⚓ CV-10 — Essex CV-9
USS Yorktown — Asbestos Exposure
USS Yorktown (CV-10) was named in honor of USS Yorktown (CV-5), which was lost at the Battle of Midway in June 1942. The new Yorktown was commissioned just 10 months later and went on to earn 11 battle stars in the Pacific. She recovered the Apollo 8 astronauts — the first humans to orbit the Moon — in December 1968. Yorktown is preserved at Patriots Point near Charleston, South Carolina.
Service History
Yorktown commissioned April 15, 1943 and deployed immediately to the Pacific. She participated in raids on the Marianas, the Philippine Sea ('Great Marianas Turkey Shoot'), Leyte Gulf, and operations supporting the Luzon landings. She was damaged by a Japanese torpedo in 1944 but remained operational. Post-WWII she served as a training and attack carrier before conversion to anti-submarine duties. She recovered the Apollo 8 crew (Borman, Lovell, Anders) on December 27, 1968, after the first crewed flight to orbit the Moon. Decommissioned in 1970, she opened as a museum at Patriots Point in 1975.
Asbestos Exposure Aboard USS Yorktown
Yorktown's engineering plant used asbestos insulation throughout her construction and active service. Essex-class carriers built at Newport News in 1943 were insulated with asbestos pipe lagging, boiler insulation, and gaskets as standard construction practice. Engineering ratings who served in Yorktown's boiler rooms and engine rooms face documented asbestos exposure for VA and trust fund claim purposes.
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 Yorktown 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
Is USS Laffey also at Patriots Point?
Yes. Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum is home to both USS Yorktown (CV-10) and USS Laffey (DD-724). Visitors can board both ships. Veterans who served on either vessel may find the museum particularly meaningful.
Did You Serve Aboard USS Yorktown?
If you or a family member served aboard USS Yorktown, 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 ›