The USS Washington (BB-56) was a North Carolina-class battleship laid down on June 14, 1938, and launched on June 1, 1940. It was commissioned on May 15, 1941, under Capt. Howard H. J. Benson’s command with the hull number BB-56 and served in the US Navy for 6 years until it was decommissioned on June 27, 1947. During its activity, the ship carried a complement of 1,880 men on board and had its main missions in Southampton, Bremerton, Pearl Harbor, Leyte, the Philippines, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. After the decommissioning, the ship was struck from the Navy Register on June 1, 1960, and subsequently sold for scrapping. For the services brought to the country during World War II, the USS Washington received 13 battle stars.
The USS Washington (BB-56) was just one of many navy ships built at a time when asbestos was largely used in on-board equipment, including boilers, pumps, turbines, valves, and electrical components. Navy veterans recently diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, may qualify for special benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Filing an asbestos claim can help them cover medical expenses and secure the family’s future and well-being for years to come.
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