⚓ BB-63 — Iowa BB-61
USS Missouri — Asbestos Exposure
USS Missouri (BB-63) is one of the most historically significant warships ever built. The 'Mighty Mo' is where Japan formally surrendered on September 2, 1945, ending World War II. Today she is a museum ship at Pearl Harbor — moored near the USS Arizona Memorial, bridging the beginning and end of American involvement in the war.
Service History
Missouri was commissioned June 11, 1944, and saw immediate action in the Pacific. She provided shore bombardment support during the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and survived a kamikaze strike off Okinawa on April 11, 1945. The formal Japanese surrender ceremony was held on her deck on September 2, 1945, in Tokyo Bay, with General of the Army Douglas MacArthur presiding. After WWII, Missouri was decommissioned in 1955, reactivated in 1986, modernized with Tomahawk missiles and Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and served in the Gulf War (1991), bombarding Iraqi positions in Kuwait. She was finally decommissioned in 1992 and transferred to Pearl Harbor as a museum.
Asbestos Exposure Aboard USS Missouri
Iowa-class battleships were among the most heavily insulated warships ever built. Missouri's engineering plant — four sets of geared turbines producing 212,000 shaft horsepower — required asbestos pipe lagging, block insulation, and gaskets throughout eight boiler rooms and four engine rooms. The combination of high-pressure steam (600 psi, 850°F) and confined ship spaces created intense asbestos exposure for the Machinist's Mates, Boiler Technicians, and Hull Technicians who worked her engineering plant. Iowa-class ships are documented to have carried hundreds of tons of asbestos insulation.
For a full list of asbestos locations and at-risk ratings for the Iowa BB-61, see the Iowa BB-61 class page.
VA Benefits & Legal Options
Veterans who served in engineering ratings aboard USS Missouri 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 Battleships › 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
Was USS Missouri preserved with its asbestos insulation?
Yes. When Missouri was converted to a museum ship, much of the original asbestos insulation remained in the engineering spaces — as it does on most museum battleships. Museum visitors typically do not access engineering spaces, and the insulation is managed (not removed) under hazardous materials protocols. Former crew members' asbestos exposure occurred during active service, not museum visits.
Can veterans who served on USS Missouri file VA asbestos claims?
Yes. Veterans who served in engineering ratings aboard Missouri — Machinist's Mates, Boiler Technicians, Hull Technicians — during her active service periods (1944–1955, 1986–1992) are eligible for VA disability compensation for asbestos-related disease. The ship's documented construction and the Iowa-class's well-recorded asbestos insulation specifications support an exposure finding.
Did You Serve Aboard USS Missouri?
If you or a family member served aboard USS Missouri, 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 ›