The USS Fiske (DD-842) was a Gearing-class destroyer that served the U.S. Navy from the end of World War II until its final decommissioning in 1980. The vessel contained significant amounts of asbestos-containing materials, which exposed countless naval personnel who sailed on her to the toxic, carcinogenic material. Crew members who worked aboard the vessel, as well as shipyard workers who maintained her and performed upgrades, now face an elevated risk for developing mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and other severe illnesses.
About the USS Fiske and the Gearing-class Destroyers
The USS Fiske was one of the final vessels built for the highly successful Gearing-class destroyer program. This ship classification was the culmination of continuous design refinements and improvements made throughout the Second World War. Drawing heavily from the preceding Allen M. Sumner-class blueprint, the Gearing design featured a distinctive 14-foot hull extension midship that dramatically increased its operational range through enhanced fuel capacity. The ships also reflected new thinking on internal layout.[1]
Initial Navy plans called for 152 vessels in this class to be produced, but the end of the war and changing strategic needs meant that only 98 were built. Fortunately, the Gearing design was so flexible that substantial modifications could be made to it, so most of the Gearing-class vessels completed by the end of the war were used for decades after their initial projected use, as anti-submarine and radar picket conversions were performed.
The Fiske and her sister destroyers stretched 390 feet 6 inches overall with a 40-foot 10-inch beam. Her full-load displacement totaled 2,425 tons, accommodating a crew complement of 345 officers and enlisted sailors. The ship’s propulsion plant achieved maximum speeds of 34.5 knots, powered by four Babcock and Wilcox boilers supplying steam to twin General Electric turbines—machinery components heavily insulated with asbestos-containing materials. Her original armament configuration included six 5-inch naval guns, sixteen 40mm anti-aircraft weapons, five 21-inch torpedo tubes, and comprehensive depth charge systems. During her later FRAM modernization program, she received upgraded armaments and advanced electronic systems.
The Ship’s Heritage
The USS Fiske was named for a distinguished naval officer, Admiral Bradley Allen Fiske. Fiske was a pioneering naval inventor and strategic theorist who had a significant influence on early 20th-century naval development. His many contributions to naval aviation, gunnery systems, and fleet organization led to him being recognized as one of the Navy’s most innovative leaders.[2]
Construction Background and Operational History
The Fiske’s construction commenced in 1945, during the final phases of World War II. She was laid down in April 1945 at the Bath Iron Works, with her commissioning occurring in November, just after Pacific hostilities had concluded. Following standard procedures, the destroyer completed shakedown training before being assigned to work as part of the active fleet.
Cold War Atlantic and Mediterranean Operations (1960-1963)
Throughout the early 1960s, the Fiske maintained an intense schedule working across the Atlantic and Mediterranean theaters. Severe weather conditions off Cape Hatteras resulted in equipment damage and material losses that required later repairs. In 1961, the ship conducted a historically significant port call in Tripoli, Libya, which was the first American naval presence in the area in several years. In July 1961, she returned to the East Coast for local training operations, and in early 1962, she was deployed to Charleston, South Carolina, for a comprehensive yard overhaul, including dry-dock inspection. During this overhaul period, inadequate chocking caused the ship to settle on her sonar dome, which extended the repair period by almost one month.
Cuban Crisis Operations (1962-1963)
After her overhaul was completed, the Fiske returned to her homeport of Mayport, then joined the Caribbean Patrol operations established following the Bay of Pigs invasion. The crew earned the Navy Expeditionary Medal for these 1962 patrol duties. In October 1962, the Fiske deployed toward Cuba along with many other vessels during the Cuban Missile Crisis. She was part of Task Force 135, which centered around USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), with assigned missions for potential counter-strikes. The classified mission protecting the Enterprise’s tactical nuclear weapons earned the Fiske’s crew the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.[3]
In February 1963, the Fiske began another Mediterranean deployment featuring visits to Cannes, France; Piraeus and Rhodes, Greece; Palermo, Sicily; Naples and Taranto, Italy. During this cruise, the destroyer received detachment orders to transit the Suez Canal for Horn of Africa patrol operations. She participated in anti-gunrunning missions throughout the Red Sea alongside HMS Ashanti, a Royal Navy Tribal Class Frigate, then completed a three-day port visit to Aden before returning to Mayport in July.
FRAM Modernization and Recommissioning (1964-1965)
In early 1964, the Fiske was sent to the New York Naval Shipyard for decommissioning and Fleet Rehabilitation & Modernization (FRAM) conversion. Her homeport designation changed to New York as the vessel underwent comprehensive modifications, including the removal of the after mast, aft deckhouse, and gun mount installations. New equipment installations included an ASW DASH helicopter hangar, ASROC launcher, upgraded electronic systems, and torpedo launchers.[1]
After refresher training at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the Fiske was assigned to anti-submarine warfare operations. In 1965, she conducted patrol operations in Santo Domingo harbor throughout the Dominican Republic crisis.
Vietnam War Operations (1966-1967)
In January 1966, the Fiske was sent for her second around-the-world deployment. She transited through the Panama Canal to San Diego and Pearl Harbor, crossing the International Dateline and arriving at Subic Bay Naval Station in late February. Her initial Vietnam War patrol began in March. The destroyer served as plane guard for the carriers USS Ranger (CVA-61), Enterprise (CVAN-65), and Hancock (CVA-19), while simultaneously conducting search and rescue operations throughout the Tonkin Gulf.
In April, the Fiske came under direct fire from North Vietnamese coastal battery positions but avoided both damage and casualties. The vessel also weathered two typhoons during this deployment period. A port call to Hong Kong in June was followed by another war patrol that included shore bombardment support missions. The ship left the combat zone and visited Kaoshiung, Taiwan, before heading west.
Homeward Visit and Continued Mediterranean Service (1967-1969)
After crossing the Equator in July, the Fiske made stops at Penang, Malaysia; Cochin, India; and transited the Suez Canal before visiting Piraeus, Greece; Barcelona, Spain; and Gibraltar. She arrived in Newport, Rhode Island, in August, where she participated in LANTFLEX 66 exercises. The Fiske then deployed to the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean in May 1967, transiting the Suez Canal right before the Arab-Israeli War forced it to close. The destroyer conducted multiple sea rescue operations in various Mediterranean ports, then received orders to escort the severely damaged USS Forrestal home from the combat zone.
Atlantic Fleet Operations and Final Service (1969-1980)
After her September 1967 return to Newport, the Fiske conducted local operations throughout 1968, including refresher training at Guantanamo Bay and a Mediterranean deployment in September 1968. The remainder of 1969 involved continued local operations. May 1970 brought a deployment with Destroyer Squadron 12 on a five-month Northern European assignment, where she participated in NATO exercises and anti-submarine warfare operations before her October return. The 1970-1971 period featured Atlantic Fleet operations with exercises and port visits ranging from the Caribbean to Nova Scotia.
Between March and September 1972, the vessel underwent a routine overhaul at Boston Naval Shipyard, followed by Caribbean cruise operations.
In January 1973, the Fiske deployed to Middle East and Indian Ocean operations, with Atlantic port calls in Guantanamo Bay, Trinidad, Recife, Brazil, and Luanda, Angola. After crossing the Equator and rounding the Cape of Good Hope, the ship operated extensively throughout the Indian Ocean with stops in Mozambique, Mauritius, Madagascar, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Arabian Gulf ports including Bahrain and Karachi, Pakistan.
The USS Fiske returned to Newport in July 1973 and later that month, transferred to Reserve Force status at Bayonne, New Jersey. In 1974, she was briefly reactivated for a six-month Mediterranean deployment, then returned to reserve status.
Final Decommissioning and Transfer
In June 1980, the USS Fiske was permanently decommissioned and transferred to the Turkish Navy. Over the course of her operational service, the Fiske earned multiple decorations, including the Navy Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and National Defense Medal.
The Navy’s Dependence on Asbestos
The United States Navy made systematic use of asbestos materials from the early 1900s through the mid-1970s. This use peaked during World War II and the subsequent Cold War decades, and did not stop until the military became aware of its toxicity.
While all military services valued asbestos for its exceptional fire-resistance, thermal insulation, and resistance to corrosion, the Navy considered it absolutely essential for protecting and maintaining combat vessels operating under hostile conditions complicated by the maritime environment. Additionally, the mineral’s flexible structure made it easy to use it in countless applications, from piping insulation to gasket materials and braking components.
The USS Fiske was initially constructed and later modernized during the peak years of naval asbestos use. Navy specifications mandated asbestos use in hundreds of applications in its destroyers, cruisers, aircraft carriers, and submarines. Though the companies that supplied asbestos-containing materials had been aware of its associated health hazards for decades, they kept this information from the public and the military. As a result, the Navy’s comprehensive utilization continued well into the 1970s, and countless soldiers, sailors, and other military personnel were put at risk of deadly diseases.
The critical turning point came during the mid-1970s, when the accumulating scientific evidence that established the connection between asbestos exposure, cancer, and serious respiratory diseases became public. By 1973, the Navy had implemented restrictions on the toxic mineral’s use in new construction and major overhauls, and by 1975, the service had substantially eliminated asbestos from new installations, though existing materials remained throughout thousands of vessels.[4]
Managing the legacy asbestos that had already been installed throughout the Navy’s fleet presented enormous logistical challenges. The Navy developed comprehensive asbestos management programs, including detailed material surveys, personnel training for those who might encounter asbestos during maintenance operations, and strict handling and disposal procedures. Tragically, the military decided that complete asbestos removal was impractical because the materials were so thoroughly integrated into its ships and their systems. Though the Navy emphasized containment, encapsulation, and careful management of contaminated materials, their decision against a fleet-wide action undoubtedly left many crewmen and shipyard workers exposed.
Where Was Asbestos Found on the USS Fiske?
Asbestos-containing materials could be found in virtually every compartment and shipboard system of the Fiske. Its widespread distribution was typical of the period, as the Navy specified that asbestos-containing products be used wherever heat resistance, fire protection, or insulation was necessary. Consequently, the mineral permeated the vessel’s environment.
The ship’s machinery spaces harbored the greatest concentrations of asbestos materials. Boiler rooms, engine compartments, and auxiliary machinery spaces featured asbestos insulation lining to protect both equipment and personnel from extreme temperatures. Steam piping, exhaust systems, and turbine housings were wrapped with asbestos-containing insulation and blankets. Heat exchangers, condensers, and other vital components utilized asbestos gaskets and packing materials to prevent leaks and maintain system integrity.
Throughout the ship’s living and working compartments, asbestos appeared in floor tiles, wall panels, ceiling materials, and paint formulations. Electrical systems depended on asbestos-containing wire insulation and junction box materials. The ship’s damage control equipment, including firefighting suits, blankets, and hoses, incorporated asbestos fibers for protection against extreme temperatures and flames.
Ventilation systems circulated asbestos-containing materials throughout the vessel via ductwork insulation and filter materials. Even standard maintenance supplies and consumables, including gaskets, valve packing, and joint compounds, contained substantial asbestos content. The ship’s weapons systems, including gun mounts and ammunition handling equipment, relied on asbestos-containing materials for thermal protection and fire resistance.
Personnel at Risk of Asbestos Exposure Aboard the USS Fiske
Every sailor who served aboard the USS Fiske faced potential asbestos exposure due to the pervasive presence of asbestos-containing materials. The ship’s confined spaces and mechanical ventilation systems circulated microscopic asbestos fibers throughout multiple compartments whenever the material’s fibers became airborne, whether through maintenance activities, equipment vibration, or routine operations.
Though it was nearly unavoidable for anybody on board to avoid asbestos, specific crew members faced dramatically higher exposure risks due to their assignments and work environments. These included:
- Engineering personnel
- Boiler technicians
- Machinists’ mates
- Enginemen
- Damage control personnel
- Firefighters
- Shipyard personnel
- Maintenance crews
Even crew members not directly involved in handling or working near asbestos faced exposure risks through contaminated clothing, shared ventilation systems, and the general presence of asbestos materials in living and working spaces. The ship’s close quarters meant that asbestos fibers disturbed in one area could migrate throughout the vessel, potentially affecting all personnel aboard.
Legal Options for USS Fiske Veterans Diagnosed with Mesothelioma
Veterans who served aboard the USS Fiske and who’ve been diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses have multiple avenues for both compensation and cutting-edge medical care, as legal precedent and the government’s recognition of asbestos aboard Navy ships have established a pathway for both resources for affected veterans.
VA Claims
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides comprehensive benefits for veterans with service-connected asbestos-related diseases. Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis can file claims for disability compensation, specialized medical treatment, and additional benefits for their families. The VA recognizes mesothelioma as a presumptive service-connected condition for veterans who served on ships containing asbestos, which streamlines the process for affected individuals.
Personal Injury Lawsuits
Beyond VA benefits, veterans can pursue legal action against manufacturers and suppliers of the asbestos-containing products used aboard their vessels. Successful litigation can result in substantial settlements or jury awards to compensate for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Thousands of cases have been successfully resolved against companies that produced boiler insulation, gaskets, valves, and other asbestos-containing materials found aboard destroyers like the USS Fiske.
Asbestos Trust Funds
Asbestos trust funds are another important source of compensation for affected veterans. Many companies that manufactured asbestos products were required to establish these funds during bankruptcy proceedings. Created specifically to compensate victims of asbestos-related diseases, asbestos trusts have paid billions of dollars in claims already and are currently managing approximately $30 billion for future claims. They provide an attractive alternative to lengthy, adversarial litigation processes.
Call an Asbestos Attorney for Help
Veterans diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases should consult with an experienced asbestos attorney who specializes in military and occupational asbestos exposure cases. These legal professionals understand the unique challenges of documenting naval service exposure and can help identify all potentially responsible parties and available compensation sources. They can also assist with VA claims procedures and coordinate legal strategies to maximize recovery while minimizing the burden on affected veterans and their families.
Time limitations apply to many legal claims, making it important for diagnosed veterans to seek legal counsel promptly. Scheduling an appointment shortly after diagnosis will allow your attorney to begin gathering service records, medical documentation, and other evidence necessary to build strong cases for compensation. With proper legal representation, veterans who served aboard the USS Fiske can pursue substantial benefits and compensation for their service-connected asbestos-related illnesses.
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