USS Wichita (AOR-1), the lead ship of the Wichita class replenishment oilers, was commissioned at General Dynamics Quincy in June 1969 and served in the Pacific Fleet. Wichita provided underway replenishment of fuel oil, aviation fuel, dry cargo, and munitions to carrier battle groups and surface action groups throughout the Pacific and Indian Oceans during the Cold War. Wichita participated in numerous carrier battle group deployments and sustained naval operations in the Pacific during the Vietnam War era. Wichita’s steam propulsion plant drove steam turbines at speeds sufficient to keep pace with the battle groups she served. Commissioned in 1969, Wichita incorporated asbestos-containing boiler insulation, steam pipe insulation, turbine insulation, and hull construction materials consistent with the late 1960s construction period.

USS Wichita Steam Plant and Construction Asbestos

Wichita’s large steam propulsion plant and hull construction incorporated asbestos throughout:

  • Boiler insulation — Wichita’s boilers were insulated with asbestos-containing boiler casing insulation consistent with late 1960s construction specifications. Engineering ratings accumulated asbestos exposure operating Wichita’s high-speed steam plant through her Pacific Fleet service
  • High-pressure steam pipe insulation — the steam mains and extensive auxiliary steam piping throughout Wichita’s engineering spaces incorporated asbestos-containing pipe insulation consistent with late 1960s naval construction specifications
  • Propulsion turbine insulation — Wichita’s main propulsion turbines incorporated asbestos-containing turbine casing insulation consistent with late 1960s specifications
  • Fuel transfer stations and cargo spaces — Wichita’s fuel transfer systems, cargo holds, and crew berthing were constructed using hull construction materials of the late 1960s building period incorporating asbestos-containing materials

VA Claims for USS Wichita Veterans

VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) covers asbestos exposure from Navy replenishment ship service. Machinist’s Mates, Boilermen, Storekeeper ratings, and crew members who served aboard USS Wichita and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.

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 Wichita

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.