USS America (CV-66) — Asbestos Aboard the Kitty Hawk Class Carrier

USS America (CV-66), third ship of the Kitty Hawk class aircraft carriers, was commissioned at Newport News Shipbuilding in January 1965. America served in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets, deploying to the Mediterranean with the Sixth Fleet and to the Western Pacific for Vietnam War combat operations — conducting air strikes against North Vietnam during multiple Westpac deployments beginning in 1968. America also conducted extensive Cold War operations in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Indian Ocean before her decommissioning in 1996. America was the only Atlantic Fleet carrier to conduct a complete Vietnam War combat deployment, flying off the coast of North Vietnam during her 1968 and later deployments. America’s conventional steam propulsion plant — eight Babcock & Wilcox boilers and four sets of Westinghouse geared turbines — provided propulsion through her 31-year service. Commissioned in 1965, America incorporated asbestos-containing boiler insulation, steam pipe insulation, turbine insulation, and hull construction materials throughout her engineering spaces consistent with mid-1960s naval construction specifications.

USS America Steam Plant Asbestos

America’s eight-boiler steam plant incorporated extensive asbestos throughout:

• Babcock & Wilcox boiler insulation — America’s eight Babcock & Wilcox boilers were insulated with asbestos-containing boiler casing insulation, steam drum insulation, and firebox refractory materials consistent with mid-1960s naval construction specifications. Boilermen working in America’s eight firerooms accumulated asbestos exposure from the boiler insulation throughout her service life
• High-pressure steam main pipe insulation — the high-pressure steam mains throughout America’s engineering spaces incorporated asbestos-containing pipe insulation consistent with 1965 naval construction specifications. Engineering ratings working in America’s machinery spaces encountered steam main insulation throughout the propulsion plant
• Main propulsion turbine insulation — America’s four Westinghouse main propulsion turbine sets incorporated asbestos-containing turbine casing insulation consistent with mid-1960s construction. Machinist’s Mates performing turbine maintenance worked in proximity to asbestos-containing turbine insulation
• Steam catapult and aviation support steam systems — America’s steam catapult systems and the extensive aviation support steam distribution system incorporated asbestos-containing pipe insulation and valve packing throughout the steam system serving aviation operations

USS America Hull Construction Asbestos

America’s mid-1960s construction incorporated asbestos throughout:

• Crew berthing and interior spaces — America’s crew berthing areas and living spaces for her large complement were constructed using mid-1960s naval construction specifications incorporating asbestos-containing floor tile, overhead insulation, and bulkhead construction materials
• Engineering and propulsion spaces — the engineering spaces and propulsion plant compartments aboard America were constructed using mid-1960s naval construction incorporating asbestos-containing materials consistent with the construction specifications of that period

VA Claims for USS America Veterans

VA evaluates asbestos-related disability claims on a case-by-case basis. Veterans generally need evidence of in-service asbestos exposure, a current asbestos-related diagnosis, and a medical link between them. Machinist’s Mates, Boilermen, and crew members who served aboard USS America 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.