USS Willis A. Lee (DL-4) and Asbestos

The USS Willis A. Lee (DL-4) represented a bold experiment in naval destroyer design. As one of the first four Mitscher-class destroyer leaders, she tested new concepts in anti-submarine warfare and fleet escort duties. Despite the innovations she represented, the Willis A. Lee’s construction and operation continued the Navy’s historic use of asbestos-containing materials in its ships’ construction, and this exposed thousands of Navy personnel and shipyard workers to its dangers. Many veterans have been diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma and lung cancer, while others are still at ongoing risk.

About the Ship’s Namesake, Vice Admiral Willis A. Lee, Jr.

Vice Admiral Willis Augustus Lee, Jr. was born in Natlee, Kentucky, in 1888. A 1908 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, his distinguished naval career spanned three decades, earning him renown as both a skilled marksman and a respected naval commander. He represented the Navy in rifle competitions and served on the U.S. Olympic rifle team at the same time that he served at sea and on shore.[1]  

Lee’s most famous achievement came during World War II when, as a Rear Admiral, he led the USS Washington (BB-56) and accompanying forces to victory during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal in November 1942. This helped secure control of the strategic Solomon Islands. Later promoted to Vice Admiral, Lee commanded the Pacific Fleet’s fast battleships before being transferred to the Atlantic in May 1945. At that point, he led research into defenses against Japanese kamikaze attacks, but tragically died suddenly of a heart attack days before the end of World War II.

The Mitscher Class and Destroyer Leaders

The Willis A. Lee was one of the four Mitscher-class vessels that were designated as destroyer leaders (DL) rather than conventional destroyers. These innovative ships— the USS Mitscher (DL-2), the USS John S. McCain (DL-3), the USS Willis A. Lee (DL-4), and the USS Wilkinson (DL-5)—were each named for admirals who had served with distinction in the Pacific war and who had died between 1945 and 1947.[2]

The idea for creating “large destroyers” originated in 1942 during discussions about the need for more capable fleet escorts, but it wasn’t until 1949 that the four keels began to be laid down. Originally designated as destroyers (DD-927 through DD-930), they were reclassified as destroyer leaders (DL-2 through DL-5) in February 1951 and then reclassified again as frigates in 1955.

The Mitscher-class vessels were designed to be capable of defending carrier battle groups from air and submarine threats. Also known as fast task force escorts, they measured 493 feet in length, making them fifty feet shorter than Norfolk-class destroyer leaders but one hundred feet longer than the earlier Gearing-class destroyers. They had a standard displacement of 4,730 tons and carried a complement of 403 officers and enlisted personnel. 

The Mitscher class incorporated advanced 950-degree, 1,200 psi boilers built by Foster Wheeler, which were designed for improved performance[3] and an initial armament that included two 5-inch guns, four 3-inch guns, eight 20-millimeter guns, two rocket launchers (Weapon “Alfa”), and one depth charge track. They served as testing platforms for the Navy’s new sensors and weapons systems, including experimental bow-mounted sonar arrays. Unfortunately, the complex engineering plants they’d been equipped with proved unreliable, leading to them having relatively short service lives of approximately fifteen years.

About the USS Willis A. Lee

Construction and Early Service

The Willis A. Lee was laid down in November 1949 at the Bethlehem Steel Company’s Shipbuilding Division in Quincy, Massachusetts. She was launched in January 1952, sponsored by Mrs. Fitzhugh L. Palmer, Jr., niece of Vice Admiral Lee, and commissioned in October 1954 under the command of Commander Frederick H. Schneider, Jr. Following her shakedown cruise at Guantanamo Bay, the Willis A. Lee was assigned to Newport, Rhode Island, as her homeport and began operations with the Atlantic Fleet.[4] 

Operational and Deployment History

Early Mediterranean Service

In July 1955, the Willis A. Lee became the first ship of her class to deploy to the Mediterranean. When she returned to the East Coast after this trip, she participated in air defense exercises. In February 1956, she sailed to the Dominican Republic to represent the United States in American Day festivities at Ciudad Trujillo before undergoing maintenance at Boston Naval Shipyard.[4]

Notable Missions and Modifications

One of the ship’s notable missions came in November 1956, when she fought and extinguished a dangerous oil fire on the distressed fishing vessel Agda off Montauk Point, Long Island, saving several lives.  February 1957 brought a prestigious assignment transporting His Majesty King Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia to New York City during his official visit to the United States. 

Throughout the late 1950s, the ship alternated between Mediterranean deployments and Atlantic operations. A historic highlight came in summer 1959 during Operation “Inland Sea,” when she served as flagship during a cruise through the Great Lakes. The voyage included transiting the newly opened St. Lawrence Seaway and visiting ports in Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, Erie, and Cleveland.

FRAM Modernization and Sonar Development

In November 1960, the Willis A. Lee entered Boston Naval Shipyard for an extensive Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) overhaul. This major modification dramatically altered her appearance and capabilities. The most significant change was the installation of a revolutionary bow-mounted sonar dome utilizing new underwater sound-ranging concepts. The after 3-inch twin gun mount was removed and replaced with a helicopter hangar to accommodate the DASH (Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopter) system, and topside anti-submarine torpedo armament was added.

Following her FRAM overhaul, the Willis A. Lee was immediately called into action for a rescue operation, evacuating the crew from an early warning tower off the Massachusetts coast during Hurricane Esther and then standing guard over the site.

Cold War Operations

Much of the Willis A. Lee’s later career focused on sonar evaluations and anti-submarine warfare development. She operated extensively from the mid-Atlantic to the Caribbean, working frequently with submarines to test and refine her advanced sonar systems. These operations included regular visits to Bermuda and various Caribbean ports.

During the tense Cuban Missile Crisis in autumn 1962, the Willis A. Lee played an important role in the naval quarantine, operating on the Cuban “quarantine line” for ten days until President Kennedy called off the operation. She then resumed her routine sonar evaluation duties.[4]

Final Years

The Willis A. Lee’s final Mediterranean deployment occurred in November 1966, her fourth and last tour with the Sixth Fleet. She returned to Newport in May 1967, completing her first extended deployment since 1961. Her remaining operational life was spent in continued sonar development and testing operations, homeported at Newport with periodic maintenance periods at Boston Naval Shipyard.

The ship was decommissioned in December 1969 and struck from the Navy list in May 1972. She was sold to Union Minerals & Alloys Corporation of New York City and taken under tow for her final voyage in June 1973, before being scrapped.

Asbestos Contamination on the USS Willis A. Lee

During the 1950s, when the USS Willis A. Lee was built, and the 1960s when it operated and went through multiple modifications and upgrades, asbestos was a valued component in naval vessels. With its exceptional fire-retardant properties, thermal insulation capabilities, and structural durability, the material seemed ideal for applications like maritime operations, where fire prevention and heat resistance were critical safety concerns. The Willis A. Lee, like other ships of her era, was both originally constructed with asbestos-containing materials and subsequently had these materials replaced or supplemented during maintenance, repairs, and modernization projects.

Each maintenance activity involving equipment or infrastructure that included the material created hazardous conditions, as asbestos easily deteriorates into microscopic fibers that become airborne when it is disturbed. Removal, installation, or any other type of manipulation of these products led to this result, freeing invisible particles to be inhaled, swallowed, or to become stuck in clothing, hair, and skin. For shipyard personnel, this occupational exposure was dangerous for them and risked secondary exposure for the family members they returned home to after each day of work. 

Though the health dangers posed by asbestos were largely unknown to the naval personnel in charge of ordering the contaminated equipment, the same cannot be said of the manufacturers and others responsible for supplying the military and its contractors. Many asbestos companies had knowledge of the risks, but failed to adequately warn users.

Asbestos-containing materials were heavily concentrated in several key areas of the ship:

• Propulsion and machinery spaces: Boilers, turbines, pumps, and associated piping were extensively wrapped with asbestos insulation. Heat-resistant gaskets, seals, and packing materials in these areas typically contained high concentrations of asbestos fibers.
• Steam and exhaust systems: Miles of steam pipes, exhaust ducts, and condensers throughout the Willis A. Lee were insulated with asbestos-based materials to prevent heat loss and reduce fire hazards.
• Electrical systems: Wiring insulation, electrical panels, and circuit components frequently incorporated asbestos due to its non-conductive and fire-resistant properties.
• Crew accommodations: Berthing areas, mess halls, and recreational spaces contained asbestos in floor tiles, ceiling panels, wall insulation, and fire-resistant doors and partitions.
• Safety equipment: Firefighting gear, damage control equipment, and protective clothing often contained asbestos materials for heat and flame protection.

Personnel at Greatest Risk of Asbestos Exposure on the USS Willis A. Lee

Although all personnel serving aboard the USS Willis A. Lee faced the potential of being exposed to asbestos onboard the ship, certain rating specialties and work assignments carried higher risk levels because the roles involved either direct contact with asbestos-containing materials or working in heavily contaminated areas.

The crew members facing the most severe exposure risks included:

• Engineering Personnel: Machinist’s mates, boiler technicians, and engineering personnel who maintained and repaired propulsion systems worked directly with asbestos-wrapped boilers, turbines, and steam systems.
• Hull Maintenance Technicians: These sailors regularly handled asbestos-containing insulation and other materials during repair and maintenance operations.
• Electrician’s Mates: Personnel working on electrical systems frequently encountered asbestos insulation in wiring, panels, and electrical equipment throughout the ship.
• Damage Control Personnel: Firefighting and damage control team members used asbestos-containing protective equipment and worked in areas where asbestos materials were concentrated.
• Shipyard Workers: Civilian workers involved in construction, maintenance, and the major FRAM overhaul faced intense exposure during the installation and removal of asbestos materials.

The confined spaces aboard the destroyer leader, combined with limited ventilation systems, exacerbated exposure risks. Once disturbed, asbestos fibers could remain suspended in the air for extended periods, allowing them to spread throughout the ship and affect personnel who did not work directly with asbestos materials. This widespread contamination meant that even crew members in administrative or other non-technical roles faced potential exposure.

The Consequences of Asbestos Exposure for USS Willis A. Lee Veterans

Asbestos creates serious health risks that often do not manifest until decades after exposure. Latency periods for mesothelioma – the deadliest asbestos-related disease – typically range from 20 to 50 years. This extended delay means that many USS Willis A. Lee veterans who served in the 1960s are only now experiencing symptoms related to their service, while others still are at risk for developing asbestos-related diseases in the future.

Primary asbestos-related conditions affecting naval veterans include:

• Malignant Mesothelioma: This aggressive cancer affects the protective lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) or abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) and is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure.
• Lung Cancer: Asbestos exposure significantly increases the risk of developing lung cancer, particularly among veterans who also smoked tobacco.
• Asbestosis: This progressive lung scarring disease causes breathing difficulties, persistent cough, and reduced lung function.
• Pleural Conditions: Non-malignant conditions, including pleural plaques, pleural thickening, and pleural effusions, can cause chest pain and breathing problems.
• Other Cancers: Research has linked asbestos exposure to increased risks of throat, stomach, colon, and kidney cancers.

These conditions create devastating impacts on veterans and their families, including significant medical expenses, diminished quality of life, inability to work, and in some cases, premature death. The progressive nature of many asbestos-related diseases means that symptoms often worsen over time, requiring ongoing medical care and support services.

Benefits and Compensation for Veterans Who Served on the USS Willis A. Lee

Help from the Department of Veterans Affairs

Veterans who served aboard the USS Willis A. Lee and subsequently developed asbestos-related diseases have access to multiple forms of compensation and support. The Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes the connection between military asbestos exposure and related health conditions and provides specifically designed benefits and services to eligible veterans.

• VA Disability Benefits: Veterans with service-connected asbestos-related diseases can receive monthly disability compensation based on the severity of their condition. Mesothelioma typically qualifies for a 100% disability rating, providing the maximum benefit amount.
• VA Healthcare: Eligible veterans receive comprehensive medical care through VA medical centers, including specialized treatment at facilities with expertise in asbestos-related diseases and cancer care.
• Additional Support Services: The VA provides various supportive services, including home healthcare assistance, adaptive equipment, caregiver support programs, and transportation assistance for medical appointments.

Asbestos Trust Funds

Many of the companies responsible for having manufactured asbestos products have established special trust funds to compensate victims of asbestos-related diseases. These funds collectively hold billions of dollars and provide a potential source of compensation for veterans.

Legal Claims

• Veterans may pursue personal injury lawsuits against the manufacturers, suppliers, and installers of asbestos-containing products used on naval vessels. Successful legal claims can provide compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.
• Surviving family members may be eligible for dependency and indemnity compensation, survivor benefits, and may pursue wrongful death claims for additional compensation.

Legal Assistance for USS Willis A. Lee Veterans

To successfully obtain any of these benefits, veterans will need to establish a connection between their military service and their confirmed asbestos-related diagnosis. This process often requires detailed documentation of service history, job duties, and medical evidence. The complexity of pursuing compensation for asbestos-related diseases makes professional legal assistance invaluable. Experienced mesothelioma attorneys specialize in helping veterans and others navigate the various compensation programs and maximize their potential recovery.

• Case Evaluation: Attorneys can assess eligibility for different compensation programs, including VA benefits, trust fund claims, and personal injury lawsuits, helping Navy veterans understand their options.
• Evidence Gathering: Legal professionals who specialize in asbestos litigation have extensive resources to identify all potentially responsible parties, document service history and asbestos exposure, and gather supporting medical evidence.
• Claims Processing: Attorneys can help veterans navigate complex filing procedures, meet critical deadlines, and ensure all required documentation is properly submitted.
• Negotiation and Litigation: Experienced lawyers can negotiate with defendants and represent veterans’ interests in court proceedings to secure fair compensation.
• Comprehensive Approach: Legal advocates can coordinate multiple compensation sources, including VA benefits, trust fund claims, and lawsuit settlements, to maximize total recovery.

Working with knowledgeable legal advocates allows USS Willis A. Lee veterans to focus on their health and family while ensuring they receive the compensation they deserve for their service-related injuries. These professionals understand the unique challenges faced by naval veterans and can provide the expertise needed to successfully pursue all available forms of compensation.