USS Leyte (CV-32)

The USS Leyte (CV-32) was the third U.S. Navy ship with this name. Built by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company in Newport News, Virginia, the USS Leyte was an Essex-class aircraft carrier originally called the Crown Point. Renamed in 1944 and launched a year later, she carried 100 aircraft and more than 3,400 crew members.

Service in the Korean War
The USS Leyte performed many fleet exercises and training cruises in the Atlantic and Caribbean, and four Mediterranean deployments. In 1951, the aircraft of the Leyte flew more than 3,900 sorties against the North Korean forces. The Leyte was converted In 1952 to an antisubmarine carrier.

Scrapped in 1970
Two battle stars were awarded to the USS Leyte for her Korean service. In 1970, after decades of service to her country, the USS Leyte was retired and sold for scrap.

The 1970s were the decade when federal regulators finally started to issue strict asbestos limitations. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) became active, but the U.S. Navy was lagging behind on implementing safety precautions regarding asbestos exposure among shipbuilding personnel and ship crews.

Asbestos Limits Came Far Too Late
The eventual implementation by the Navy of asbestos limits came far too late for the people who helped build, maintain, repair and crew the USS Leyte. Many of these individuals were subjected to extensive asbestos exposure for years at a time as part of their daily work. In addition, the family members of workers with asbestos fibers on their clothing may have been subjected to toxic asbestos exposure.

Lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) are common results of serious asbestos exposure. These diseases often do not appear until years — even decades — after the asbestos exposure, and thus many Navy vets are only now being diagnosed.

If You Worked On or Served Aboard the USS Leyte Fifty years after service on the USS Leyte or other Navy vessels, crew members and shipyard workers have been experiencing the debilitating symptoms of asbestos-related diseases. If you or your family member had a role involving the USS Leyte, consult an asbestos attorney to discuss your concerns.