The USS Daniel Boone (SSBN-629) was a James Madison-class submarine essential to America’s nuclear deterrent strategy during the Cold War. Operating from 1964 to 1994 as part of the Navy’s “41 for Freedom” ballistic missile submarine program, she was the first fleet ballistic missile submarine to become operational with the Pacific Fleet. Despite all technical innovations, the USS Daniel Boone was built using asbestos, putting those who built her and those who sailed on her at risk of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
The James Madison-Class Submarines
The USS Daniel Boone belonged to the James Madison class of nuclear-powered fleet ballistic missile submarines, which represented a significant evolution in submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) technology. A near-repeat of the Lafayette class, the James Madison class incorporated important modifications that accommodated future missile upgrades and extended its operational capabilities.[1]
The key innovation reflected in the James Madison class was its missile compartment, which had larger and more refined ballistic missile tubes capable of accommodating bigger, more advanced missiles as they became available. This forward-thinking approach allowed the class to easily transition from being armed with Polaris A-3 missiles to the more capable Poseidon C-3 and eventually to the Trident I system.
James Madison-class submarines like the USS Daniel Boone measured 425 feet in length with a 33-foot beam and displaced approximately 7,250 tons surfaced and 8,250 tons submerged. They featured a sophisticated hovering system that allowed the submarines to fire up to four missiles per minute while maintaining optimal positioning. Propulsion was provided by an S5W pressurized water reactor manufactured by Westinghouse, which drove geared steam turbines rated at 15,000 shaft horsepower. The vessel was able to achieve surface speeds of 16-20 knots and submerged speeds of 22-25 knots, with a test depth of 1,300 feet. The ship carried a complement of 13 officers and 130 enlisted men, in two crews to minimize port time and maximize the time at sea.
The James Madison class submarines’ armament consisted of 16 vertical ballistic missile tubes and four 21-inch torpedo tubes forward tubes which could accommodate various missile types throughout the submarine’s service life, while the torpedo tubes could launch Mk-48 torpedoes, Mk-14/16 torpedoes, Mk-37 torpedoes, and Mk-45 nuclear torpedoes.[1]
About the USS Daniel Boone (SSBN-629)
The third James Madison-class submarine built, the vessel was the only ship whose name honored the legendary American pioneer and explorer, Daniel Boone, who established the primary route for the first permanent colonial settlements in Kentucky.[2]
Construction and Early Service
Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California, laid down the USS Daniel Boone in February 1962. The submarine was launched in June 1963, with Mrs. James H. Wakelin Jr., wife of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research and Development, serving as sponsor. The vessel was commissioned in April 1964, under the dual command of Commander George P. Steele (Blue Crew) and Commander Alan B. Crabtree (Gold Crew).[2]
After commissioning, the submarine embarked on an extensive shakedown cruise and evaluation that took the submarine to locations including Washington, Pearl Harbor, and through the Panama Canal to Cape Kennedy, Florida. The submarine successfully conducted UGM-27 Polaris missile test firings in July, demonstrating her operational readiness.
As the first ballistic missile submarine assigned to the Pacific Fleet, the Daniel Boone arrived at Submarine Base Pearl Harbor in November 1964, then proceeded to Naval Base Guam in the Marianas Islands, where she moored alongside submarine tender Proteus (AS-19) and completed the first Polaris ballistic missile loadout from a tender in early December.
Operational History and Strategic Deterrent Patrols
The Daniel Boone’s operational career began on Christmas Day 1964, when her Blue Crew departed Guam on the submarine’s first deterrent patrol. The submarine’s alternating Blue and Gold crew rotations saw each crew conducting approximately 70-day patrols followed by maintenance and training periods, with the Gold Crew completing their first patrol in April 1965. The submarine received her first Navy Unit Commendation for “exceptionally meritorious service” during the completion of 14 deterrent patrols from December 1964 to February 1968.
First Overhaul and Poseidon Conversion
After completing 19 deterrent patrols and accumulating over 1,000 days submerged in the Pacific Ocean, the Daniel Boone returned to Pearl Harbor in March 1969 before transiting the Panama Canal to Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company in Virginia for the submarine’s first major overhaul and refueling, including conversion to carry the more advanced UGM-73 Poseidon ballistic missiles.
The submarine’s overhaul period was extended when high-speed trials led to a collision with the merchant vessel M/V Philippine President Quezon in May 1970. The incident, later determined by the U.S. Court of Appeals to be the USS Daniel Boone’s fault, required additional repairs that kept the submarine in the shipyard for another four months.
The submarine returned to sea in late August 1970 and proceeded to Cape Kennedy for post-overhaul Demonstration and Shakedown Operations, including submerged launches of Poseidon Production Evaluation Missiles in September. These trials confirmed the submarine’s upgraded capabilities and cleared her for operational deployment with the new missile system.
Atlantic Operations and Poseidon Service
Following her conversion, the USS Daniel Boone transferred to the Atlantic Fleet, with Charleston, South Carolina, serving as her new homeport. She crossed the Atlantic and commenced her next deterrent patrol from Holy Loch, Scotland, in April 1971. The vessel continued her strategic deterrent mission throughout the 1970s, then underwent a second overhaul and comprehensive refurbishment at Portsmouth Naval Shipyardin March 1976.
Trident I Conversion and Final Service
After her second overhaul, the vessel demonstrated her continued capabilities with a Poseidon missile launch in May 1979. She returned to operational status with her first post-overhaul deterrent patrol in October 1978. In May 1980, the submarine was modified to carry the advanced UGM-96 Trident I ballistic missile system and returned to patrol duty in September.
In April 1984, the submarine combined her Blue and Gold crews for her 57th deterrent patrol, demonstrating the submarine’s operational flexibility. After another major overhaul and refueling in 1985, the vessel ran aground in the James River in April 1987, requiring additional shipyard time. In August of that year, the Blue Crew successfully launched a Trident I missile off Cape Canaveral, and in March 1990, they launched four Trident I missiles during testing operations.
Final Years and Recognition
Near the end of her service life, in 1992, the USS Daniel Boone received multiple prestigious awards, including Submarine Squadron Sixteen’s Battle Efficiency Award, the United States Navy League Ballistic Submarine Outstanding Performance Award. The submarine was also the first Navy unit awarded the Omaha Trophy, an annual award presented by U.S. Strategic Command and the Strategic Command Consultation Committee to recognize the best military units supporting their strategic deterrence mission.
After the USS Daniel Boone served for 30 years and completed 75 strategic deterrent patrols, the Navy placed her in reserve in July 1993. The submarine was decommissioned and struck from the Naval Vessel register in February 1994 and disposed of through the Ship and Submarine Recycling Program in November 1994.
The Use of Asbestos on the USS Daniel Boone
As was the case with virtually all naval submarines built in the mid-20th century, the outfitting of the USS Daniel Boone included significant amounts of asbestos-based materials. With the Navy’s knowledge of the mineral’s toxicity decades in the future and military regulations that prioritized fireproofing and heat resistance, asbestos was a natural solution. The toxic material was used in nearly every system and compartment of the vessel, including:
Heat-Intensive and Mechanical Zones
Areas that generated or transferred heat, such as the propulsion system, reactor chambers, engine rooms, and auxiliary machinery spaces, were packed with asbestos insulation. Pipes that carried steam, engine components, and exhaust assemblies were commonly either coated or wrapped with asbestos to prevent heat damage and burns, and flexible thermal blankets were always near at hand for the same reason. Additionally, vital equipment components subjected to heavy use and friction, including valves and gaskets, relied on asbestos seals to avoid mechanical failure.
Living Areas, Electrical Systems, and Emergency Gear
Crew living quarters and bunks, dining areas, and workstations all contained asbestos in floor tiles, wall panels, and ceiling boards. The wiring that electrified the submarine ran through asbestos-insulated cables, and even the electrical control panels contained asbestos-containing components. Firefighting systems and emergency response gear were manufactured using asbestos for added fire resistance.
Air Circulation Systems
The submarine’s ventilation infrastructure, essential for recycling air in the sealed, enclosed environment, also posed a risk. These systems could easily circulate asbestos particles released during repairs or from deteriorating insulation. Even common adhesives, repair supplies, and weapon systems were known to contain asbestos—especially in areas that required thermal protection, such as the missile bays.
Asbestos Exposure Risks to USS Daniel Boone Crew Members
Anyone who worked aboard the USS Benjamin Franklin—whether sailors sent on deterrant patrols or the crews that performed maintenance, repairs, and overhauls — faced a high risk of inhaling asbestos fibers. The vessel’s cramped quarters and shared air systems meant that anything that disturbed asbestos-containing materials had the potential for spreading microscopic particles throughout the submarine.
While all personnel onboard the vessel were vulnerable to exposure, some roles carried greater risk due to frequent, direct contact with asbestos-contaminated systems.
These included:
- Reactor and engine room operators
- Electricians and electronics technicians
- Missile system handlers
- Workers who removed or replaced insulation
- Ordnance and weapon specialists
Still, despite the elevated risk that accompanied these work responsibilities, even personnel who didn’t handle asbestos could be exposed through contaminated air, surfaces, or the clothing worn by their fellow crew members.
Understanding the Dangers of Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral that is extremely fibrous. While this characteristic is what makes it both flexible and strong, it is also subject to breakage. When disturbed, manipulated, or simply worn down from use or age, asbestos releases fine, invisible particles into the air where they can be inhaled or swallowed. Their needle-like ends then become embedded in the tissues and cells and, over time, cause inflammation, mutations, and in many cases, fatal disease.
Mesothelioma is the most aggressive illness that’s been tied to asbestos. This rare cancer develops in the lining around the lungs, abdomen, or heart, often decades after exposure. Symptoms include chest tightness, fluid buildup, shortness of breath, and pain. Life expectancy is typically less than two years after diagnosis.
Other serious asbestos-related illnesses include:
- Asbestos-related lung cancer, the risk of which is often exacerbated by smoking
- Asbestosis, a progressive and debilitating scarring of lung tissue
- Pleural conditions like plaques, effusions, and thickening, which restrict breathing and often signal future malignancies
What Options Exist for Affected Veterans of the USS Daniel Boone?
Many Navy veterans who served on submarines like the USS Daniel Boone have been diagnosed with these life-changing illnesses. Fortunately, several avenues of financial and medical support are available, including:
Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes asbestos-related illnesses as being service-connected for veterans who were exposed while in the military. Those diagnosed with mesothelioma or related conditions can file claims for monthly disability payments, specialized healthcare, and family benefits. The VA considers mesothelioma a 100% disabling condition. This classification means that claims will be expedited and maximizes payouts.
Legal Claims Against Manufacturers
Veterans exposed to asbestos while serving on board the USS Daniel Boone aren’t able to sue the Navy, but they can file legal claims against the companies that manufactured or supplied the various asbestos products that were used aboard the vessel. A significant amount of evidence has been uncovered over the years, revealing that many of these companies were aware of the dangers of asbestos as they sold the equipment to the military and shipbuilders, but chose not to share the information in order to continue earning profits.
Affected veterans have successfully obtained both justice and compensation from these companies, as their personal injury lawsuits have led juries to find them liable for failing to warn about the dangers and ordered them to pay millions to their victims to cover healthcare costs, lost income, and pain and suffering. Successful claims also often result in substantial settlements.
Asbestos Trust Funds
Facing thousands of claims and mounting liabilities, many asbestos manufacturers declared bankruptcy and were required to set up trust funds to compensate victims. These trusts have already paid out billions for the last few decades and still have over $30 billion in funds available today. Though trust fund payouts tend to be lower than lawsuit settlements or jury verdicts, they offer a quicker, less adversarial alternative.
Legal Help for USS Daniel Boone Veterans with Mesothelioma
Veterans and others facing a diagnosis of mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related disease will get tremendous benefit from reaching out to a knowledgeable and experienced asbestos attorney. These lawyers have spent years assisting asbestos exposure victims. They understand the complexities of filing VA claims and establishing a link between military service and their illness, identifying all parties responsible based on your service and work history, and securing financial compensation.
Time limits known as statutes of limitations apply to legal claims; they establish how much time can go by between being diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease and filing a personal injury lawsuit. This means that acting quickly is essential. With guidance from a mesothelioma lawyer, veterans diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease can hold negligent companies accountable and obtain the resources they need for treatment and peace of mind.
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