USS David R. Ray (DD-971), a Spruance class destroyer, was commissioned at Ingalls Shipbuilding in November 1977 and served in the Pacific Fleet throughout her career. David R. Ray participated in multiple Western Pacific deployments and in the 1991 Persian Gulf War — Operation Desert Storm — as part of the coalition naval forces. David R. Ray received Tomahawk VLS capability during her service life, providing the land-attack strike capability that was used extensively during Desert Storm. David R. Ray’s all-gas-turbine propulsion plant — four General Electric LM2500 gas turbines — provided propulsion through her service. Built in 1974–1977 at Ingalls Shipbuilding, David R. Ray incorporated hull construction materials and gas turbine exhaust system insulation consistent with the mid-to-late 1970s construction period.

USS David R. Ray Gas Turbine and Construction Asbestos

David R. Ray’s gas turbine propulsion plant and hull construction:

  • Gas turbine exhaust system insulation — the gas turbine exhaust ducting and uptake systems aboard David R. Ray carrying high-temperature exhaust from the LM2500 gas turbines incorporated thermal insulation materials consistent with mid-to-late 1970s naval construction specifications
  • Gas turbine module enclosures — the acoustic and thermal enclosures surrounding David R. Ray’s LM2500 gas turbine modules incorporated insulation materials consistent with the 1974–1977 construction specifications
  • Hull construction materials — David R. Ray’s crew berthing, combat systems spaces, and working areas were constructed using the hull construction materials of the mid-to-late 1970s building period

VA Claims for USS David R. Ray Veterans

VA evaluates asbestos-related disability claims on a case-by-case basis. Veterans generally need evidence of in-service asbestos exposure, a current asbestos-related diagnosis, and a medical link between them. Officers and crew members who served aboard USS David R. Ray 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 David R. Ray

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 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.