⚓ U.S. Navy — Destroyers

Allen M. Sumner DD-692

The Allen M. Sumner DD-692 consisted of 69 vessels. Like all U.S. Navy destroyers built during the asbestos era, these ships used asbestos-containing insulation throughout their engineering plants. Veterans who served in engineering spaces aboard Allen M. Sumner DD-692 ships may have been exposed to asbestos fibers.

Asbestos Exposure Aboard Allen M. Sumner DD-692 Ships

Asbestos was the standard thermal insulation material in U.S. Navy destroyers built before approximately 1980. Common sources of asbestos exposure aboard Allen M. Sumner DD-692 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 destroyers, see the Destroyers asbestos overview ›

At-Risk Ratings Aboard Allen M. Sumner DD-692 Ships

The following ratings had regular contact with asbestos-containing materials aboard destroyers 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)
  • Hull Technician (HT)
  • Damage Controlman (DC)
  • Engineman (EN)

Ships in the Allen M. Sumner DD-692 (69 vessels)

Ship Name Hull No. Notes
USS Allen M. Sumner DD-692 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Moale DD-693 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Ingraham DD-694 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Cooper DD-695 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS English DD-696 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Charles S. Sperry DD-697 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Ault DD-698 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Waldron DD-699 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Haynsworth DD-700 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS John W. Weeks DD-701 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Hank DD-702 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Wallace L. Lind DD-703 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Borie DD-704 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Compton DD-705 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Gainard DD-706 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Soley DD-707 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Harlan R. Dickson DD-708 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Hugh Purvis DD-709 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Barton DD-722 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Walke DD-723 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Laffey DD-724 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS O'brien DD-725 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Meredith DD-726 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS De Haven DD-727 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Mansfield DD-728 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Lyman K. Swenson DD-729 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Collett DD-730 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Maddox DD-731 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Hyman DD-732 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Mannert L. Abele DD-733 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Purdy DD-734 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Robert H. Smith DD-735 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Thomas E. Fraser DD-736 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Shannon DD-737 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Harry F. Bauer DD-738 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Adams DD-739 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Tolman DD-740 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Drexler DD-741 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Blue DD-744 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Brush DD-745 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Taussig DD-746 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Samuel N. Moore DD-747 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Harry E. Hubbard DD-748 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Henry A. Wiley DD-749 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Shea DD-750 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS J. William Ditter DD-751 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Alfred A. Cunningham DD-752 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS John R. Pierce DD-753 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Frank E. Evans DD-754 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS John A. Bole DD-755 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Beatty DD-756 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Putnam DD-757 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Strong DD-758 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Lofberg DD-759 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS John W. Thomason DD-760 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Buck DD-761 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Henley DD-762 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Lowry DD-770 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Lindsey DD-771 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Gwin DD-772 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Aaron Ward DD-773 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Hugh W. Hadley DD-774 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Willard Keith DD-775 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS James C. Owens DD-776 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Zellars DD-777 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Massey DD-778 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Douglas H. Fox DD-779 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Stormes DD-780 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)
USS Robert K. Huntington DD-781 Several (DD-735-740, 749-751, 771-773) completed as Robert H. Smith-class light minelayers (DM)

VA Benefits & Legal Options for Allen M. Sumner DD-692 Veterans

Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural plaques, or asbestos-related lung cancer who served aboard Allen M. Sumner DD-692 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 Destroyers ›   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 Allen M. Sumner DD-692 ships use asbestos?

Yes. The Allen M. Sumner DD-692 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 Allen M. Sumner DD-692 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 Allen M. Sumner DD-692 ships?

Common asbestos products used in U.S. Navy destroyers 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 Allen M. Sumner DD-692?

If you or a family member served aboard Allen M. Sumner DD-692, 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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