⚓ BB-64 — Iowa BB-61
USS Wisconsin — Asbestos Exposure
USS Wisconsin (BB-64) was the last U.S. Navy battleship to fire her guns in combat — doing so during Operation Desert Storm on January 17, 1991, the opening night of the Gulf War. She is preserved at Nauticus, the National Maritime Center, in Norfolk, Virginia.
Service History
Wisconsin commissioned April 16, 1944 and served in the Pacific during WWII, covering carrier operations and bombarding Japanese positions. After WWII service she was decommissioned and reactivated multiple times, serving briefly in Korea. Her final reactivation in 1988 brought her back for the Cold War/Gulf War era with modernized Tomahawk cruise missiles and Harpoon anti-ship missiles. During Desert Storm she fired 319 16-inch rounds and 24 Tomahawk cruise missiles against Iraqi targets. Decommissioned in 1991, she transferred to Nauticus in Norfolk.
Asbestos Exposure Aboard USS Wisconsin
Wisconsin's engineering plant — identical to her Iowa-class sisters — used asbestos insulation throughout her boiler rooms and engine rooms during all active service periods. Veterans who served in engineering ratings aboard Wisconsin during WWII, Korea, and the 1988–1991 Cold War/Gulf War reactivation period are eligible to file VA disability claims for asbestos-related disease.
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 Wisconsin 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
USS Wisconsin was reactivated in 1988. Was asbestos removed before that reactivation?
Iowa-class battleship reactivations in the 1980s included modernization work but did not fully remove legacy asbestos insulation from engineering spaces. The older insulation systems — boiler block, pipe lagging, gaskets — were typically repaired or supplemented rather than completely replaced. Veterans who served during the 1988–1991 period in engineering spaces still face documented asbestos exposure.
Did You Serve Aboard USS Wisconsin?
If you or a family member served aboard USS Wisconsin, 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 ›