The USS New Mexico (BB-40) was a New Mexico-class battleship laid down on October 14, 1915, and launched two years later on April 13, 1917, with the hull number BB-40. The ship received the name of New Mexico, one of the 50 states of America, it was commissioned on May 20, 1918, and carried a complement of 1,084 people on board. Due to its construction period, the vessel wasn’t able to participate in World War I and it participated in training exercises with the Pacific and Atlantic Fleets. Between the wars, the ship was used also for training exercises. During World War II, it had its main missions in the Atlantic Ocean, Attu, and Kiska, Marshall Islands, Palau Islands, Mariana Islands, Leyte, Okinawa, and Luzon. On July 19, 1946, the vessel was decommissioned after it served in the US Navy for 28 years. Because of its durable, fire-resistant properties, asbestos was widely used in the military from the 1930s through the 1970s. In addition to those who were exposed while serving in the Navy, many workers were exposed while building these ships and more are being exposed today as the same ships are being demolished. If you think you were exposed to asbestos while serving aboard the USS New Mexico (BB-40), you may be eligible to file an asbestos VA claim to receive compensation and health care benefits.
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