⚓ U.S. Navy — Destroyer Escorts
Edsall/Buckley/Cannon DE
Last updated July 11, 2026
The Edsall/Buckley/Cannon DE was a class of U.S. Navy destroyer escorts from the asbestos era, led by USS Bostwick (DE-103). Its 26 ships used asbestos-containing insulation throughout the engineering plant, and veterans who served aboard Edsall/Buckley/Cannon DE vessels — especially in engineering ratings — may have been exposed to asbestos fibers.
About the Edsall/Buckley/Cannon DE
- 26 ships in the class
- Hull numbers span DE-103 to DE-771
- Lead ship: USS Bostwick (DE-103)
- 26 ships in this class carry recorded service or disposition notes (see the roster below)
Asbestos Exposure Aboard Edsall/Buckley/Cannon DE Ships
Asbestos was the standard thermal insulation material aboard U.S. Navy destroyer escorts built before approximately 1980. On ships of this type, asbestos-containing materials were concentrated in the areas below.
- Engine and boiler rooms — pipe lagging, turbine and boiler insulation
- Reduction gear spaces — thermal insulation
- Diesel engine compartments (diesel DEs) — exhaust pipe wrapping and gaskets
- Pump and valve packing throughout engineering
- Crew berthing spaces adjacent to engineering
WWII-era DEs (Evarts, Buckley, Cannon, Edsall, Rudderow, John C. Butler classes) were built 1943–1945. Postwar ocean escorts — the Knox and Garcia classes — were built through the 1970s and continued to use asbestos insulation.
For the full destroyer escorts exposure overview, see the Destroyer Escorts asbestos guide ›
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.
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.
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 ›