The USS Eversole (DD-789) was built when asbestos was considered integral to naval vessels’ systems, structures, and supplies. The widespread use of the material later identified as being carcinogenic resulted in thousands of former crew members developing pleural mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other serious respiratory conditions. Many veterans have died from these diseases, while countless others remain at risk for developing symptoms despite their service having been decades earlier.
About the USS Eversole
The USS Eversole was a Gearing-class destroyer that served the U.S. Navy from 1946 to 1973. Over her 27 years of service, the ship participated in the Korean War, conducted Taiwan Patrol duties, and supported combat operations during the Vietnam conflict. When not deployed to international waters, the Eversole engaged in training exercises along the west coast of the United States and the waters of Hawaii.[1]
The ship displaced 2,425 tons and measured 390 feet 6 inches in length, with a 40-foot 11-inch beam and 18-foot 6-inch draft. Her advanced propulsion systems were powered by Babcock and Wilcox boilers and General Electric turbines and delivered 35-knot speeds. This gave Eversole the rapid response capabilities crucial for her assigned missions. Her armament consisted of six 5-inch guns, ten 21-inch torpedo tubes, six depth charge projectors, and two depth charge tracks. She accommodated 336 officers and enlisted men, and throughout her service life, the ship carried thousands of naval service members.[2] These same personnel would later face health risks as a result of their asbestos exposure.
About the Gearing Class Destroyers
Gearing-class destroyers like the USS Eversole represented the final version of destroyers built for use in World War II. The ships’ design was built upon lessons from the Fletcher and Allen M. Sumner classes. Though commissioned in 1946 after the conclusion of World War II, the USS Eversole and the other 97 Gearing-class destroyers built in the mid-1940s served the Navy for decades before being decommissioned, and many of these vessels are continuing to provide service in allied navies.
The Gearing destroyers maintained the dual-purpose 5-inch guns and improved anti-aircraft capabilities of their Allen M. Sumner and Fletcher classes, but a significant design modification made a big change in the ships’ capabilities. A 14-foot hull extension increased both fuel capacity and operational range, addressing a critical shortcoming in earlier designs and allowing this new class of destroyers to accompany fast carrier task forces on extended deployments without frequent refueling.[2]
Originally designed for anti-air and surface warfare, the Gearing-class went through several post-World War II modifications to adapt to evolving threats. The Cold War era and the growing Soviet submarine threat necessitated enhanced anti-submarine warfare capabilities, so many of the ships underwent significant upgrades through the Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) program instituted during the 1950s and 1960s. These modernizations replaced outdated weapons systems with advanced sonar and radar suites, while also improving crew accommodations.
Construction and Service History of the USS Eversole
The Todd-Pacific Shipyards in Seattle, Washington, constructed the USS Eversole. The vessel was among the final three ships constructed there before its closure.[3] The ship was launched on January 8, 1946, and named for Lieutenant (Junior Grade) John Thomas Eversole, who was killed during the Battle of Midway as part of Torpedo Squadron 6 from the USS Enterprise. His mother, Mrs. S.R. Eversole, was the vessel’s sponsor during the ship’s christening ceremonies.[1]
Following commissioning on May 10, 1946, under Commander B.P. Ross, the USS Eversole conducted initial operations from her homeport in San Diego. Before the start of the Korean War, she completed two deployments with the 7th Fleet, patrolling waters off the coasts of China and Japan. This positioning was fortunate, as it meant the destroyer was already in the Western Pacific when hostilities erupted in Korea. This allowed her to participate in combat operations almost immediately.
Her first Korean War deployment lasted until February 1951, when the Eversole screened fast carrier task forces conducting air strikes against North Korean targets. Her second combat tour was from August 1951 to April 1952, and saw her involved in coastal bombardment operations at Hungnam and Wonsan, as well as service in the multinational Blockading and Escort Force along with vessels from Great Britain, Canada, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea. A third Korean War deployment followed and lasted from November 1952 to June 1953.[1]
Between 1954 and 1962, the USS Eversole was assigned to deploy to the Far East annually. The ship conducted Taiwan Patrol operations and participated in exercises near Japan, Okinawa, and the Philippines. In both 1957 and 1958, she traveled via Australia during her western deployments, and between overseas assignments, the destroyer conducted training operations along the West Coast and occasionally visited Hawaiian ports.
In October 1969, the Eversole was deployed from Long Beach Naval Station to support operations in Vietnam. She conducted plane guard duties for 7th Fleet carriers and provided naval gunfire support for ground forces. Between combat missions, she used Subic Bay Naval Station in the Philippines as her overseas homeport and made additional trips to Sasebo, Japan, and Hong Kong for maintenance and crew rest. The USS Eversole earned seven battle stars for her Korean War service before being transferred to Turkey on July 11, 1973.[3]
How Was Asbestos Used on the USS Eversole?
Between the 1930s and 1970s, Naval standards mandated extensive asbestos use, and the USS Eversole was no exception. From her commissioning through her various subsequent modernizations and upgrades, asbestos-containing materials were used throughout the vessel’s structure and systems and were components of the ship’s supplies. The Navy specified that asbestos be used in hundreds of shipboard applications because of its exceptional thermal insulation properties, fire resistance, chemical resistance, and strength.[4] The lightweight, inexpensive material seemed like the perfect choice for protecting both military assets and personnel, but the authorities making these decisions were unaware of the health risks posed by asbestos exposure. Though the manufacturers that fulfilled their orders had known that asbestos was carcinogenic for years, they kept the information quiet to continue making profits. This decision led to countless deaths among Navy veterans and in the civilian population as well.
Asbestos was incorporated throughout virtually every compartment of the USS Eversole, with particularly heavy concentrations in the ship’s heat-generating areas, including:
- Power Generation Systems: Engineering spaces contained asbestos insulation that protected boilers, turbines, pumps, condensers, and other high-temperature propulsion equipment.
- Emergency Equipment: Fire-protective clothing, gloves, blankets, and firefighting gear incorporated asbestos fibers for their heat-resistant properties.
- Piping Systems: The comprehensive network of steam pipes, exhaust ducting, and utility conduits throughout the vessel relied on asbestos insulation to maintain temperature control and prevent crew injuries.
- Infrastructure Components: Asbestos was hidden within numerous ship systems, including gaskets, brake linings, valve packing, electrical panels, insulation boards, deck tiles, and ceiling materials.
Who Was Affected by Asbestos on the USS Eversole?
When USS Eversole crew members served, they likely considered enemy fire the greatest danger they faced, but decades after those battles, more naval personnel suffered from asbestos exposure than from combat injuries. Asbestos broke down into tiny fibers that became airborne during maintenance activities, combat damage repairs, or when normal wear and tear disturbed contaminated materials, and the crew experienced asbestos exposure routinely, as the toxic mineral’s microscopic particles circulated through the ship, carried on workers’ hair, skin, and clothing, and distributed through the ship’s ventilation systems from high-concentration areas.
When looked at under a microscope, asbestos fibers have needle-like ends. As a result, once they enter the body through inhalation or ingestion, they easily become embedded in the cells that line the cavities that hold the lungs and abdominal organs. Once there, they can trigger progressive inflammatory responses, eventually leading to cell death, damage, and potential genetic mutations. Though they can have deadly outcomes, these processes almost always remain hidden for decades before suddenly manifesting the symptoms that signal these serious health conditions. It is common for asbestos-related diseases to appear between 20 and 50 years after exposure, leaving patients suddenly diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer, and other severe respiratory disorders.
Although all personnel aboard the USS Eversole faced some exposure risk, certain job responsibilities carried greater dangers. Staff, maintenance crews, and damage control teams experienced concentrated exposures, particularly when working in inadequately ventilated spaces containing deteriorating asbestos materials. Others at risk of shipboard exposure to asbestos included:
- Boiler Operations – These crew members were responsible for the functioning and upkeep of high-pressure boiler units that were extensively coated with asbestos-laden insulation. Making matters worse, the areas where they worked were cramped and poorly ventilated, and boiler workers typically wore gear that contained asbestos.
- Pipe Maintenance – These crew members serviced the ship’s pipeline systems, most of which were wrapped in asbestos-based insulation. Exposure risk was at its highest during repairs, as fixing corroded or leaking pipes generally involved stripping away degraded insulation, releasing asbestos dust.
- Engine Room – These operators worked deep within the ship’s propulsion spaces, surrounded by machinery that was insulated with asbestos materials. These systems vibrated constantly, causing insulation to deteriorate and contaminate the air, even during routine duties.
- Mechanics – These crewmembers were responsible for servicing and overhauling a range of onboard systems, including ventilation units, compressors, and electrical generators that frequently contained asbestos in seals, gaskets, and insulation. Routine maintenance tasks regularly disturbed these elements, sending asbestos fibers into the air where they could be inhaled or ingested.
- Electricians – These crewmembers were tasked with the installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical systems throughout the vessel. Much of the ship’s wiring, breaker panels, and control units were coated with asbestos-based materials, exposing electricians during both routine checks and emergency repairs.
- Construction and Overhaul Workers – The shipyard workers who built and refurbished the USS Eversole experienced some of the heaviest asbestos exposure as their duties required cutting, fitting, and installing asbestos-containing components throughout the ship, and usually without respiratory protection. This population included both military personnel and civilians.
Help for USS Eversole Crew Members Diagnosed with Mesothelioma
Former crew members of the USS Eversole, as well as shipyard personnel involved in her construction, modernization, and repairs, may have experienced significant asbestos exposure during their service that could lead to mesothelioma and other serious health conditions. Veterans who’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma and who can prove the connection between their illness and their service qualify for special disability compensation at a 100% disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Though navigating the VA claims process can be a challenge, the result is worthwhile, as it also provides specialized medical treatment at either VA healthcare facilities or authorized civilian treatment centers with specific expertise in managing asbestos-related diseases.
Beyond the VA’s programs, Navy veterans sickened by asbestos on the USS Eversole may be eligible to pursue compensation from the companies responsible for manufacturing and distributing asbestos products throughout the Navy’s supply chain. Over the years, successful legal action against these firms has resulted in substantial financial settlements and jury awards. Additionally, many manufacturers whose asbestos liabilities forced them into bankruptcy were required to establish trust funds specifically designated to compensate exposure victims.
If you served aboard the USS Eversole and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, contact an experienced asbestos attorney as soon as possible. These knowledgeable professionals can provide invaluable information and guidance, studying your service and occupational history to identify when you were exposed and which manufacturers’ and distributors’ asbestos-containing products you encountered. They can also help with the complex VA benefits process to ensure you receive every benefit you’re entitled to for your service-related health conditions.
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