USS Lyman K. Swenson (DD-729) is documented in the public U.S. Navy asbestos litigation record. A verified equipment manifest with 13 machinery and manufacturer entries is published on her ship-specific page: Lyman K. Swenson DD-729 Equipment Manifest ›.

The standard asbestos-containing materials documented aboard U.S. Navy vessels of this era, the Navy ratings most exposed during normal duty, and the VA presumptive-benefits framework are listed below.

Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer — Class Background

Ship-specific service history is not available for this vessel in public records. The class-level information below applies to all ships in her class. Source: Wikipedia — Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer

The Allen M. Sumner class comprised 58 destroyers built by the United States between 1943 and 1945, representing a significant improvement over the preceding Fletcher class with enhanced firepower, dual rudders, and expanded anti-aircraft armament. Four ships were lost during World War II, and the surviving vessels served in the U.S. Navy into the 1970s before being decommissioned and transferred to foreign navies; today, USS Laffey remains as a museum ship in Charleston, South Carolina.

Class Overview

Total Ships in Class
58
Construction Era
1943-1945
Service Era
World War II through 1970s

Class Mission & Role

Fast attack destroyers that served as fleet escorts, radar picket ships, and gunfire support vessels during World War II and the Cold War era.

Class Combat Operations

  • Battle of Okinawa
  • Vietnam War

Asbestos Materials in this Class

The article does not document asbestos use in this class. Standard pre-1980 U.S. Navy construction included asbestos in pipe lagging, boiler insulation, gaskets, and habitability spaces.

VA Benefits for USS Lyman K. Swenson (DD-729) Veterans

VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) applies to USS Lyman K. Swenson (DD-729) veterans with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, or pleural disease. The Allen M.

Free, confidential case evaluation: Speak with O’Brien Law Firm — (314) 936-2956

Documented asbestos records derived from publicly filed asbestos litigation addressing the Allen M. Sumner class of destroyers. This does not constitute legal or medical advice.

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 Lyman K. Swenson

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.