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USS Hamner (DD-718) off North Island, circa in the mid-1950sSource: Wikimedia Commons — public domain (U.S. Navy photograph)
Service History
From the public Wikipedia / DANFS service-history record — source ›
USS Hamner (DD-718) was a Gearing-class destroyer that served with the U.S. Navy from 1946 through the early 1970s, seeing significant action during the Korean War and Vietnam War. She participated in major Korean operations including the Inchon landings and subsequent bombardment and patrol missions, earning five battle stars and a Presidential Unit Citation. Following a FRAM modernization in 1962, Hamner deployed to Vietnam in 1965–1966, where she conducted shore bombardment, river operations, and convoy escort before being decommissioned in the 1970s and subsequently transferred to Taiwan.
Construction & Service Dates
Builder
Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Port Newark, New Jersey
Launched
1945-11-24
Commissioned
1946-07-12
Decommissioned
1970s
Notable Tours / Service Eras
Pacific Fleet operations 1946-1950
Korean War 1950-1953
Far East deployments 1953-1964
Vietnam War 1965-1966
Combat Actions
Evacuation of Yongdok· 1950 shore bombardment and troop support
Defense of Pohang Dong· 1950 shore bombardment and troop support
Inchon amphibious operations· 1950-09 task force screening
Kojo shore bombardment· 1952-03 east coast bombardment
Siege of Wonsan Harbor· 1953 blockade and bombardment
Operation Market Time· 1965-05 shore bombardment and patrol
Rung Sat Special Zone operations· 1966 riverine bombardment
Operation Traffic Cop· 1966-11 vessel interdiction and gunfire
Home Ports & Forward Bases
San Diego, California — home port and training base
Subic Bay — forward base
Brisbane, Australia — August 1956
Melbourne, Australia — October 1957
Drydock & Overhaul Periods
High Asbestos-Exposure Window
San Francisco Ship Yard· 1962 Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) overhaul
Hunter's Point· 1965 overhaul
Asbestos rip-out, insulation replacement, and gasket-packing work occurred during these yard periods. Sailors aboard during overhauls had peak exposure to airborne asbestos fiber.
Notable Incidents
26 October 1966 — provided emergency cooling water assistance to USS Oriskany (CVA-34) during carrier fire
14 November 1966 — received enemy shore battery fire off Vietnam; no damage sustained
19 November 1966 — received enemy shore battery fire off Vietnam; no damage sustained
Final Disposition
Sold to Taiwan on 17 December 1980; renamed ROCS Yun Yang (DD-927); sunk as target 6 September 2005
USS Hamner (DD-718) is a documented U.S. Navy destroyer with asbestos-exposure evidence in the public litigation record. The equipment manifest below was assembled from depositions, expert reports, and manufacturer interrogatory responses filed in U.S. asbestos litigation that reference equipment installed aboard this vessel.
Equipment Manifest
Equipment Manifest — USS Hamner (DD-718). 6 machinery/equipment entries identified through ship-specific BUSHIPS documentation. Manufacturers in bold link to documented asbestos-product history on AsbestosIndex.com.
Note: this manifest is derived from public asbestos litigation records (depositions, expert reports, manufacturer interrogatories) rather than primary BUSHIPS construction documents. Entries reflect what has been documented or alleged in publicly filed legal records.
AsbestosIndex™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.
Navy Ratings Most Exposed to Asbestos Aboard Hamner
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:
Fireman (FN) — engineering-plant tending across boiler and engine rooms
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.
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.
Documented Asbestos-Exposure Environments — U.S. Navy Service
Public-domain U.S. Navy photographs illustrating the engineering spaces, ratings, and yard environments where asbestos materials were routinely encountered during normal duty.
All images are public domain (U.S. Government works). Specific photographs depict generic Navy engineering and yard environments — not the named vessel above. Asbestos materials shown or implied include pipe lagging, boiler insulation, steam-line covering, and gasket / packing materials standard on U.S. Navy vessels through the early 1980s.
Hamner DD-718 — Frequently Asked Questions
Are Hamner DD-718 veterans covered by Navy asbestos litigation records?
Yes. Hamner DD-718 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 Hamner DD-718 contained asbestos?
Asbestos-containing materials documented aboard U.S. Navy vessels of Hamner DD-718'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 Hamner DD-718?
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 Hamner DD-718?
Documented equipment manufacturers aboard Hamner DD-718 include: Warren, Warren Pumps. These manufacturers supplied boilers, turbines, pumps, valves, electrical equipment, and insulation systems through BUSHIPS contracts during the asbestos era.
Do Hamner DD-718 veterans qualify for VA disability for mesothelioma?
Yes. Mesothelioma is recognized by the VA as service-connected for veterans with documented Navy service and qualifying asbestos exposure. Hamner DD-718 veterans (or surviving family) typically file at VA.gov, by phone at 1-800-827-1000, or with assistance from a Veterans Service Officer through DAV, VFW, or American Legion. Civil claims against asbestos product manufacturers are separate from VA benefits — many veterans pursue both paths.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this site. References to ships, shipyards, companies, products, and asbestos-containing materials are drawn from public VA records, NARA archives, EPA/OSHA databases, and public litigation records. All references reflect what has been documented or alleged in publicly filed records. Consult a licensed physician for medical guidance and a qualified attorney for legal advice regarding your specific situation.
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