🔥 USS Forrestal (CV-59)

Asbestos Exposure: Post-Fire Cleanup Contamination

The USS Forrestal (CV-59), America’s first supercarrier, is remembered for one of the deadliest naval disasters in U.S. history—the 1967 flight deck fire that killed 134 sailors and injured 161 others. Beyond the immediate tragedy, the months of cleanup and repair that followed exposed thousands of sailors and shipyard workers to asbestos dust released from burned and damaged insulation, pipe lagging, and fireproof coatings.

This guide explains how asbestos exposure occurred during and after the Forrestal fire, which crews were most affected, and how veterans and families can pursue VA disability, asbestos trust-fund, and legal claims for resulting diseases.

📞 Need help filing a USS Forrestal asbestos claim? Call 800.291.0963 for free case assistance today.

🧭 Step 1: Asbestos Use Aboard the Forrestal

Commissioned in 1955, the Forrestal was built at a time when asbestos was heavily used for insulation and fireproofing.

Asbestos materials found throughout the ship:

• ⚙️ Steam lines, turbines, and engine-room piping.

• 🧱 Boiler insulation and lagging.

• 💨 Ventilation ducts and machinery spaces.

• 🔧 Wall panels, ceiling tiles, and bulkhead insulation.

• 🪖 Fireproof deck coatings and paint around hangars and catapults.

Goal: Understand that nearly every section of the Forrestal contained asbestos insulation before the fire.

📁 Step 2: The 1967 Fire and Asbestos Contamination

The July 29, 1967 fire ignited when a missile accidentally launched on deck, causing multiple explosions and burning jet fuel to spread throughout the carrier.

Aftermath exposure sources:

• 💨 Burned asbestos insulation turned into airborne dust.

• ⚙️ Damaged boilers, turbines, and ventilation ducts releasing loose fibers.

• 🧱 Cleanup crews scraping, washing, and welding in contaminated zones.

• 🧾 Long-term shipyard repairs at Subic Bay and Norfolk Naval Shipyard disturbing remaining insulation.

Goal: Recognize that exposure continued for months after the fire, not just during the event.

🏗️ Step 3: Who Was Exposed

Thousands of sailors and civilians took part in firefighting, damage control, and repairs.

Most-exposed personnel:

• 🧰 Firefighting teams and Damage Controlmen.

• ⚙️ Boiler Technicians and Machinist’s Mates working below decks.

• 💨 Aviation mechanics assisting cleanup on hangar and engine levels.

• 🧱 Shipyard repair workers at Subic Bay and Norfolk.

• 🩺 Medical and cleaning crews handling contaminated debris.

Goal: Identify your duty assignment or cleanup role for precise exposure linkage.

💼 Step 4: How Exposure Happened During Cleanup

Asbestos dust blanketed compartments throughout the ship.

Common exposure scenarios:

• 🔧 Removing burned insulation or lagging from pipes and walls.

• 💨 Sweeping debris or sanding surfaces without respirators.

• 🧱 Welding and cutting through fire-damaged sections.

• 🧾 Handling uniforms or gear covered in dust particles.

Goal: Document participation in post-fire repair or cleaning duties.

🩺 Step 5: Long-Term Health Effects

Asbestos exposure from the Forrestal cleanup can cause diseases decades after service.

Common diagnoses:

• 💀 Pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma.

• 🫁 Asbestosis and chronic lung scarring.

• 💬 Pleural plaques and recurrent effusions.

• 🩺 Lung, throat, and stomach cancers.

Goal: Obtain and preserve all medical documentation linking illness to shipboard exposure.

⚖️ Step 6: VA Disability Benefits for Forrestal Veterans

Veterans diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses qualify for 100% VA disability benefits.

VA compensation covers:

• 💰 Monthly tax-free payments.

• 🏥 Access to mesothelioma specialists within the VA network.

• 🕊️ DIC survivor benefits for dependents.

• ⚖️ Separate asbestos trust-fund and civil claims permitted.

Goal: File VA and trust-fund claims simultaneously for full financial recovery.

🧱 Step 7: Asbestos Trust-Fund & Civil Lawsuit Options

The Forrestal was built with materials supplied by multiple asbestos manufacturers.

Available legal remedies:

• ⚖️ Claims from 100+ asbestos trust funds.

• 💵 Civil lawsuits against product suppliers and contractors.

• 🧾 SSDI and workers’ compensation benefits for shipyard employees.

• 🕊️ Wrongful-death actions for surviving families.

Goal: Identify specific manufacturers or shipyard records linked to your case.

🧠 Step 8: Evidence That Strengthens Forrestal Claims

Records from the 1967 disaster and subsequent repairs are well-documented.

Helpful evidence:

• 🧾 Service records showing assignment aboard CV-59 in 1967.

• ⚙️ Damage control or repair logs from the fire aftermath.

• 💬 Witness statements from crew or shipyard staff.

• 🧱 Navy or EPA reports describing asbestos cleanup at Norfolk and Subic Bay.

Goal: Combine official reports with medical proof for strong claim validation.

🌈 Step 9: Cleanup and Decommissioning History

The Forrestal remained in service until 1993, undergoing multiple asbestos removals.

Notable abatement events:

• 🏗️ Post-fire cleanup (1967–1968).

• ⚙️ Major asbestos removal during refits in the 1980s.

• 🧾 EPA oversight during decommissioning and scrapping (2010s).

Goal: Use shipyard and EPA abatement records to verify historical exposure periods.

💬 Step 10: Getting Legal & Medical Support

Experienced asbestos attorneys can help reconstruct your service timeline and file all necessary claims.

Next steps:

• 🧭 Confirm your Forrestal assignment and post-fire duties.

• ⚙️ Gather diagnosis and exposure records.

• 🧾 File VA and trust-fund claims promptly.

• 📞 Call 800.291.0963 for free assistance.

Goal: Secure compensation and medical coverage before legal deadlines expire.

🤝 Where to Get Help

Our advocates assist Forrestal veterans and shipyard workers exposed during the 1967 fire and cleanup operations.

📞 Call 800.291.0963 now for a free case review.

🧭 Summary

The USS Forrestal (CV-59) remains one of the most documented asbestos exposure sites in naval history. Firefighting, cleanup, and repair efforts released dangerous asbestos fibers that continue to affect veterans decades later. Those diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or lung cancer can recover through VA disability, asbestos trust-fund, and civil claims.

Justice for Forrestal sailors begins with one call.
800.291.0963