lives. Doctors who are aware of a patient’s asbestos exposure history can monitor for early signs of relevant diseases and order appropriate screening tests. Early-stage detection of asbestos-related diseases often leads to better treatment outcomes and improved survival rates.
- Symptom awareness becomes critical. Your healthcare provider can educate you about specific warning signs to watch for, including persistent cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, unexplained weight loss, and abdominal swelling. Veterans who know what symptoms to report can seek prompt medical attention when necessary.
- Specialized care may be needed. Physicians who know to look for asbestos-related diseases are more likely to refer patients to specialists who have extensive experience treating these conditions. This expertise can make a significant difference in treatment planning and outcomes.
- Documentation supports benefits claims. Medical records that document your asbestos exposure history can be valuable evidence when filing disability claims with the Department of Veterans Affairsor pursuing legal action against responsible manufacturers.
Benefits and Compensation Available to Navy Veterans with Mesothelioma
Veterans who served aboard the USS Blandy and developed asbestos-related illnesses are entitled to support and compensation for the health problems they face as a result of their military service. The Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes malignant mesothelioma as a 100% disabling condition, which means that veterans who can demonstrate service-connected asbestos exposure may qualify for full disability benefits. These benefits include monthly compensation payments, comprehensive healthcare coverage through VA medical centers, and access to specialized treatment facilities nationwide that have experience treating asbestos-related diseases.
How an Asbestos Attorney Can Help
An experienced mesothelioma attorney can provide invaluable assistance to veterans facing asbestos-related diagnoses. These knowledgeable, compassionate professionals understand the complex issues surrounding military asbestos exposure and can help in multiple ways.
- They can guide you through the process of filing VA disability claims, ensuring that all your documentation is properly prepared and submitted. This help can be critical to securing the benefits and healthcare coverage that you and your family deserve.
- They can pursue legal claims against the companies that manufactured and supplied the military with the asbestos-containing materials you were exposed to. Law firms specializing in asbestos litigation maintain extensive databases of historical information about which companies supplied materials to specific ships and military installations. This information helps them identify all the potentially responsible parties so they can pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.
- Experienced asbestos attorneys can determine whether you are eligible to file for compensation from any of the companies that were required to establish trust funds as part of their bankruptcy proceedings. These accounts were set up specifically to benefit those diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases in the future after having been exposed to each company’s asbestos-containing materials. Though applying to these funds is not as adversarial as pursuing a personal injury lawsuit, the application process can still be complex, and an asbestos attorney can help you navigate the process.
- There are time limits known as statutes of limitations that apply to legal claims following an asbestos-related diagnosis. An asbestos attorney can determine and explain all applicable deadlines and help you understand your rights while protecting your legal rights.
A mesothelioma diagnosis represents a life-changing event that requires immediate attention to both medical treatment and legal rights. If you served aboard the USS Blandy and face these challenges, an experienced lawyer can help you get the compensation and benefits you earned through your service to our country.
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