USS Truxtun (DLGN-35/CGN-35) — Asbestos in the Nuclear Guided Missile Frigate

USS Truxtun (DLGN-35, later redesignated CGN-35 in 1975), commissioned on May 27, 1967, was a nuclear-powered guided missile frigate and the only ship of her class, serving as a nuclear-powered escort for attack carrier battle groups. Built by New York Shipbuilding Corporation in Camden, New Jersey, Truxtun used two D2G pressurized water reactors providing steam to two geared steam turbine sets driving two shafts — the same reactor type used in the cruisers of the California class and Virginia class that followed. Truxtun was armed with a combination of Terrier and Standard Missile surface-to-air missiles, ASROC, and torpedo tubes. As a nuclear-powered escort ship, Truxtun could operate with nuclear carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and nuclear cruiser USS Long Beach (CGN-9) in nuclear task force operations requiring no liquid fuel replenishment. Built during the mid-1960s nuclear propulsion era, USS Truxtun incorporated asbestos-containing secondary steam system pipe insulation and hull construction materials consistent with the mid-1960s construction specifications of her commissioning period.

Truxtun Nuclear Steam Plant Asbestos

Truxtun’s two-reactor nuclear steam plant incorporated asbestos in secondary steam systems:

• Secondary steam system pipe insulation — the secondary steam loop piping carrying high-pressure steam from the two D2G reactor steam generators to the main propulsion turbines and ship’s service turbine generators aboard Truxtun incorporated asbestos-containing pipe insulation consistent with the mid-1960s nuclear steam plant construction specifications. Engineering ratings working in Truxtun’s engine rooms accumulated background asbestos exposure from the secondary steam system pipe insulation during engineering watch standing
• Main propulsion turbine steam supply insulation — the steam supply headers and piping serving Truxtun’s main propulsion turbines incorporated asbestos-containing pipe insulation and valve insulation. MM(N) ratings maintaining main propulsion steam systems in Truxtun’s machinery rooms worked in proximity to the steam supply insulation during turbine maintenance
• SSTG steam supply pipe insulation — Truxtun’s ship’s service turbine generators were served by steam supply piping incorporating asbestos-containing insulation consistent with the mid-1960s construction specifications

Truxtun Hull Construction Asbestos

Truxtun’s mid-1960s construction incorporated asbestos throughout her hull:

• Engineering machinery room and pump room construction — Truxtun’s engineering spaces were constructed using mid-1960s construction materials incorporating asbestos-containing pipe insulation and construction materials in the engineering space overhead and bulkheads. Engineering ratings working in Truxtun’s engineering spaces accumulated background asbestos exposure from the construction materials throughout their engineering assignments
• Crew berthing and working space construction — the crew berthing compartments and working spaces throughout Truxtun’s hull were constructed using mid-1960s naval construction materials. Crew members serving aboard Truxtun during deployments accumulated background asbestos exposure from the ship’s interior construction

VA Claims for USS Truxtun Veterans

VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) covers asbestos exposure aboard Navy nuclear surface combatants. Officers and crew members who served aboard USS Truxtun (DLGN-35/CGN-35) and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.

Source notes: equipment-manifest entries (where shown) are sourced from public-record BUSHIPS (Bureau of Ships) documentation, NARA archives, and the public asbestos litigation record. Manufacturer attributions link to documented asbestos-product histories on AsbestosIndex.com where available. Nothing on this page constitutes medical or legal advice.