Navy Gunner’s Mates (GM) — the enlisted rating responsible for the maintenance, operation, and readiness of naval gun mounts, missile launcher systems, torpedo systems, and ordnance handling equipment aboard surface combatants — served aboard destroyers, cruisers, frigates, and carriers throughout the WWII and Cold War eras. GM ratings maintained gun mounts ranging from 5"/38 and 5"/54 caliber gun mounts on destroyers and cruisers to 16"/50 caliber gun turrets on battleships, along with guided missile launcher systems on Cold War surface combatants. Gunner’s Mates working in gun mount handling rooms, magazine spaces, and weapons system spaces encountered asbestos-containing materials in the electrical and hydraulic systems of gun mounts and missile launchers, and accumulated background asbestos exposure from the asbestos-insulated ship construction throughout the weapons spaces and magazine spaces where they performed ordnance maintenance duties.

Gun Mount Maintenance Asbestos

GM ratings maintaining naval gun mounts encountered asbestos in weapons system components:

  • 5"/38 and 5"/54 gun mount electrical insulation — the electrical power and control systems of Navy gun mounts — the 5"/38 caliber twin and single gun mounts on WWII destroyers and cruisers and the 5"/54 caliber single gun mounts on Cold War destroyers and frigates — incorporated asbestos-containing electrical wiring insulation in the gun mount power drives, hoist motors, and projectile and case fuze setters. Gunner’s Mates performing electrical maintenance in gun mount lower handling rooms and gun mount working chambers encountered asbestos-containing electrical insulation in gun mount electrical system components during maintenance and repair operations
  • Gun mount hydraulic system packing and gaskets — the hydraulic training and elevation drives of Navy gun mounts used asbestos-containing packing and gasket materials in the hydraulic system components of the gun mount training gear, elevation gear, and hydraulic power unit. GM ratings performing hydraulic system maintenance on gun mount hydraulic drive systems encountered asbestos-containing packing and gasket materials in the gun mount hydraulic system during maintenance and repair operations
  • 16-inch gun turret insulation — the 16"/50 caliber gun turrets aboard Iowa-class battleships (BB-61 through BB-64) incorporated extensive asbestos-containing insulation in the turret structure, with asbestos thermal insulation protecting electrical systems and hydraulic lines in the turret working chambers and powder handling spaces. Gunner’s Mates assigned to Iowa-class battleship gun turret maintenance accumulated sustained background asbestos exposure from the asbestos-insulated turret structure in addition to direct asbestos contact during turret system maintenance

Missile Launcher and Magazine Space Asbestos

GM ratings on guided missile ships encountered asbestos in weapons system spaces:

  • Guided missile launcher system maintenance — Cold War guided missile surface combatants equipped with Terrier, Tartar, Talos, and Standard Missile launcher systems incorporated asbestos-containing insulation and gasket materials in the launcher system hydraulic drives, magazine conveyor systems, and weapons handling equipment. Gunner’s Mates assigned to guided missile launcher maintenance on Cold War destroyers and cruisers performed maintenance in launcher system spaces incorporating asbestos-containing materials in weapons system electrical and hydraulic components
  • Magazine space construction — shipboard magazine spaces and weapons handling rooms aboard WWII-era and Cold War Navy vessels were constructed using ship interior construction specifications incorporating asbestos-containing building materials. GM ratings working in magazine spaces and weapons handling rooms accumulated background asbestos exposure from the asbestos-insulated magazine space construction throughout their shipboard magazine and weapons handling duties

VA Claims for Navy Gunner’s Mates

VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) covers asbestos exposure from Navy weapons system maintenance. Gunner’s Mates who performed gun mount, missile launcher, and ordnance handling equipment maintenance aboard naval vessels and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.