⚓ BB-62 — Iowa BB-61
USS New Jersey — Asbestos Exposure
USS New Jersey (BB-62) is the most decorated battleship in U.S. Navy history, earning more battle stars than any other American battleship across four wars: World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Lebanon intervention. She is preserved as a museum ship in Camden, New Jersey, across the Delaware River from Philadelphia.
Service History
New Jersey commissioned May 23, 1943 and served extensively in the Pacific during WWII. She was decommissioned in 1948, recalled for Korea (1950–1953), decommissioned again, recalled for Vietnam (1968–1969) to provide naval gunfire support, and finally reactivated in 1982 for the 600-ship Navy. She shelled Druze militia positions in Lebanon in 1983–1984 — the last time a U.S. battleship fired its main guns in anger. Decommissioned in 1991, she became a museum in Camden in 2001.
Asbestos Exposure Aboard USS New Jersey
As an Iowa-class battleship, New Jersey used asbestos insulation throughout her engineering plant across her four separate periods of active service (1943–1948, 1950–1953, 1968–1969, 1982–1991). Veterans who served during any of these periods in engineering ratings faced documented asbestos exposure. Her repeated reactivations meant that aging asbestos insulation — becoming increasingly friable — was disturbed and re-disturbed with each overhaul.
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 New Jersey 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
New Jersey served in four different wars. Does my service era affect my VA claim?
No — the VA does not limit asbestos claims to specific conflicts. Any veteran who served aboard New Jersey during any of her active service periods (WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Cold War) in an at-risk rating is eligible for VA disability compensation if diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease.
Where is USS New Jersey's museum located?
The Battleship New Jersey Museum & Memorial is moored on the Delaware River waterfront in Camden, New Jersey, directly across from Philadelphia. The museum offers full ship tours including some engineering spaces.
Did You Serve Aboard USS New Jersey?
If you or a family member served aboard USS New Jersey, 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 ›