The USS Peterson (DD-969) served as the seventh destroyer of the Spruance-class that significantly advanced America’s naval warfare capabilities. Over 25 years of service, the ship participated in Cold War surveillance operations, Middle East conflicts, NATO exercises, and counter-terrorism missions following 9/11. Despite her modern design, the Peterson’s construction and subsequent modifications still incorporated the same asbestos-containing materials as had been used to build previous Navy vessels. Exposure to this mineral has led to thousands of Navy veterans being diagnosed with disabling and fatal diseases, including malignant mesothelioma, and those who served or worked on the Peterson are still at risk today.
About the USS Peterson
The Ship’s Namesake
The name of the USS Peterson (DD-969) honored the memory of Lieutenant Commander Carl Jerrold Peterson, who graduated from the United States Naval Academy and was commissioned as an Ensign in June 1958. His early sea assignments included tours aboard USS McCaffery (DD-860) and USS Arneb (AKA-56), and in 1962, he was assigned to the office of the Chief of Naval Operations, followed by a posting to the staff of Commander Middle East Force in 1964.[1]
From 1966 to 1968, Lieutenant Commander Peterson served as Operations Officer aboard USS Ogden (LPD-5), participating in eight major amphibious operations against enemy forces in Vietnam. He helped develop command and control methods for simultaneous air and sea troop deployment from amphibious transports that were crucial to the success of these missions. In December 1968, Peterson volunteered for additional duty in Vietnam, and in April 1969, he was fatally wounded when an enemy rocket struck his vessel.
Construction and Early Service
The Peterson was built by Ingalls Shipbuilding at their West Bank facility in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Her keel was laid in April 1974, she was launched in June 1975, christened in July of the same year, and commissioned in July 1977. Like other Spruance-class destroyers, the Peterson measured 564.3 feet long with a beam of 55.1 feet and a draft of 28.9 feet. At full load, she displaced approximately 9,200 tons and could achieve speeds exceeding 30 knots, powered by four General Electric LM2500 gas turbine engines driving two five-bladed propellers. Her crew consisted of approximately 340 officers and enlisted personnel.[2]
The ship was armed with the most modern warfare technology, including two Mk 45 5-inch/54 caliber lightweight guns, one Mk 41 Vertical Launching System capable of firing Tomahawk cruise missiles, ASROC anti-submarine rockets, and Standard surface-to-air missiles. Additional weapons systems included Mk 46 torpedoes mounted in two triple-tube launchers, Harpoon anti-ship missile launchers, one Sea Sparrow point-defense missile system, and two 20mm Phalanx Close-In Weapons Systems for last-ditch defense against incoming threats. The ship also carried one SH-60B Seahawk helicopter for anti-submarine warfare and reconnaissance missions.[2]
Operational and Deployment History
Following her commissioning in 1977, the Peterson quickly established a reputation for excellence: In 1978, she was named runner-up for Destroyer Squadron Ten’s Battle Efficiency “E” award, and she earned her Destroyer Squadron Ten’s 1979 Battle “E” award during her first deployment in 1979, when she served as flagship for Commander, Middle East Force, operating in the strategically vital Arabian Gulf and Indian Ocean.[1]
Cold War Operations and Modernization
The Peterson’s second deployment lasted from September 1980 to March 1981, when she returned to the Arabian Gulf during the Iran-Iraq War, and her third deployment sent her to the Mediterranean Sea in December 1981.
A major nine-month overhaul in July 1982 significantly enhanced the ship’s combat capabilities. This modernization included the installation of the Mark 23 Target Acquisition System, two 20mm Vulcan Phalanx Close-In Weapons Systems, and an upgraded communications and electronics suite. These improvements kept the Peterson at the forefront of naval technology, but unfortunately exposed shipyard workers and those remaining on the ship to additional asbestos hazards during the process.
Mediterranean Operations and Combat Actions
In April 1984, the Peterson earned the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for her role as a Naval Gunfire Support Ship off the coast of Beirut, Lebanon, during the Lebanese Civil War. In the fall of 1985, the ship participated in NATO exercise “Ocean Safari” in the North Atlantic, where she earned the coveted “Blue Nose” designation for crossing the Arctic Circle and the Meritorious Unit Commendation, recognizing the crew’s outstanding professionalism under challenging conditions.
In 1986, the Peterson deployed to the Mediterranean with the USS America (CV-66) Battle Group and performed Search and Rescue duties during combat operations near Libya. Her contributions earned her the Navy Unit Commendation.
Advanced Operations and International Cooperation
During the Peterson’s 1988 deployment, she served as the flagship for Commander, Destroyer Squadron Twenty-Six. She operated alongside naval forces from Britain, France, Germany, Spain, and Tunisia, demonstrating NATO’s commitment to maritime security. She visited Constanta, Romania, and received praise for her extensive surveillance operations against the Soviet Union’s new Kiev-class aircraft carrier Baku.
Her 1990 deployment began in the Mediterranean with the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) Battle Group, including visits to Naples, St. Maxime, Palma, and Tunis. When civil war erupted in Liberia, the Peterson quickly transited to the region with the Marines, standing ready to evacuate American citizens and assisted in evacuating more than 1,600 refugees.
Major Overhaul and Enhanced Capabilities
March 1991 marked the start of a thirteen-month overhaul at Ingalls Shipbuilding Company in Pascagoula, Mississippi, including installation of the Mk 41 Vertical Launching System, the SQQ-89 Tactical Towed Array Sonar System, and double RAST (Recovery, Assist, Secure and Traverse) tracks to support two LAMPS Mark III SH-60B Seahawk helicopters. While these improvements enhanced the ship’s combat effectiveness, they again created additional asbestos exposure risks for shipyard workers and crew members involved in the installation process.
Gulf War and Tomahawk Strikes
The Peterson played a significant role in enforcing United Nations sanctions against Iraq when, in February 1993, she was deployed to the Red Sea as part of the Middle East Force, intercepting and boarding nearly 250 vessels.
In June 1993, following Iraq’s attempted assassination of President Bush, the Peterson successfully launched 14 Tomahawk cruise missiles against Iraqi targets. This successful operation contributed to her earning Destroyer Squadron Two’s Battle Efficiency award that year.
Humanitarian Operations and Continued Excellence
In July and August 1994, the Peterson was sent to Haiti to support Operation Support Democracy during the restoration of democratic government. Her active Mediterranean deployment included several community service projects, including the “Project Handclasp” program that distributed materials and medical help.
In October 1995, the Peterson underwent another significant upgrade during a three-and-a-half-month Selected Restricted Availability (SRA). This modernization included the installation of the state-of-the-art Advanced Tomahawk Weapons Control System. She was also recognized in 1995 with Destroyer Squadron Twenty-Eight’s Battle Efficiency award.
Counter-Drug Operations and NATO Service
In June and July 1996, the Peterson participated in counter-drug operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean off the coasts of Central and South America. During this deployment, the crew enjoyed a traditional “Crossing the Line” ceremony within sight of the Galapagos Islands.
In July 1997, the Peterson deployed with NATO Standing Naval Force Atlantic for a six-month deployment, operating in the Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas and the Eastern Atlantic Ocean. She conducted numerous exercises with naval forces from Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Canada, and Italy, visiting ports throughout the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Western Europe in support of NATO unity and cooperation.
Kosovo Operations and Final Deployments
During the Peterson’s 1999 deployment, she served as the flagship for Commander Standing Naval Force Mediterranean. She spent the first two months of her deployment in the Adriatic Sea off the coast of Kosovo, supporting Operation Allied Force during the Kosovo conflict, which earned her the Navy Unit Commendation. Following the peace process in Kosovo, the ship visited numerous Mediterranean ports alongside SNFM ships from England, Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, the Netherlands, and Germany.
From January through April 2000, the Peterson completed essential maintenance and repairs to her main engine spaces, flight decks, and anchor chains, then participated in Baltic Sea Operations (BALTOPS) in May 2000.
Final Service and Decommissioning
In October 2000, the Peterson participated in complex multinational exercises involving the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) Battle Group, USS Nassau (LHA-4) Amphibious Ready Group, and 14 NATO ships from Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Her final deployment began in September 2001, as part of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) Aircraft Carrier Battle Group for a six-month deployment that became part of Operation Enduring Freedom following the September 11 attacks. The battle group returned to the United States in March 2002, which concluded the Peterson’s final operational deployment.
The ship was decommissioned in October 2002 at her homeport of Norfolk, Virginia. She was stricken from the Navy list in November 2002 and was sunk as a target during weapons effects testing as part of the DD-21 Program.
Asbestos Contamination on the USS Peterson
From the 1930s to the 1970s, the U.S. Navy built hundreds of ships, and all of them consistently used asbestos-containing components. The material was viewed as an exceptional element for warship construction, as it was resistant to high temperatures, flames, and the ocean environment, durable, and inexpensive. As a result, the military required its inclusion in hundreds of applications. Though the USS Peterson was built after the dangers of asbestos began to be publicized, the Navy had so many asbestos-containing materials in its inventory that it continued using them in the same way it had in previous naval vessels, during the ship’s initial construction as well as in modification and enhancement projects undertaken throughout the ship’s operational lifetime.
During construction, maintenance, and upgrades, removing, replacing, cleaning, and other types of handling of asbestos-containing components caused the fibrous material to break down into microscopic fibers that become airborne. These invisible particles would remain suspended in the air, where shipyard personnel would breathe them in, or unknowingly carry them home on their clothing, hair, or skin, leading to secondary exposure of their family members.
While the Navy was largely unaware of the health dangers posed by these materials, the same can’t be said for the companies that produced and distributed them to shipyards for installation. Many of them had received warnings about the hazards of asbestos decades earlier, but deliberately concealed the information so they could continue making money from the carcinogenic material.
The shipboard locations where the highest concentration of asbestos-containing materials was found included:
- The spaces housing turbines, pumps, and valve systems, which required insulation containing asbestos. Heat shields, sealing materials, and packing compounds used in these areas also contained significant amounts of asbestos.
- The miles-long network of piping, air circulation systems, and heat exchanger units was wrapped or sprayed with asbestos to protect personnel from extreme temperatures and maintain thermal efficiency.
- Wiring, control panels, switching devices, and other electrical equipment were all insulated with asbestos due to its fire-prevention and electrical insulation characteristics.
- Sleeping areas, bunks, and mess halls were constructed using flooring materials, ceiling components, wall insulation, and fire-resistant doors that all contained asbestos.
- Safety equipment used by damage control and fire suppression teams frequently contained asbestos fibers due to their heat and flame-resistant properties.
Personnel at Risk of Asbestos Exposure on the USS Peterson
Every service member who served aboard the USS Peterson was likely exposed to asbestos, but personnel who worked in the locations that had higher concentrations of the material were put at greater risk.
The crew members who experienced the highest level of asbestos exposure included:
- Engineering Specialists
- Boiler Operators
- Hull Repair Technicians
- Emergency Response Teams
- Pipe System Specialists
- Electrical Technicians
- Shipyard Maintenance Workers
The minimal air circulation and cramped quarters on the Peterson exacerbated the effects of the airborne asbestos particles, increasing the potential for inhaling the toxic material or transporting it throughout the ship, where other personnel could be exposed.
The Impact of Asbestos Exposure
Exposure to asbestos has been conclusively linked to several serious and often deadly medical conditions, some of which remain hidden for twenty to fifty years after the material enters the body. This long timeline — known as latency— means that many veterans who served aboard the USS Peterson are just beginning to develop symptoms, while those who served during her later years may not show symptoms for decades to come.
The most common asbestos-related diseases affecting naval veterans are:
- Pleural and Peritoneal Mesothelioma
- Asbestosis
- Lung Cancer
- Pleural Scarring and Thickening
- Additional Malignancies
These diseases are devastating for anybody, but are particularly tragic when they happen to veterans and their families, who have already sacrificed so much for their country. Asbestos-related diseases cause severe emotional trauma, enormous medical costs, and dramatically diminished quality of life and life expectancy.
Assistance and Resources for USS Peterson Veterans Diagnosed with Mesothelioma
Veterans who served aboard the USS Peterson and who have developed asbestos-related illnesses have access to various sources of financial assistance, compensation, and medical care.
Veterans Services
With asbestos exposure during military service having been established as a cause of disease and death among veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs has dedicated special services for affected veterans who provide the appropriate documentation. A successful claim application leads to disability benefits; access to treatment at VA medical facilities or some of the best dedicated cancer centers in the country; and additional support, including home healthcare, medical equipment, and family caregiver support.
Asbestos Trust Funds
These funds were created by companies whose roles in manufacturing or supplying asbestos products resulted in massive legal liabilities, court judgments, and bankruptcy. The courts mandated that they set up special dedicated trust funds to make sure that future asbestos victims would be able to receive compensation for the harm that they suffered as a result of the companies’ negligence. Today, these funds are collectively valued at approximately $30 billion. Accessing these funds requires substantial documentation for verification purposes.
Filing Lawsuits
Personal injury lawsuits and wrongful death claims provide the greatest potential compensation for veterans with mesothelioma diagnoses. Legal action against companies that manufactured, supplied, or installed asbestos-containing materials on naval vessels can lead to significant court awards or out-of-court settlements that pay for medical costs, lost income, physical and emotional pain, and other damages.
How a Mesothelioma Lawyer Can Assist
There are significant benefits to pursuing each of these resources, but the process involved can be complicated. If you’re already dealing with the challenges of a mesothelioma diagnosis, you’ll find that meeting with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer will be a real help. Whether you’re interested in learning about legal claims, trust fund applications, VA benefit requests, or all three, attorneys who specialize in asbestos law have access to extensive resources to help identify all the asbestos manufacturers that may be responsible for your exposure, and expert witnesses who can support your case. An attorney can evaluate your eligibility for compensation, gather documentation to verify your service and asbestos exposure, and collect all medical records supporting your claim. They can also help you meet all deadlines for applications and claims while advocating for your interests in a variety of settings.
By working with skilled legal professionals, USS Peterson veterans can maximize the compensation they receive while reducing stress and uncertainty.
References
View All References
