Are Kankakee AO-39 veterans covered by Navy asbestos litigation records?

Yes. Kankakee AO-39 is documented in the public U.S. Navy asbestos litigation record. U.S. Navy vessels of her service era were built to BUSHIPS specifications that required asbestos insulation throughout engineering spaces, on steam lines, around boilers and turbines, and in gasket and packing materials.

Which shipboard components on Kankakee AO-39 contained asbestos?

Asbestos-containing materials documented aboard U.S. Navy vessels of Kankakee AO-39's era include: boiler insulation and lagging, steam-line pipe insulation, turbine and reduction-gear casings, valve packing, gaskets, brake and clutch friction materials, electrical wire insulation, overhead pipe coverings in berthing and mess spaces, and Navy-issue boiler cement and refractory in fireboxes.

What ratings were exposed to asbestos serving on Kankakee AO-39?

Navy ratings with the highest documented asbestos exposure include Machinist's Mate (MM), Boiler Technician (BT), Hull Maintenance Technician (HT), Engineman (EN), Electrician's Mate (EM), Interior Communications Electrician (IC), Damage Controlman (DC), and Pipefitter / Shipfitter. Officers in engineering departments also encountered asbestos in normal duty. Shipyard workers performing overhaul, repair, or refit work had concentrated exposure during yard periods.

What equipment manufacturers are documented on Kankakee AO-39?

Documented equipment manufacturers aboard Kankakee AO-39 include: American Blower Corp., American Engineering Co., Andale Co., Atlas Valve Co., Atwood & Morrill Co., Bethlehem Steel Co. (Bethlehem-Sparrows Point), Carrier Corp.. These manufacturers supplied boilers, turbines, pumps, valves, electrical equipment, and insulation systems through BUSHIPS contracts during the asbestos era.

Do Kankakee AO-39 veterans qualify for VA disability for mesothelioma?

Potentially. VA evaluates asbestos-related disability claims individually. Kankakee AO-39 veterans generally need medical records showing the current disease, service records supporting in-service asbestos exposure, and a doctor's statement connecting the two. Veterans may file at VA.gov, call 1-800-827-1000, or seek free help from an accredited Veterans Service Organization such as DAV, VFW, or the American Legion.

USS Kankakee (AO-39) — Equipment Reference & Asbestos Exposure Record

USS Kankakee (AO-39) was a Kennebec-class fleet oiler, built by Bethlehem, Sparrows Point, and, like every steam-powered warship of her era, carried asbestos insulation, gaskets, and packing throughout her machinery and piping spaces.

The equipment reference below is hull-specific and primary-source — transcribed from the ship’s own Navy construction, equipment-certification, and material-inspection records. It is not a secondary Wikipedia summary; each entry cites the record that ties the manufacturer to this hull.

Equipment Reference

Equipment Manifest — USS Kankakee (AO-39). 34 machinery/equipment entries identified through ship-specific BUSHIPS documentation. Manufacturers in bold link to documented asbestos-product history on AsbestosIndex.com.

Equipment	Manufacturer	Qty	Notes
Main propulsion turbine (cross-compound, H.P. & L.P. units)	General Electric Co.		Hull-specific record: as-built machinery/spare-parts allowance book for S.S. Colina (ex-name of AO-39), Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Shipyard Hull 4358 / MC hull 146, 1942 — titled 'MAIN PROPULSION TURBINE (G.E. Co.)' EC-58102.
Main reduction gear (double-reduction)	General Electric Co.		Hull-specific record: as-built allowance book for S.S. Colina (ex-AO-39), Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Hull 4358, 1942 — titled 'REDUCTION GEAR (G.E. Co.)' EC-58102; bearing linings for H.P./L.P. pinions and H.S./L.S. gears, main thrust bearing.
Turning-gear flexible coupling (#11-C)	Falk Corp.	1	Hull-specific record: as-built allowance book for S.S. Colina (ex-AO-39), Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Hull 4358, 1942 — reduction-gear spares list, '1 Grid for #11-C Falk Cplg for Turning Gear' EC-58102.
300 KW turbine-geared ship's service generating sets (turbo-generators)	General Electric Co.		Hull-specific record: Electrical Spares allowance book for S.S. Colina (ex-AO-39), Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Hull 4358, 1942 — titled '300 KW TURBINE GEARED GENERATING SETS G.E.' EC-58051.
50 KW turbine generating set (auxiliary turbo-generator)	General Electric Co.		Hull-specific record: Electrical Spares allowance book for S.S. Colina (ex-AO-39), Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Hull 4358, 1942 — titled '50 KW TURBINE GENERATING SETS Gen. Elect.' EC-58052.
25 KW motor-generator set	General Electric Co.		Hull-specific record: Electrical Spares allowance book for S.S. Colina (ex-AO-39), Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Hull 4358, 1942 — titled 'Motor Generator Set 25 KW (General Electric)' EC-58050.
Gland exhauster (motor-driven, main turbine gland seal)	General Electric Co.		Hull-specific record: Electrical Spares allowance book for S.S. Colina (ex-AO-39), Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Hull 4358, 1942 — titled 'Gland Exhauster (G.E.)' EC-58086.
Main boilers (two-drum, high-pressure, with superheaters & economizers)	Foster Wheeler		Hull-specific record: CO USS KANKAKEE (A039) to Chief BuShips correspondence A039/S51 Serial 344, 24 Dec 1943 (with BuShips/ComServForPac endorsements) — 'The boilers on this vessel are two drum Foster Wheeler high-pressure type D with super heaters and economizers'; machinery index reports Foster Wheeler Type P.
Propeller shafting / tail shaft (O.H. steel, with coupling bolts)	Bethlehem Steel Co. (Bethlehem-Sparrows Point)		Hull-specific record: as-built allowance book for S.S. Colina (ex-AO-39), Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Hull 4358, 1942 — titled 'Shafting (B.S. Co.)' EC-53334.
Gland leak-off condenser and auxiliary condenser	Bethlehem Steel Co. (Bethlehem-Sparrows Point)		Hull-specific record: as-built allowance book for S.S. Colina (ex-AO-39), Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Hull 4358, 1942 — 'Gland Leak-Off Condenser (B.S. Co.)' EC-53330 and 'Condenser Auxiliary (B.S. Co.)' EC-53059.
Feed-water heaters	Elliott Co.		Hull-specific record: as-built allowance book for S.S. Colina (ex-AO-39), Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Hull 4358, 1942 — 'Heaters - Feed Water (Elliott)' EC-53158.
Auxiliary air ejector (main condenser)	Westinghouse		Hull-specific record: as-built allowance book for S.S. Colina (ex-AO-39), Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Hull 4358, 1942 — 'Auxiliary Air Ejector (Westinghouse)' EC-53162.
Feed-water filter (Paracoil) & grease extractors; lubricating-oil coolers	Davis Engineering Co.		Hull-specific record: as-built allowance book for S.S. Colina (ex-AO-39), Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Hull 4358, 1942 — 'Filters (Davis Eng. Co.)' EC-53047 and 'Coolers - Lub Oil (Davis Eng.)' EC-53163.
Lubricating-oil and fuel-oil strainers (suction/discharge)	Andale Co.		Hull-specific record: as-built allowance book for S.S. Colina (ex-AO-39), Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Hull 4358, 1942 — 'Strainers (Andale Co.)' EC-53185.
Lubricating-oil purifiers (centrifugal separators)	DeLaval		Hull-specific record: as-built allowance book for S.S. Colina (ex-AO-39), Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Hull 4358, 1942 — 'Purifiers - Oil DeLaval' EC-53058.
Refrigeration plant / ice machine (ammonia compressor & condenser)	Carrier Corp.		Hull-specific record: as-built allowance book for S.S. Colina (ex-AO-39), Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Hull 4358, 1942 — 'Refrigeration Plant (Carrier Corp.)' EC-53020 (ammonia compressor, condenser, ice-machine oil).
Feed, evaporator-feed, drinking-water, sanitary & wash-water pumps	Worthington		Hull-specific record: as-built allowance book for S.S. Colina (ex-AO-39), Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Hull 4358, 1942 — Main Feed (EC-53172), Evaporator Feed (EC-53055), Drinking Water (EC-53306), Wash-Water (EC-53055), all '(Worthington)'.
Sanitary pumps	Worthington	2	Hull-specific record: as-built allowance book for S.S. Colina (ex-AO-39), Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Hull 4358, 1942 — 'Sanitary Pump: (2 Pumps - 1 Set Spares)(Worthington)' EC-53086.
Fire & ballast pump (turbine drive) and fuel-oil transfer pump	Kinney		Hull-specific record: as-built allowance book for S.S. Colina (ex-AO-39), Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Hull 4358, 1942 — 'Fire and Ballast Pump (Kinney)' EC-53081 and 'Fuel Oil Transfer Pump (Motor Drive)(Kinney)' EC-53082.
Fuel-oil service pumps	Kinney	2	Hull-specific record: as-built allowance book for S.S. Colina (ex-AO-39), Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Hull 4358, 1942 — 'Fuel Oil Service Pump: (Kinney) (2 per ship; 1 set spares)' EC-53182.
Cargo oil pump (Model 500-B) and forward-pumproom bilge pump (Model 100-B)	National Transit Co.		Hull-specific record: as-built allowance book for S.S. Colina (ex-AO-39), Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Hull 4358, 1942 — 'Forward Pumproom Bilge (Model 100-B) (National Transit)' and cargo pump '(National Transit - Model 500-B)' EC-53087.
Lubricating-oil service pump (screw pump)	Dravo Corp.		Hull-specific record: as-built allowance book for S.S. Colina (ex-AO-39), Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Hull 4358, 1942 — 'Lub. Oil Service Pump: (Dravo Corp.)' EC-53184.
Steam-turbine drives for general-service / fire-&-ballast / cargo-stripping pumps (BK Model) and fuel-oil transfer (Model BB)	Whiton Machine Co. (Whiton Steam Turbine)		Hull-specific record: as-built allowance book for S.S. Colina (ex-AO-39), Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Hull 4358, 1942 — 'PUMP TURBINES ... (Whiton Steam Turbine)(BK Model)' EC-53088 and F.O. Transfer '(Whiton Steam Turbine)(Model BB)'.
Electric-motor gear/reduction drives for Kinney pumps (engine-room bilge, fuel-oil service, refrigerating plant)	Watson-Flagg Machine Co.		Hull-specific record: as-built allowance book for S.S. Colina (ex-AO-39), Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Hull 4358, 1942 — 'ENGINE ROOM BILGE: (Kinney Pump)(Watson-Flagg) Motor Gear' EC-53087, 'FUEL OIL SERVICE: (Kinney Pump)(Watson-Flagg)' EC-53182, 'REFRIGERATING PLANT: (Kinney Pump)(Watson-Flagg)' EC-53020.
Relief valves (turbo-generator & auxiliary exhaust atmospheric)	Atwood & Morrill Co.		Hull-specific record: as-built allowance book for S.S. Colina (ex-AO-39), Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Hull 4358, 1942 — 'Relief Valves (Atwood & Morrill Co.)' EC-53012.
Fuel-oil by-pass relief valve (1-1/2 in.)	Atlas Valve Co.		Hull-specific record: as-built allowance book for S.S. Colina (ex-AO-39), Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Hull 4358, 1942 — '1-1/2" Fuel Oil by-Pass (Atlas Valve Co.)' EC-53217.
Auxiliary-exhaust back-pressure valve and low-pressure bleeder-control valve	Ruggles-Klingemann Mfg. Co.		Hull-specific record: as-built allowance book for S.S. Colina (ex-AO-39), Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Hull 4358, 1942 — '6" Auxiliary Exhaust Back-Pressure (Ruggles-Klingemann)' EC-53218 and '5" Low Pressure Bleeder Control (Ruggles-Klingmann)' EC-53219.
Main feed-water regulator (with gauge glass)	H. Belfield Co.		Hull-specific record: as-built allowance book for S.S. Colina (ex-AO-39), Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Hull 4358, 1942 — '...ain Regulator (H. Belfield Co.)' EC-53014 (title partly cropped in scan; entry includes spare gauge glass).
Ship's whistle, feed/salt/fresh-water heater temperature regulators, and pressure-reducing valves	Leslie Co.		Hull-specific record: as-built allowance book for S.S. Colina (ex-AO-39), Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Hull 4358, 1942 — 'Whistle (Leslie)' EC-53011, 'Regulators - Salt/Fresh Water Heater Temp (Leslie)' EC-53003-4, 'Valves - Pressure Reducing (Leslie)' EC-53052.
Cargo-oil piping gate valves (C.I. bronze-mounted, Tobin-bronze non-rising stems, 3"-12")	Walworth Co.		Hull-specific record: as-built allowance book for S.S. Colina (ex-AO-39), Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Hull 4358, 1942 — 'SPARE VALVES - CARGO OIL PIPING (Walworth Co.)' EC-53111 (12", 10", 8", 4", 3" parallel-seat wedge gate valves).
Anchor windlass (steam)	American Engineering Co.		Hull-specific record: as-built allowance book for S.S. Colina (ex-AO-39), Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Hull 4358, 1942 — 'Deck Machinery: Windlass (Amer. Eng. Co.)' EC-53094.
Forced-draft blower (boiler room)	American Blower Corp.		Hull-specific record: Electrical Spares allowance book for S.S. Colina (ex-AO-39), Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Hull 4358, 1942 — 'Forced Draft Blower (Amer. Blower)' EC-53156.
Air compressor	Ingersoll-Rand		Hull-specific record: Electrical Spares allowance book for S.S. Colina (ex-AO-39), Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Hull 4358, 1942 — 'Air Compressor (Ingersoll-Rand)' EC-53051.
Machine-shop 20" drill press — motor control gear	Cutler-Hammer, Inc.		Hull-specific record: Electrical Spares allowance book for S.S. Colina (ex-AO-39), Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Hull 4358, 1942 — 'Machine Shop Tools (Cutler-Hammer, Inc.) 20" Drill Machine' EC-53079.

Source: these 34 equipment-and-manufacturer entries were transcribed from the primary Navy records for USS Kankakee (AO-39). Per public litigation records, the machinery aboard ships of this type — boilers, steam turbines, pumps, valves, and their asbestos insulation, gaskets, and packing — allegedly contained asbestos. This is a documentary reference published by an independent publisher; it is not legal advice.

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 Kankakee

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:

Boilerman (BT) — boiler-room operations, refractory work, burner maintenance
Machinist’s Mate (MM) — main propulsion turbines, reduction gears, condensers, pumps
Engineman (EN) — auxiliary diesel and gasoline engines, gland packing
Electrician’s Mate (EM) — cable runs through asbestos-insulated chases, motor-generator sets
Hull Maintenance Technician (HT) / Pipefitter — piping system maintenance, gasket replacement, valve repacking
Damage Controlman (DC) — firefighting equipment, fire-stops, bulkhead penetrations
Fireman (FN) — engineering-plant tending across boiler and engine rooms

VA Disability Claims for Asbestos-Related Disease

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs evaluates asbestos claims individually. A veteran generally needs medical evidence of a current asbestos-related disease, service evidence supporting in-service asbestos exposure, and a medical opinion connecting the two. Ship assignments, Navy ratings, and equipment records can help document the exposure history but do not create automatic service connection.

Approved claims may provide monthly disability compensation and related benefits. Survivors may separately qualify for Dependency & Indemnity Compensation when the applicable requirements are met. Civil lawsuits and asbestos-trust claims use different standards; claimants should obtain individualized advice about how the processes interact.

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.