⚓ BB-60 — South Dakota BB-57
USS Alabama — Asbestos Exposure
USS Alabama (BB-60), nicknamed 'The Mighty A,' served in both the Atlantic and Pacific during World War II and was one of only two South Dakota-class battleships to survive the war (along with Massachusetts). She participated in the Normandy bombardment campaign and escorted Allied convoys. Today she is preserved at Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile, Alabama.
Service History
Alabama commissioned August 16, 1942 and deployed to the British Home Fleet in early 1943, where she escorted convoys to the Soviet Union and protected the Scapa Flow anchorage. She transferred to the Pacific in 1943 for operations in the Gilberts, Marshalls, and Marianas. She provided shore bombardment support during the Saipan and Guam landings and covered carrier task forces during major operations. She earned nine battle stars and was decommissioned in 1947. Alabama was preserved at Mobile in 1964, where she remains at Battleship Memorial Park alongside the submarine USS Drum.
Asbestos Exposure Aboard USS Alabama
Alabama was built at Norfolk Naval Shipyard — one of the major East Coast naval shipyards with documented asbestos exposure histories. Her South Dakota-class engineering plant, identical in layout to Massachusetts, used asbestos insulation throughout her boiler rooms and machinery spaces. Engineering ratings who served in these spaces were exposed to asbestos from pipe lagging, boiler block insulation, and gaskets.
For a full list of asbestos locations and at-risk ratings for the South Dakota BB-57, see the South Dakota BB-57 class page.
VA Benefits & Legal Options
Veterans who served in engineering ratings aboard USS Alabama 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
Are both USS Alabama and USS Drum preserved at Mobile?
Yes. Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile, Alabama, includes both USS Alabama (BB-60) and USS Drum (SS-228), a WWII Gato-class submarine, along with aircraft and other exhibits. Veterans or their families who may have served on either vessel can visit the park to see the ships.
Did You Serve Aboard USS Alabama?
If you or a family member served aboard USS Alabama, 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 ›