Are Valdez FF-1096 veterans covered by Navy asbestos litigation records?

Yes. Valdez FF-1096 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 Valdez FF-1096 contained asbestos?

Asbestos-containing materials documented aboard U.S. Navy vessels of Valdez FF-1096'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 Valdez FF-1096?

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 Valdez FF-1096?

Documented equipment manufacturers aboard Valdez FF-1096 include: Admiral Corp., American Standard, Andale Co., Aqua-Chem, Inc., Aqua-Chem, Inc. (Davis Engineering Div.), Atlas Valve Co., Blackmer. These manufacturers supplied boilers, turbines, pumps, valves, electrical equipment, and insulation systems through BUSHIPS contracts during the asbestos era.

Do Valdez FF-1096 veterans qualify for VA disability for mesothelioma?

Potentially. VA evaluates asbestos-related disability claims individually. Valdez FF-1096 veterans generally need medical records showing the current disease, service records supporting in-service asbestos exposure, and a doctor's statement connecting the two. Veterans may file at VA.gov, call 1-800-827-1000, or seek free help from an accredited Veterans Service Organization such as DAV, VFW, or the American Legion.

USS Valdez (FF-1096) — Equipment Reference & Asbestos Exposure Record

Read the video transcript

Did you serve aboard the USS Valdez? This frigate carried asbestos in nearly every compartment. Here is where it was, and who is responsible. The USS Valdez, hull number FF-1096, was a frigate, built by Avondale Shipyard and commissioned in 1974. She served through Cold War Mediterranean, Cold War Mediterranean, and Cold War North Atlantic and NATO. Public naval references list this equipment aboard the USS Valdez, FF-1096 — insulated and sealed with asbestos. Each shipyard overhaul and major repair meant asbestos insulation was torn out and replaced — peak-exposure work for the yard workers and the crew aboard. Exposure was worst in the engineering spaces, where the snipes worked — but asbestos lined the whole ship, so all hands were exposed. The companies that made the asbestos equipment aboard — not the Navy — are who asbestos claims are brought against. According to asbestos litigation records, the equipment aboard the USS Valdez from makers such as Combustion Engineering, and Westinghouse allegedly contained asbestos. If you served aboard the USS Valdez and were later diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or another asbestos-related disease, you may have a legal claim against the companies that made the asbestos products used aboard your ship. This is educational information from an independent publisher — not a law firm — and is not legal advice.

USS Valdez (FF-1096) (DE-1096 → FF-1096 in 1975) was a Knox-class frigate, built by Avondale Shipyards, and, like every steam-powered warship of her era, carried asbestos insulation, gaskets, and packing throughout her machinery and piping spaces.

The equipment reference below is hull-specific and primary-source — transcribed from the ship’s own Navy construction, equipment-certification, and material-inspection records. It is not a secondary Wikipedia summary; each entry cites the record that ties the manufacturer to this hull.

Equipment Reference

Equipment Manifest — USS Valdez (FF-1096). 58 machinery/equipment entries identified through ship-specific BUSHIPS documentation. Manufacturers in bold link to documented asbestos-product history on AsbestosIndex.com.

Equipment	Manufacturer	Qty	Notes
Main boilers (V2M type, header type)	Combustion Engineering	2	Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP transmittal EX-1078-24 (21 May 1969, Contract N00024-67-C-0220, P.O. DE-5512), 'Soot Blowers for Main Boilers', manufacturer Combustion Engineering, ships 'DE 1078 THRU 1097' - distribution grid lists PCO DE 1096 receiving a copy (Valdez hull explicitly enumerated).
Boiler soot blowers	Copes-Vulcan		Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP transmittal EX-1078-24 (P.O. DE-5512), Combustion Engineering main-boiler soot blowers, Copes-Vulcan Dwgs X-74221/74223/87595/87597/87598/87599/87600/87601, ships 'DE 1078 THRU 1097' with PCO DE 1096 on the distribution grid (Valdez explicitly enumerated).
Main propulsion turbine (H.P. steam turbine)	Westinghouse Electric Corp.	1	Hull-specific record: DE 1078 Class H.P. Bearing Alignment Record (Westinghouse Marine Div., Sunnyvale CA), Page 4 lists DE-1096, H.P. turbine S/N 50V2019, inspected 9-16-70 at Sunnyvale (distinct from DE-1085 Beary S/N 50V2008 and DE-1097 Moinester S/N 50V2020); Avondale transmittal AJN-SSNO 3151 (P.O. DE-5510), 'H.P. Turbine', vendor Westinghouse Electric, DE 1078 Class (20 vessels).
Main reduction gear (propulsion)	Western Gear Corp.	1	Hull-specific record: Avondale ltr DE1078-3416-SHK (4 Jan 1971) and Western Gear Corp. (Lynwood CA) Material Review Board Action Request (16 Dec 1970), Contract N00024-67-C-0220 P.O. DE-5511, 'MAIN REDUCTION GEAR', Ocean Escorts DE 1078 Class (20 vessels = DE 1078-1097, incl. DE-1096).
Ship service turbine generator (SSTG, 750 KW)	Westinghouse Electric Corp.		Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-7910 (30 Dec 1969, P.O. DE-5510) '750 KW T.G. Set', Westinghouse Electric Corp., DE 1078 Class; NAVSEC ltr Ser 198 DE 1052/1078 Class SSTG Set Gimpel throttle-valve pilot-valve spring replacement (Westinghouse Sunnyvale), DE 1052/1078 class (incl. DE-1096).
SSTG attached lube oil pump (IMO type 2E1X-187)	DeLaval (IMO Pump)		Hull-specific record: NAVSEC 1st Endorsement Ser 260 (DDG37CL) - 'DeLaval IMO type 2E1X-187 pumps ... are installed in FF1052-1097' (APL #016160562) as SSTG attached lube oil pump (FF-1096 within the FF1052-1097 range).
Emergency diesel generator set (750 KW)	Stewart & Stevenson Services		Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-7909 (30 Dec 1969, P.O. DE-5530) '750 KW Diesel Generator Set', Stewart & Stevenson Services, DE 1078 Class (20 vessels = DE 1078-1097, incl. DE-1096).
Main forced draft blowers (turbine-driven)	Hardie-Tynes Mfg. Co.	4	Hull-specific record: Avondale ltr DE1078-1413-FDH (30 Dec 1968, P.O. DE-5516) and NAVSHIPS travel report DE 1078 CL/9530 Ser 330 (21 Sep 1970) - 'Four forced draft blowers are installed on each ship ... eighty units required for the DE 1078 Class ships' (twenty DE 1078 Class ships = DE 1078-1097, incl. DE-1096); Hardie-Tynes Mfg. Co., Birmingham AL.
Forced draft blower lube-oil pump	Tuthill Pump Co.		Hull-specific record: Avondale ltr DE1078-1413-FDH (P.O. DE-5516), Hardie-Tynes forced draft blower, Tuthill Pump Co. drawings (3571-D pump assembly, 8800-C housing, 8798-B idler carrier, etc.) for FD blower lube oil pump, DE 1078 Class (DE 1078-1097, incl. DE-1096).
Forced draft blower steam strainer	Strong		Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-6966 (9 Oct 1968, P.O. DE-5516), Hardie-Tynes forced draft blowers steam strainer - Strong Dwg TA-17844, 1500 PSI special cast steel strainer, DE 1078 Class (DE 1078-1097, incl. DE-1096).
Main air ejector and gland exhaust condenser	Foster Wheeler Corp.	1	Hull-specific record: Foster Wheeler Corp. (Livingston NJ) Approval & Procurement Record for NAVSHIPS 0946-010-7010 (P.O. DE-5515), 'Main Air Ejector and Gland Exhaust Condenser', ships 'DE-1078 Through DE-1097', 20 units (incl. DE-1096); SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-2582 (5 Apr 1968), DE 1078 Class.
Distilling plant (12,000 GPD flash type)	Aqua-Chem, Inc.		Hull-specific record: NAVSHIPS ltr Ser-126-PMS-380 (Feb 1971), AQUA-CHEM 12,000 GPD flash distilling plant - technical manual NAVSHIPS 0958-014-8010 'is also applicable to the DE-1078-1097' (incl. DE-1096).
Distilling plant brine overboard eductor	Schutte & Koerting		Hull-specific record: NAVSHIPS ltr Ser-126-PMS-380, AQUA-CHEM distilling plant brine overboard eductor (Schutte & Koerting Dwg 65-X5054-J), technical manual applicable to DE-1078-1097 (incl. DE-1096).
Distiller distillate pump motor	Reliance Electric Company	2	Hull-specific record: Reliance Electric Co. (Cleveland OH) Electric Motor Certification Data 86761-51A (Contract N00024-67-C-0220, order DE-5502), 'Distiller Distillate Pump', Ship Identification 'DE-1078 thru DE-1097', 2 per ship, driven auxiliary Aqua-Chem Inc. (incl. DE-1096).
Instantaneous hot water heater (Model 2D-32C)	Aqua-Chem, Inc. (Davis Engineering Div.)		Hull-specific record: Aqua-Chem Inc. (Davis Engineering Div.) ships drawings 613 B 7721 / 700 D 7631 (Instantaneous Water Heater 2D-32C, PARACOIL), vessel-number list top row 'DE-1078 THRU DE-1097' (Avondale, N00024-67-C-0220, P.O. DE-5546); SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-017 DE 1052 & DE 1078 Class (incl. DE-1096).
Hot water heater compressed-asbestos gasket (Garlock 7021)	Garlock		Hull-specific record: Aqua-Chem water heater 2D-32C master drawing 700 D 7631 (vessel list DE-1078 THRU DE-1097), gasket item 4 material 'comp. asbestos' per MIL-I-1472, Garlock 7021 (incl. DE-1096).
Hot water heater thermostatic temperature regulating valve	Lawler Automatic Controls, Inc.		Hull-specific record: Lawler Automatic Controls Inc. (Mount Vernon NY) Certification Data Sheet dwg 1504-D / 1360-D, thermostatic regulating valves for hot water heaters, vessel list 'DE-1078 THROUGH DE-1097' (Avondale, incl. DE-1096).
Hot water heater solenoid valve (Model MV-224)	Marotta Valve Corp.		Hull-specific record: Aqua-Chem dwg 613 B 7721 fittings list (water heater 2D-32C, DE-1078 THRU DE-1097), solenoid valve Marotta Valve Corp. Model MV-224 (incl. DE-1096).
Hot water heater strainer	Mueller Steam Specialty		Hull-specific record: Aqua-Chem dwg 613 B 7721 fittings list (water heater 2D-32C, DE-1078 THRU DE-1097), strainer Mueller Steam Specialty #352-1/2 per MIL-S-2953 (incl. DE-1096).
Hot water heater flow switch	Gems Co., Inc.		Hull-specific record: Aqua-Chem dwg 613 B 7721 fittings list (water heater 2D-32C, DE-1078 THRU DE-1097), flow switch Gems Co. Inc. Part No. 25912 (incl. DE-1096).
Hot water heater temperature and low-pressure switches	American Standard		Hull-specific record: Aqua-Chem dwg 613 B 7721 fittings list (water heater 2D-32C, DE-1078 THRU DE-1097), temperature switch American Standard Model NL (TS-1420) and low-pressure switch American Standard Model NB-4 (TS-1421) (incl. DE-1096).
Hot water heater pilot light	Drake		Hull-specific record: Aqua-Chem dwg 613 B 7721 fittings list (water heater 2D-32C, DE-1078 THRU DE-1097), pilot light Drake 5100-202-110 w/ NE-51 bulb (incl. DE-1096).
Auxiliary steam turbine (Type 'JDH')	Worthington Corp. (Turbine Division)		Hull-specific record: Worthington Corp. Turbine Div. (Wellsville NY) Type 'JDH' turbine Plan List LA-64200 (Rev E), 'Applicable Vessels & Contracts' lists Contract N00024-67-C-0220 vessel numbers 'DE-1078,79,80,81,82,83,84,85,86,87,88,89,90,91,92,93,94,95,96,97' (P.O. DE-5501, Avondale) - DE-1096 explicitly enumerated.
JDH turbine oil cooler / strainer unit	Andale Co.		Hull-specific record: Worthington Type JDH turbine Plan List LA-64200 Group 23.1 (Andale Co. oil cooler, strainer unit), Contract N00024-67-C-0220 'Applicable Vessels' enumerating DE-1096 (P.O. DE-5501, Avondale).
JDH turbine auxiliary lube oil pump	Blackmer		Hull-specific record: Worthington Type JDH turbine Plan List LA-64200 Group 23.2 (Blackmer auxiliary lube oil pump), Contract N00024-67-C-0220 'Applicable Vessels' enumerating DE-1096 (P.O. DE-5501, Avondale).
JDH turbine auxiliary lube oil pump motor	Reliance Electric Company		Hull-specific record: Worthington Type JDH turbine Plan List LA-64200 Group 23.2A (Reliance electric motor for auxiliary lube oil pump, dwg 87251), Contract N00024-67-C-0220 'Applicable Vessels' enumerating DE-1096 (P.O. DE-5501, Avondale).
JDH turbine hand oil pump	Deming Company		Hull-specific record: Worthington Type JDH turbine Plan List LA-64200 Group 23.3 (Deming Company hand oil pump), Contract N00024-67-C-0220 'Applicable Vessels' enumerating DE-1096 (P.O. DE-5501, Avondale).
JDH turbine low pump suction safety trip and constant pressure control	Hagan		Hull-specific record: Worthington Type JDH turbine Plan List LA-64200 Groups 23.4 and 23.10 (Hagan Low Pump Suction Safety Trip; Hagan Constant Pressure Control System), Contract N00024-67-C-0220 'Applicable Vessels' enumerating DE-1096 (P.O. DE-5501, Avondale).
JDH turbine low oil pressure alarm and aux oil pump motor control contactors	American Standard		Hull-specific record: Worthington Type JDH turbine Plan List LA-64200 Groups 23.5 and 23.6 (Am. Standard Low Oil Pressure Alarm Contactor; Aux. Oil Pump Motor Control Contacter), Contract N00024-67-C-0220 'Applicable Vessels' enumerating DE-1096 (P.O. DE-5501, Avondale).
JDH turbine control starter for auxiliary oil pump	General Electric		Hull-specific record: Worthington Type JDH turbine Plan List LA-64200 Group 23.8 (General Electric Control Starter for Auxiliary Oil Pump, dwg 139-B-6383), Contract N00024-67-C-0220 'Applicable Vessels' enumerating DE-1096 (P.O. DE-5501, Avondale).
JDH turbine oil-operated trip valve with integral strainer	Gimpel		Hull-specific record: Worthington Type JDH turbine Plan List LA-64200 Group 23.12 (Gimpel Oil Operated Trip Valve with Integral Strainer, dwg NP-415), Contract N00024-67-C-0220 'Applicable Vessels' enumerating DE-1096 (P.O. DE-5501, Avondale).
JDH turbine thermometers and gauges	Manning, Maxwell & Moore		Hull-specific record: Worthington Type JDH turbine Plan List LA-64200 Groups 23.13 and 23.15 (M.M.&M. Thermometers; M.M.&M. Gauges), Contract N00024-67-C-0220 'Applicable Vessels' enumerating DE-1096 (P.O. DE-5501, Avondale).
JDH turbine sight flow indicators	Schutte & Koerting		Hull-specific record: Worthington Type JDH turbine Plan List LA-64200 Group 23.14 (Schutte & Koerting Sight Flow Indicators, dwg 65-G-101-M), Contract N00024-67-C-0220 'Applicable Vessels' enumerating DE-1096 (P.O. DE-5501, Avondale).
Main feed pump (turbine-driven)	Worthington Corp.		Hull-specific record: Avondale ltr Serial DE 1078-7084-FSF (22 Nov 1972, Ocean Escorts DE 1078 Class Vessels) - 'alignment of the Worthington main feed pumps' per Worthington TM 0947-107-8010, Dwg RW-140700 (DE 1078 Class = DE 1078-1097, incl. DE-1096).
Main feed pump (Fairbanks Morse dwg 99K4B-S)	Fairbanks Morse		Hull-specific record: Avondale ltr Serial DE 1078-7084-FSF (P.O. DE-5509), Fairbanks Morse centrifugal pumps for DE 1078 Class Vessels - Main Feed Pump outline dwg 99K4B-S (incl. DE-1096).
Main condensate pump (2 per ship)	Fairbanks Morse	2	Hull-specific record: DE 1078 Class Shipalt, 'Modification of Main Condenser Condensate Pump Foundations', Ship Type & Class/Hull No. 'DE 1078 to DE 1097 inclusive', two condensate pumps; Fairbanks Morse outline dwg 99K4B-T (incl. DE-1096).
T/G condensate pump and fresh-water drain pump	Fairbanks Morse		Hull-specific record: Avondale ltr Serial DE 1078-7084-FSF, Fairbanks Morse centrifugal pumps for DE 1078 Class - T/G Condensate 99K1.5T-L, Fresh Water Drain 99K1.5T-M (incl. DE-1096).
Fire pumps	Fairbanks Morse		Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-1795 (19 Apr 1972, P.O. DE-5509) DE 1078 Class fire pumps; Fairbanks Morse / Colt Industries fire pump master dwg 99D5D-BT; COMCRUDESPAC Ser 427 DE 1052/1078 class fire pump maintenance notes (incl. DE-1096).
Fire pumps	Buffalo Forge		Hull-specific record: COMCRUDESPAC speedletter Ser 427 (11 Dec 1974) 'DE 1052/1078 class Fire Pump Mechanical Seals' (ref NAVSHIPS ltr 9470 Ser 1156) - seals stocked for 'Buffalo Forge and Fairbanks-Morse firepumps' (DE 1052/1078 class, incl. DE-1096).
Fire pump mechanical seals	John Crane Packing Company		Hull-specific record: COMCRUDESPAC Ser 427 (DE 1052/1078 class fire pump maintenance notes) - John Crane Packing Company mechanical seals (bellows K-Buna, carbon washer, carbide seat) for Buffalo Forge and Fairbanks-Morse firepumps (incl. DE-1096).
Turbo-generator circulating pump	Fairbanks Morse		Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240 (25 Jun 1968, P.O. DE-5509) DE 1078 Class, Fairbanks Morse Turbo. Gen. Circ. Pump outline dwg 99F6B-A (incl. DE-1096).
ASROC heating circulating pump and electronic cooling pump	Fairbanks Morse		Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-5646 (11 Sep 1969, P.O. DE-5509) DE 1078 Class, Fairbanks Morse Asroc Heating Circ. Pump & Electronic Cooling Pump (dwgs 99F1.5D-U/W/X/Y) (incl. DE-1096).
Motor-driven main fuel oil service pump	DeLaval Turbine, Inc.		Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240 (14 Dec 1968, P.O. DE-5507) DE 1078 Class, 'Motor-Driven Main Fuel Oil Service Pump', DeLaval Turbine Inc., NAVSHIPS 0947-141-2010 (incl. DE-1096).
Bilge, F.O. tank stripping and emergency F.O. transfer pump	Worthington Corp.		Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-1557 (5 Mar 1969, P.O. DE-5501) DE 1078 Class, 'Bilge & F.O. Tank Stripping & Emergency F.O. Transfer Pump', Worthington Corp., NAVSHIPS 0947-141-5010 (incl. DE-1096).
Prairie/Masker air compressor (Turbo-Compressor TC-702)	Worthington Corp.		Hull-specific record: Avondale ltr DE1078-1434-CHC (4 Jan 1969) and SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-5531 (8 Sep 1969, P.O. DE-5501), 'Prairie Masker Air Compressor', Worthington Turbo-Compressor TC-702 (dwg 1-H-2500), 'applicable ships (DE 1078 thru 1097)', 40 units (incl. DE-1096).
Prairie/Masker air compressor fresh-water cooler	American Standard		Hull-specific record: Avondale ltr DE1078-1434-CHC, Prairie Masker Air Compressor (P.O. DE-5501), American Std F.W. cooler dwg 4M424X11, DE 1078 Class (incl. DE-1096).
Prairie/Masker air compressor motor controller	Cutler-Hammer		Hull-specific record: Avondale ltr DE1078-1434-CHC, Prairie Masker Air Compressor (P.O. DE-5501), Cutler-Hammer controller certification data dwg 6922CD474, DE 1078 Class (incl. DE-1096).
Prairie/Masker air compressor motor	Reliance Electric Company		Hull-specific record: Avondale ltr DE1078-1434-CHC, Prairie Masker Air Compressor (P.O. DE-5501), Reliance Elec. Co. motor certification data dwg A-87252-1, DE 1078 Class (incl. DE-1096).
Steering gear pump controller (drip-proof AC magnetic controller, 75 HP)	Cutler-Hammer, Inc.	2	Hull-specific record: Cutler-Hammer Inc. (Milwaukee) Certification Data A6962CD3600 (order CF344385B, Avondale P.O. DE-5503), drip-proof AC magnetic controller for steering gear pump, 40 units total / 2 per vessel / 20 vessels (DE 1078 class = DE 1078-1097); NAVSHIPS ltr Ser 195 Class Item DE 1052-95 states 'for the DE-1078-1097 ships' (incl. DE-1096).
Steering gear pump driven auxiliary unit	Smith-Meeker		Hull-specific record: Cutler-Hammer Certification Data A6962CD3600 (P.O. DE-5503), 'Driven Aux. Unit (Smith-Meeker)' for steering gear pump, 20 vessels (DE 1078 class = DE 1078-1097, incl. DE-1096).
Control / pressure regulator valves	Atlas Valve Co.		Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-6896 (4 Oct 1968, Avondale P.O. DE-1218 & DE-5570), Atlas Valve Co. (Newark NJ) control / pressure regulator valves (dwgs NAP 859 / NAP 860), DE 1052 Class & DE 1078 Class (incl. DE-1096).
Low-pressure desuperheater	Gimpel Machine Works		Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-106 (4 Jan 1971, P.O. DE-832 & DE-5547), Gimpel Machine Works '5-inch Line Desuperheater with Control Equipment' (Dwg NP-675), DE 1052 Cl & DE 1078 Cl (incl. DE-1096).
Desuperheater thermoswitch	Fenwal		Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-106 (P.O. DE-832 & DE-5547), Fenwall Dwg 17823-2 thermoswitch on the low-pressure desuperheater, DE 1052 Cl & DE 1078 Cl (incl. DE-1096).
150-15 psi reducing station (2-inch GKM reducing valve)	Leslie Co.		Hull-specific record: NAVSHIPS ltr Ser-188-PMS-380 (1971), 'DE-1078-1097; Acceptance Trial Item IIK36mp, 150-15 psi reducing station' - Leslie 2-inch GKM valve (Leslie Topper Class GK valve) (incl. DE-1096).
Ship's-service-generator / bus-tie circuit breakers (type AQB-A1601)	Westinghouse Electric Corp.		Hull-specific record: NAVSEC ltr Ser 601-PMS 380 (7 Dec 1970, DE 1052 and DE 1078 Class Ships) - Westinghouse type AQB-A1601 circuit breaker 'is installed on the subject ships for ship's service generator and bus tie applications' (incl. DE-1096).
Battery chargers	Bogue Electric Mfg. Co.		Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-3690 (9 Jun 1969, A.S.I. P.O. DE-5926), Bogue Electric Mfg. Co. battery chargers (dwg DG-0178-01 Rev C), DE 1078 Class (incl. DE-1096).
Local interior-communication (I.C.) switchboards	Westinghouse Electric Corp.		Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-5903 (22 Aug 1968, P.O. DE-5532), Westinghouse Electric Corp. local I.C. switchboards, Contract N00024-67-C-0220 DE-1078 Class (incl. DE-1096).
Radar distribution switchboard (SB-1505/SP)	Admiral Corp.		Hull-specific record: NAVSEC Naval Speedletter DE 1078CL/5000 Ser 1767 (26 Nov 1969) - 'DE 1078 Class, SB-1505/SP Radar Distribution Switchboard', Admiral Corp. (incl. DE-1096).

Source: these 58 equipment-and-manufacturer entries were transcribed from the primary Navy records for USS Valdez (FF-1096). Per public litigation records, the machinery aboard ships of this type — boilers, steam turbines, pumps, valves, and their asbestos insulation, gaskets, and packing — allegedly contained asbestos. This is a documentary reference published by an independent publisher; it is not legal advice.

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 Valdez

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:

Boilerman (BT) — boiler-room operations, refractory work, burner maintenance
Machinist’s Mate (MM) — main propulsion turbines, reduction gears, condensers, pumps
Engineman (EN) — auxiliary diesel and gasoline engines, gland packing
Electrician’s Mate (EM) — cable runs through asbestos-insulated chases, motor-generator sets
Hull Maintenance Technician (HT) / Pipefitter — piping system maintenance, gasket replacement, valve repacking
Damage Controlman (DC) — firefighting equipment, fire-stops, bulkhead penetrations
Fireman (FN) — engineering-plant tending across boiler and engine rooms

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.