USS Thorn (DD-988) is documented in the public U.S. Navy asbestos litigation record. A ship-specific BUSHIPS equipment manifest has not yet been published for this vessel in our records.

The standard asbestos-containing materials documented aboard U.S. Navy vessels of this era, the Navy ratings most exposed during normal duty, and the VA presumptive-benefits framework are listed below and apply to any sailor who served in an engineering, hull, or damage-control rate aboard a Navy ship of this period.

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Documented Asbestos Records — Spruance-Class Corpus Evidence

The publicly filed asbestos litigation record specifically addresses asbestos insulation on Spruance-class destroyer turbines in deposition testimony and expert analysis. As a member of the 30-ship Spruance class, USS Thorn (DD-988) operated the same GE LM2500 gas turbine propulsion system documented in litigation across the entire class.

Gas Turbine Asbestos Insulation — Named Class Documentation

“Asbestos insulation on destroyer turbines” — direct corpus documentation of asbestos insulation specifically on destroyer turbines, appearing in multiple independent litigation documents. “Of thirty Spruance Class destroyers” — the full 30-ship class is named in this corpus entry, establishing that the asbestos documentation applies across all Spruance hulls including USS Thorn (DD-988).

“Amosite asbestos insulation [in destroyer propulsion spaces]” — amosite specifically identified in the Spruance-class destroyer turbine context. Amosite was the standard high-temperature insulation fiber in Navy engineering spaces and carries the highest mesothelioma risk of the common asbestos fiber types.

Flexitallic Gaskets and Westinghouse Products

“Flexitallic gaskets for the gas turbine” — Flexitallic spiral-wound metallic-asbestos gaskets documented in the LM2500 gas turbine application, requiring routine changeout by GSM and MM personnel at every flanged connection in the propulsion system. “Westinghouse also sold asbestos-containing [products]” in the destroyer propulsion context, establishing that Westinghouse-supplied shipboard equipment included asbestos-containing components.

Asbestos Blankets and Cloth

“Asbestos blankets [on turbine components]” and “asbestos cloth [on pump turbines]” — removable asbestos insulation blankets on exhaust systems, gearboxes, and auxiliary turbines, and asbestos cloth on pump turbines, establishing asbestos-containing materials throughout the propulsion spaces where GSMs, MMs, and HTs worked.

VA Benefits for USS Thorn (DD-988) Veterans

VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) applies to USS Thorn (DD-988) veterans with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, or pleural disease. The Spruance-class-specific corpus documentation — including named-class testimony, amosite identification, and Flexitallic gasket records — establishes the exposure pathway for all 30 hulls in the class.

Free, confidential case evaluation: Speak with O’Brien Law Firm — (314) 936-2956

Documented asbestos records derived from publicly filed asbestos litigation addressing the Spruance class of destroyers. This does not constitute legal or medical advice.

Product & Manufacturer Reference

The asbestos-containing products documented on U.S. Navy vessels and at shipyards are catalogued by manufacturer on AsbestosIndex. These records cross-reference which companies supplied which materials and to which facilities.

Pipe Covering & Block Insulation Thermal insulation applied to steam lines, valves, and equipment in engine rooms and fire rooms Marine Products Insulation, gaskets, and packing products specified for naval and commercial marine applications Boilers & Steam Equipment Boiler manufacturers and insulation products — central to the fire room exposure pathway Gaskets & Packing Sheet and ring gaskets used throughout piping flanges, valve bonnets, and pump housings Electrical Products Wire insulation, switchgear arc chutes, and panel liners used throughout electrical spaces Full Product Index Search all 200+ manufacturers and 1,500+ documented asbestos products on AsbestosIndex™

Navy Ratings Most Exposed to Asbestos Aboard Thorn

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the public asbestos litigation record document that the following Navy ratings worked routinely in spaces where ACM was installed, maintained, ripped out, and replaced:

VA Presumptive Benefits — No Filing Deadline

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, and pleural disease as conditions presumed to be service-connected for Navy veterans with documented asbestos exposure under 38 CFR § 3.309(d). No statute of limitations applies to VA disability compensation claims.

Available benefits may include monthly disability compensation, Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for surviving spouses, priority VA healthcare enrollment, and Special Monthly Compensation for severe cases. Parallel claims against the asbestos bankruptcy trust funds established by the manufacturers of these products do not reduce VA compensation.

How to file a VA disability claim: VA claims are filed directly with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — not with a law firm. Start at VA.gov › Hazardous Materials Exposure, call 1‑800‑827‑1000, or get free help filing from a Veterans Service Organization: DAV, VFW, or American Legion.

VA Claims Guide on This Site › Compare: VA vs. Civil Lawsuit

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.