⚓ CV-12 — Essex CV-9
USS Hornet — Asbestos Exposure
USS Hornet (CV-12) is famous as the recovery ship for the Apollo 11 and Apollo 12 astronauts — the most historically significant moon-landing missions. Commissioned in 1943, she earned seven battle stars in World War II and recovered both Neil Armstrong's and Pete Conrad's crews from the Pacific. She is preserved as a museum at Alameda, California.
Service History
Hornet commissioned November 29, 1943, named in honor of USS Hornet (CV-8), which was sunk at the Battle of Santa Cruz in October 1942. CV-12 served throughout the Pacific, participating in raids on Japanese home islands and supporting major amphibious operations. She was the target of a Japanese special-attack unit at the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944. After WWII she was modernized as an attack carrier and then converted to an anti-submarine carrier. She recovered the Apollo 11 crew (Armstrong, Collins, Aldrin) on July 24, 1969, and the Apollo 12 crew (Conrad, Gordon, Bean) on November 24, 1969. Decommissioned in 1970, she opened as a museum in Alameda in 1998.
Asbestos Exposure Aboard USS Hornet
Hornet's asbestos exposure profile mirrors that of her Essex-class sisters. Built at Newport News in 1943–1944, she was insulated with asbestos pipe lagging, boiler block insulation, and gaskets throughout four boiler rooms and her machinery spaces. Veterans who served in engineering ratings during her WWII service and her post-war active service years are eligible for VA disability claims.
For a full list of asbestos locations and at-risk ratings for the Essex CV-9, see the Essex CV-9 class page.
VA Benefits & Legal Options
Veterans who served in engineering ratings aboard USS Hornet and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural plaques, or asbestos-related lung cancer may be eligible for:
- VA disability compensation — Monthly benefit. Requires a diagnosis, evidence of shipboard service, and a nexus between the two. No specific product identification required.
- Asbestos trust fund claims — Lump-sum payments from manufacturers' bankruptcy trusts. Requires identifying specific products used aboard. Multiple trusts may apply.
These two paths are not mutually exclusive. Many veterans pursue both.
Full claim guidance for Aircraft Carriers › Free Legal Review ›
Asbestos.cam is an informational resource, not a law firm. The above is general information, not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for guidance on your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the Apollo astronauts face any asbestos risk aboard Hornet during recovery operations?
Recovery operations involved the crew briefly boarding the ship after splashdown. The astronauts were kept in isolation (for quarantine purposes after Apollo 11 and 12) and did not access engineering spaces. Asbestos exposure aboard Hornet was an occupational risk for the engineering crew, not for brief visitors or recovered astronauts.
Did You Serve Aboard USS Hornet?
If you or a family member served aboard USS Hornet, you may have been exposed to asbestos. Sharing your service information is completely voluntary and may help build the historical record of shipboard exposure — information that can be valuable in VA disability and asbestos trust fund claims.
What we do with your information: Your submission goes into a private moderation queue. We will never publish your name, contact details, or diagnosis information publicly. The only information that may appear publicly is an anonymized count of verified veterans who have reported serving on this ship. We will not sell, rent, or share your information with third parties except as necessary to respond to your specific request. You may request deletion of your information at any time.
To request that your information be removed: Data Removal Request ›