The USS Kestrel (AMc-5) was a Bird-Class 2 coastal minesweeper launched in 1938. It was commissioned on January 21, 1941, and served in the U.S. Navy for 4 years until it was decommissioned on October 29, 1945. During its activity, the ship had a complement of 19 men on board and its main missions within the 1st Naval District, removing the mines located in the minefields in the water so that other ships could pass safely. On August 5, 1946, the ship was delivered to the War Shipping Administration. Between the 1930s and mid-70s, asbestos was touted as ideal for a vast range of applications because it possesses remarkable properties such as strength, durability, resistance to chemical, thermal and biological degradation. Under the Department of Veteran Affairs, these veterans may be eligible for VA disability compensation benefits or healthcare benefits for any health problems they are experiencing that may be associated with asbestos exposure while serving in the U.S. Navy.
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