USS Midway (CV-41) is documented in the U.S. Navy asbestos litigation record. Publicly filed expert testimony and deposition records identify specific asbestos-containing equipment and products aboard this vessel.

Documented Asbestos Products — Litigation Record

Boilers — Babcock & Wilcox: Twelve Babcock & Wilcox boilers, covered with asbestos-containing insulation. Expert testimony (Captain Arnold Moore, licensed PE) states: “During the 1940s, when MIDWAY was built, and continuing into the 1970s, asbestos containing materials were the most commonly utilized materials for insulation, gaskets and packing for pumps, valves, turbines and other machinery and components.”

Main propulsion turbines — Westinghouse: Four Westinghouse geared turbines developing 212,000 combined horsepower. Turbines insulated with asbestos-containing materials throughout construction era.

Valves — Crane Co.: Crane Co. does not dispute its valves contained asbestos packing and gaskets aboard USS Midway. Publicly filed Illinois litigation argued Crane intended for original gaskets/packing to be replaced with asbestos-containing replacements — constituting foreseeable post-sale asbestos exposure.

Documented crew — ratings and service periods:

  • Motor Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class — a Midway plank owner who served from the ship’s commissioning; died April 2012 from mesothelioma (asbestos-related cancer) after service aboard Midway
  • Navy veteran — served aboard USS Midway 1960–1961; plaintiff in publicly filed asbestos case against Crane Co. in Illinois

Expert testimony: Captain Arnold Moore established asbestos-containing materials called out in drawings and technical manuals prepared by equipment manufacturers, covering insulation, gaskets, and packing for pumps, valves, turbines, and other machinery from construction through the 1970s.

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References to equipment, manufacturers, and litigation history reflect what has been alleged or documented in publicly filed asbestos litigation. This does not constitute a finding of fact or liability. This site does not provide legal or medical advice.

Navy Ratings Most Exposed to Asbestos Aboard Midway

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 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.

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.