⚓ DD-661 — Fletcher DD-445
USS Kidd — Asbestos Exposure
USS Kidd (DD-661) was named for Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd, who was killed at his battle station on the bridge of USS Arizona during the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941 — the first U.S. flag officer killed in action in WWII. The destroyer carries a Jolly Roger skull-and-crossbones emblem, earning her the nickname 'The Pirate Ship.' She is preserved in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Service History
Kidd commissioned February 23, 1943 and served in both the Atlantic and Pacific during WWII. She participated in anti-submarine patrols, carrier task force screening, and shore bombardment. After WWII she served through the Korean War era and in training exercises. Decommissioned in 1964, she was later acquired by Louisiana and became one of the best-preserved Fletcher-class destroyers — retaining her original 1945 configuration with minimal post-war modifications. She opened as a museum in Baton Rouge in 1982.
Asbestos Exposure Aboard USS Kidd
Kidd was built at Federal Shipbuilding in Kearny, NJ — a major WWII-era destroyer builder. Fletcher-class destroyers had compact, intensely hot engineering plants that required asbestos insulation on pipe runs, boiler casings, and turbine housings. As one of the best-preserved Fletchers (with minimal post-war modification), Kidd's engineering spaces largely retain their original asbestos-era configuration as installed during construction.
For a full list of asbestos locations and at-risk ratings for the Fletcher DD-445, see the Fletcher DD-445 class page.
VA Benefits & Legal Options
Veterans who served in engineering ratings aboard USS Kidd 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 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
USS Kidd is described as very well preserved — does that mean her asbestos insulation is still in place?
Yes. USS Kidd is considered one of the most authentically preserved Fletcher-class destroyers precisely because she was not heavily modified after 1945. Her engineering spaces retain much of their original configuration, including asbestos insulation. The museum manages this material under hazardous materials protocols. Veterans who served aboard during her active service years were exposed to this insulation in operational conditions.
Did You Serve Aboard USS Kidd?
If you or a family member served aboard USS Kidd, 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 ›