⚓ U.S. Navy — Destroyer Escorts

Edsall/Buckley/Cannon DE

The Edsall/Buckley/Cannon DE consisted of 26 vessels. Like all U.S. Navy destroyer escorts built during the asbestos era, these ships used asbestos-containing insulation throughout their engineering plants. Veterans who served in engineering spaces aboard Edsall/Buckley/Cannon DE ships may have been exposed to asbestos fibers.

Asbestos Exposure Aboard Edsall/Buckley/Cannon DE Ships

Asbestos was the standard thermal insulation material in U.S. Navy destroyer escorts built before approximately 1980. Common sources of asbestos exposure aboard Edsall/Buckley/Cannon DE vessels included:

  • Pipe lagging and block insulation in boiler rooms and engine rooms
  • Gaskets at pipe flanges throughout the engineering plant
  • Valve stem packing and pump seals
  • Turbine casing insulation and expansion joint material
  • Asbestos rope, cloth, and tape used for sealing and repair work

For detailed information on spaces and products specific to destroyer escorts, see the Destroyer Escorts asbestos overview ›

At-Risk Ratings Aboard Edsall/Buckley/Cannon DE Ships

The following ratings had regular contact with asbestos-containing materials aboard destroyer escorts of this era. If you served in one of these ratings, document it when filing a VA disability or asbestos trust fund claim.

  • Machinist's Mate (MM)
  • Boiler Technician (BT)
  • Engineman (EN)
  • Hull Technician (HT)

Ships in the Edsall/Buckley/Cannon DE (26 vessels)

Ship Name Hull No. Notes
USS Edsall DE-129 Over 500 WWII-era DEs built; selected representative hulls shown
USS Jacob Jones DE-130 Over 500 WWII-era DEs built; selected representative hulls shown
USS Hammann DE-131 Over 500 WWII-era DEs built; selected representative hulls shown
USS Robert E. Peary DE-132 Over 500 WWII-era DEs built; selected representative hulls shown
USS Pillsbury DE-133 Over 500 WWII-era DEs built; selected representative hulls shown
USS Pope DE-134 Over 500 WWII-era DEs built; selected representative hulls shown
USS Flaherty DE-135 Over 500 WWII-era DEs built; selected representative hulls shown
USS Frederick C. Davis DE-136 Over 500 WWII-era DEs built; selected representative hulls shown
USS Herbert C. Jones DE-137 Over 500 WWII-era DEs built; selected representative hulls shown
USS Edison DE-439 Over 500 WWII-era DEs built; selected representative hulls shown
USS O'toole DE-527 Over 500 WWII-era DEs built; selected representative hulls shown
USS John J. Powers DE-528 Over 500 WWII-era DEs built; selected representative hulls shown
USS Mason DE-529 Over 500 WWII-era DEs built; selected representative hulls shown
USS Neal A. Scott DE-769 Over 500 WWII-era DEs built; selected representative hulls shown
USS Muir DE-770 Over 500 WWII-era DEs built; selected representative hulls shown
USS Sutton DE-771 Over 500 WWII-era DEs built; selected representative hulls shown
USS Burton DE-339 Over 500 WWII-era DEs built; selected representative hulls shown
USS Bostwick DE-103 Over 500 WWII-era DEs built; selected representative hulls shown
USS Breeman DE-104 Over 500 WWII-era DEs built; selected representative hulls shown
USS Brough DE-148 Over 500 WWII-era DEs built; selected representative hulls shown
USS Cates DE-763 Over 500 WWII-era DEs built; selected representative hulls shown
USS Gandy DE-764 Over 500 WWII-era DEs built; selected representative hulls shown
USS Earl V. Johnson DE-702 Over 500 WWII-era DEs built; selected representative hulls shown
USS Holton DE-703 Over 500 WWII-era DEs built; selected representative hulls shown
USS Cronin DE-704 Over 500 WWII-era DEs built; selected representative hulls shown
USS Frybarger DE-705 Over 500 WWII-era DEs built; selected representative hulls shown

VA Benefits & Legal Options for Edsall/Buckley/Cannon DE Veterans

Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural plaques, or asbestos-related lung cancer who served aboard Edsall/Buckley/Cannon DE ships may be eligible for:

  • VA disability compensation — monthly benefit; requires diagnosis plus evidence of shipboard service. No manufacturer identification needed.
  • Asbestos trust fund claims — lump-sum payments from trusts funded by bankrupt asbestos manufacturers (Johns-Manville, Owens Corning, and others). Requires identifying specific products used aboard.

These two paths are not mutually exclusive. Many veterans pursue both.

Full claim guidance for Destroyer Escorts ›   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

Did Edsall/Buckley/Cannon DE ships use asbestos?

Yes. The Edsall/Buckley/Cannon DE was built during the era when asbestos was the standard insulation material in U.S. naval construction. Engineering spaces aboard these vessels contained asbestos pipe lagging, boiler block insulation, gaskets, and valve packing. Veterans who worked in boiler rooms, engine rooms, or repair roles had the highest likelihood of exposure.

How do I prove I served aboard a Edsall/Buckley/Cannon DE ship for a VA claim?

Your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) lists your ship assignments. Additional documentation includes ship deck logs (available from the National Archives), official orders, and buddy statements from fellow crew members. A Veterans Service Organization (VSO) can help you gather and submit this evidence at no cost.

What asbestos products were used aboard Edsall/Buckley/Cannon DE ships?

Common asbestos products used in U.S. Navy destroyer escorts of this era included Kaylo pipe insulation (Owens-Illinois), Unibestos block insulation (Pittsburgh Corning), 85% magnesia pipe covering (various manufacturers), Flexitallic spiral-wound gaskets, and Johns-Manville pipe covering. A mesothelioma attorney who specializes in Navy claims maintains detailed product-identification databases for specific ship classes.

Did You Serve Aboard Edsall/Buckley/Cannon DE?

If you or a family member served aboard Edsall/Buckley/Cannon DE, 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.

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