USS America

The USS America, a superclass carrier, was built in 1965 at Newport News, Virginia, by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Corp. With more than 5,000 enlisted men and officers, the USS America was a huge carrier, and she served very admirably until 1996 in various capacities in places including:

 the Guantanamo Naval Base (after Hurricane Inez)
 Vietnam
 Lebanon
 Libya
 Operation El Dorado Canyon
 Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm

The USS America received five battle stars, and was retired early because of a major power-plant failure.

The USS America and Asbestos Exposure
It is likely that the USS America had many asbestos-containing parts. Thus, the individuals who helped to build this supercarrier at Newport News, those who worked on her maintenance and repairs, and those who served on board may have been exposed to a dangerous level of asbestos, a proven carcinogen.

Asbestos may have been present in the sleeping quarters, mess hall, navigation rooms, and many other locations aboard the America. The manufacture of the America would have involved welding and other applications that used asbestos. Thousands of Navy veterans and shipyard workers had contact with the USS America, and many may have contracted an asbestos disease during their work.

Asbestos-related Diseases and Navy Veterans
Navy veterans have a much higher incidence of asbestos-related diseases compared to the general population — diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. This higher incidence is most likely due to the widespread use of asbestos in the construction and service of all Navy vessels.

If you served as a sailor, marine or officer aboard the USS America, or if you helped to build or maintain the America during its years of service, you may have been exposed to a high, unsafe level of the carcinogenic mineral asbestos. Talk to a knowledgeable asbestos attorney about your rights.