⚓ U.S. Navy — Asbestos Era
Navy Amphibious Ships & Asbestos Exposure
Amphibious ships support Marine Corps landings and carry troops, vehicles, and supplies. Ships in this category range from dock landing ships (LSDs) to amphibious assault ships (LHAs/LHDs). All were built with steam propulsion plants during the asbestos era, and crew who maintained engineering spaces faced similar exposures to those aboard surface combatants.
Where Was Asbestos Found Aboard Amphibious Ships?
- Main propulsion plant — boiler and turbine insulation, steam piping
- Vehicle and cargo decks — deck tile adhesives and flooring materials
- Well deck machinery — ramp and flooding system piping insulation
- Crew berthing — overhead insulation in some ships
- Machinery room pipe lagging and gaskets
WWII-era LSTs, LSDs, and attack transports through the Tarawa-class LHAs (commissioned 1976–1980) represent the amphibious asbestos era. The Wasp class (LHD-1, commissioned 1989) marks the transition to reduced asbestos use.
Ratings Most at Risk
Veterans who served in the following ratings aboard amphibious ships had regular access to areas where asbestos was present and were more likely to disturb asbestos-containing materials during normal duties.
If you served in one of these ratings, document it as part of any VA disability or asbestos trust fund claim. Your rating and the ship\'s construction era are two of the most important factors in establishing exposure.
Amphibious Ships Classes
The table below lists all amphibious ships classes in our database. Each class page includes the full roster of ships in that class. Class pages are being built out as part of Phase 2 — if a class page is not yet live, check back or use the Find Your Ship tool to locate your vessel.
VA Benefits & Compensation for Amphibious Ships Veterans
Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural plaques, or asbestos-related lung cancer who served aboard asbestos-era Navy amphibious ships have two separate paths to compensation. These paths are not mutually exclusive — many veterans pursue both.
VA Disability Claims
The VA recognizes shipboard duty as a source of asbestos exposure. To file a disability claim, you will need:
- A current diagnosis of an asbestos-related disease from a physician
- Evidence of your service aboard an asbestos-era vessel (your DD-214, service records, or a buddy statement)
- A nexus opinion linking your diagnosis to your in-service exposure
Contact your regional VA office or a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) such as the DAV, VFW, or American Legion for no-cost assistance with claims.
Asbestos Trust Fund Claims
Separate from VA benefits, asbestos bankruptcy trust funds pay claims to veterans who can identify the manufacturers of the asbestos products they were exposed to. Over $30 billion has been set aside in these trusts. Identifying the ship, the class, and the specific products used aboard (such as Kaylo pipe insulation or Unibestos block insulation) is critical to a successful trust fund claim.
Note: Trust fund payment percentages change over time. Figures cited by attorneys should be verified against current fund schedules before filing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Were all U.S. Navy amphibious ships built with asbestos?
All amphibious ships built before approximately 1975–1980 were constructed using asbestos-containing materials in their engineering plants. Asbestos was the standard fire-resistant insulation material for high-temperature steam piping, boiler systems, and machinery spaces throughout this era. Ships built after 1980 were increasingly built without asbestos, though some legacy asbestos may remain in systems installed earlier.
How do I find out which ship I served on and whether it had asbestos?
Use our Find Your Ship tool to search by ship name or hull number. Every ship in our database is from the asbestos era. Your service records (DD-214) list the ships you served aboard. For class-level asbestos-location information, see the class page once it is published, or contact a mesothelioma attorney who specializes in Navy claims — they maintain detailed product-identification databases.
What is the latency period for asbestos-related diseases in Navy veterans?
Asbestos-related diseases typically appear 20–50 years after initial exposure. A veteran who served aboard a destroyer in the 1960s may not receive a mesothelioma diagnosis until the 2000s or 2010s. This long latency period means many veterans are being diagnosed now who served decades ago. If you were diagnosed, the statute of limitations on legal claims typically runs from the date of diagnosis, not the date of exposure — but rules vary by state, so consult an attorney promptly.
Asbestos-Related Diseases
Pleural mesothelioma
Most common mesothelioma (~75% of cases); strongly asbestos-linked
Peritoneal mesothelioma
~2nd most common; linked to ingested fibers
Pericardial mesothelioma
Rare (~1% of cases)
Testicular mesothelioma
Very rare
Asbestos-related lung cancer
Risk multiplies sharply with smoking + asbestos
Asbestosis
Progressive scarring; causes shortness of breath; not reversible
Pleural plaques
Most common sign of exposure; marker, usually asymptomatic
Diffuse pleural thickening
Can restrict lung expansion and breathing
Pleural effusion
May be an early benign manifestation
Rounded atelectasis
Can mimic tumor on imaging; benign
Laryngeal cancer
IARC-recognized association with asbestos
Ovarian cancer
Associated with asbestos (incl. talc) exposure
COPD / chronic airway disease
Asbestos can contribute alongside other causes