⚓ U.S. Navy — Ballistic Missile Submarines
Lafayette/James Madison/Benjamin Franklin SSBN
The Lafayette/James Madison/Benjamin Franklin SSBN consisted of 31 vessels. Like all U.S. Navy ballistic missile submarines built during the asbestos era, these ships used asbestos-containing insulation throughout their engineering plants. Veterans who served in engineering spaces aboard Lafayette/James Madison/Benjamin Franklin SSBN ships may have been exposed to asbestos fibers.
Asbestos Exposure Aboard Lafayette/James Madison/Benjamin Franklin SSBN Ships
Asbestos was the standard thermal insulation material in U.S. Navy ballistic missile submarines built before approximately 1980. Common sources of asbestos exposure aboard Lafayette/James Madison/Benjamin Franklin SSBN 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 ballistic missile submarines, see the Ballistic Missile Submarines asbestos overview ›
At-Risk Ratings Aboard Lafayette/James Madison/Benjamin Franklin SSBN Ships
The following ratings had regular contact with asbestos-containing materials aboard ballistic missile submarines 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 Lafayette/James Madison/Benjamin Franklin SSBN (31 vessels)
| Ship Name | Hull No. | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| USS Lafayette | SSBN-616 | 31 hulls; all decommissioned; heavy asbestos in engine/missile compartments |
| USS Alexander Hamilton | SSBN-617 | 31 hulls; all decommissioned; heavy asbestos in engine/missile compartments |
| USS Andrew Jackson | SSBN-619 | 31 hulls; all decommissioned; heavy asbestos in engine/missile compartments |
| USS John Adams | SSBN-620 | 31 hulls; all decommissioned; heavy asbestos in engine/missile compartments |
| USS James Monroe | SSBN-622 | 31 hulls; all decommissioned; heavy asbestos in engine/missile compartments |
| USS Nathan Hale | SSBN-623 | 31 hulls; all decommissioned; heavy asbestos in engine/missile compartments |
| USS Woodrow Wilson | SSBN-624 | 31 hulls; all decommissioned; heavy asbestos in engine/missile compartments |
| USS Henry Clay | SSBN-625 | 31 hulls; all decommissioned; heavy asbestos in engine/missile compartments |
| USS Daniel Webster | SSBN-626 | 31 hulls; all decommissioned; heavy asbestos in engine/missile compartments |
| USS James Madison | SSBN-627 | 31 hulls; all decommissioned; heavy asbestos in engine/missile compartments |
| USS Tecumseh | SSBN-628 | 31 hulls; all decommissioned; heavy asbestos in engine/missile compartments |
| USS Daniel Boone | SSBN-629 | 31 hulls; all decommissioned; heavy asbestos in engine/missile compartments |
| USS John C. Calhoun | SSBN-630 | 31 hulls; all decommissioned; heavy asbestos in engine/missile compartments |
| USS Ulysses S. Grant | SSBN-631 | 31 hulls; all decommissioned; heavy asbestos in engine/missile compartments |
| USS Von Steuben | SSBN-632 | 31 hulls; all decommissioned; heavy asbestos in engine/missile compartments |
| USS Casimir Pulaski | SSBN-633 | 31 hulls; all decommissioned; heavy asbestos in engine/missile compartments |
| USS Stonewall Jackson | SSBN-634 | 31 hulls; all decommissioned; heavy asbestos in engine/missile compartments |
| USS Sam Rayburn | SSBN-635 | 31 hulls; all decommissioned; heavy asbestos in engine/missile compartments |
| USS Nathanael Greene | SSBN-636 | 31 hulls; all decommissioned; heavy asbestos in engine/missile compartments |
| USS Benjamin Franklin | SSBN-640 | 31 hulls; all decommissioned; heavy asbestos in engine/missile compartments |
| USS Simon Bolivar | SSBN-641 | 31 hulls; all decommissioned; heavy asbestos in engine/missile compartments |
| USS Kamehameha | SSBN-642 | 31 hulls; all decommissioned; heavy asbestos in engine/missile compartments |
| USS George Bancroft | SSBN-643 | 31 hulls; all decommissioned; heavy asbestos in engine/missile compartments |
| USS Lewis And Clark | SSBN-644 | 31 hulls; all decommissioned; heavy asbestos in engine/missile compartments |
| USS James K. Polk | SSBN-645 | 31 hulls; all decommissioned; heavy asbestos in engine/missile compartments |
| USS George C. Marshall | SSBN-654 | 31 hulls; all decommissioned; heavy asbestos in engine/missile compartments |
| USS Henry L. Stimson | SSBN-655 | 31 hulls; all decommissioned; heavy asbestos in engine/missile compartments |
| USS George Washington Carver | SSBN-656 | 31 hulls; all decommissioned; heavy asbestos in engine/missile compartments |
| USS Francis Scott Key | SSBN-657 | 31 hulls; all decommissioned; heavy asbestos in engine/missile compartments |
| USS Mariano G. Vallejo | SSBN-658 | 31 hulls; all decommissioned; heavy asbestos in engine/missile compartments |
| USS Will Rogers | SSBN-659 | 31 hulls; all decommissioned; heavy asbestos in engine/missile compartments |
VA Benefits & Legal Options for Lafayette/James Madison/Benjamin Franklin SSBN Veterans
Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural plaques, or asbestos-related lung cancer who served aboard Lafayette/James Madison/Benjamin Franklin SSBN 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 Ballistic Missile Submarines › 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 Lafayette/James Madison/Benjamin Franklin SSBN ships use asbestos?
Yes. The Lafayette/James Madison/Benjamin Franklin SSBN 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 Lafayette/James Madison/Benjamin Franklin SSBN 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 Lafayette/James Madison/Benjamin Franklin SSBN ships?
Common asbestos products used in U.S. Navy ballistic missile submarines 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 Lafayette/James Madison/Benjamin Franklin SSBN?
If you or a family member served aboard Lafayette/James Madison/Benjamin Franklin SSBN, 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 ›