The USS Hector Association receives inquiries each year from former crewmates and/or their spouses for information pertaining to the association of mesothelioma cancer and service on the USS Hector AR-7.  The following is prepared to present only a small part of the vast information on the subject and is not intended to serve as a legal source.

Mesothelioma is a very rare form of lung cancer.  It is also found to be a cancer of the addomen/stomach and the heart.  It may be difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because many of the mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of a number of other conditions, including lung cancer and other types of cancer.  Although there is no early detection test for mesothelioma, there are several tests which may be conducted in making the diagnosis of mesothelioma.  These include, but are not limited to, chest X-rays, a CT scan, or MRI scan.
As in many US Navy ships built during World War II, the USS Hector had a large amount of asbestos installed within its hull.  Ranging from insulation around pipes, valves, and ventilation ducts to other materials where its use was not so apparent.  The different materials and pieces either made completely of asbestos or containing asbestos fibers includes the following:  boiler room equipment, electrical insulation, gaskets, pumbling/pipe insulation, pumps, standard multipurpose cloth, and turbines to mention a few.  By the pure nature of the Hector’s assigned mission, many of her crew were exposed to these materials from projects sent from other ships for repair, etc.

By 1989, legislation was created to regulate the use of asbestos in most situations, though it is still permitted in some products.

As earlier explained, this information is not intended to serve as a legal or definitive source on the subject.  If you have been knowingly subjected to asbestos, or think you have, early annual medical screening should be conducted by your doctor.

The long latency period of this disease means individuals might not be aware of past exposure for as many as five decades later, when symptoms finally begin to appear.

For more information on the subject you may call the Mesothelioma Resource Online at 1-855-584-0411 or visit many of the sites on the web including:  www.mesothelioma-lung-cancer.org; www.AsbestosAction.org; www.mesothelioma-attorney-locators.com; or Mesothelioma and the Navy

The Court of Veterans Appeals ruled August 16 in the case of a Navy veteran who had appealed an earlier decision by the Board of Veterans' Appeals on his Agent Orange disability claim.  The veteran, Mr. Jonathan L. Haas, had claimed service connection for diabetes mellitus and other conditions due to exposure to dioxin (Agent Orange) while serving aboard a Navy vessel during the Vietnam War.  The Board denied his claim, since VA regulations limited potential service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicides only to veterans who actually set foot in Vietnam.  "Blue Water" sea service veterans have long maintained that the "on-shore only" rules were arbitrary and unfair.

The Court essentially swept away the VA's rule.  In reversing the Board's decision in Haas' case, the Court said the law was "not clear on its face concerning the meaning of the phrase 'service in the Republic of Vietnam'" [emphasis added].  It said the law doesn't "limit [application of the] presumption of service-connection for herbicide exposure to those who set foot on the soil of the Republic of Vietnam."

Specific diseases the VA presumes to be service-connected for qualifying Vietnam service include diabetes mellitus (Type II), Hodgkin's disease, prostate cancer, multiple myeloma, certain birth defects such as spina bifida in the children of Vietnam veterans, and chronic and lymphocytic leukemia.  Click here for a complete listing and related information.

The Court did not actually award a disability to Haas, but sent his case back to the Board for that determination.  If the Board rules in his favor, the Court directed that his other Agent Orange-related medical conditions also must be compensated.

What does the ruling mean for others?  The implication of the court ruling is that all who received a Vietnam Service Medal and who contract one of the listed diseases could expect the VA to rule that disease as service-connected.

However, the VA can appeal the Court's decision.  MOAA recommends that members and other veterans like Mr. Haas who served offshore but did not set foot in Vietnam, and who suffer from diseases or conditions that they believe to be caused by exposure to Agent Orange should consider filing a claim for disability.  Members who have had such claims denied may wish to re-file based on the Court's decision.  We strongly recommend that veterans seek the advice and assistance of an experienced veterans' service organization before proceeding.

There are many ports of call that Hector made during her 43 years, but if you folks don't send me some pictures, these ports can't be represented.  Does anyone have any Decommissioning Photos?

Photos of stuff going on aboard or nearby the ship is interesting, too.  If need be, you can mail them to me for scanning & I will return them to you.  Please don't send "buddy" pictures.  Over 16,000 served aboard Hector in her 43 years.  Photos with people in them are OK, but individuals will not be identified.  Please, on reunion photos - don't send several photos of the same group of folks.  Posting several photos of one group isn't fair to others.

When I took over the role of Webmaster in Jan 2003, I had almost no experience in creating or maintaining a website.  I guess Bob Lea, co-host of the 2002 reunion and creator of the fledgling website, figured I had the pride and enthusiasm to do right by it.  Those of you who have been with us since then will have noticed the many changes & hope you will feel they have been improvements.  I don't receive a nickel for doing what I've done (nor do any of the other volunteers who make everything happen).

Our dues are $15 for 2 years, which helps support everyhing that goes on, from newsletters, to website, to reunions.  How many of you belong to the VFW or American Legion and are paying $20-$25 each year to support them?  Don't worry.  There will be more wars and more members to support these organizations.  They even take non-veterans now.

It is believed that over 16,000 served aboard Hector during her 43 years in commission.  But there will never be any more new Hector crewmates.  In fact, our numbers get smaller as the years go by, as our shipmates pass on.  So, you see, we are all members of a very Special Organization, and one you should take pride in.  The USS Hector has reunions with at least twice the numbers of attendees of our sister ships, Ajax & Jason.  Isn't that proof we are the best & deserve your support?  Won't you help support your Organization?

Dennis Stahl 69-72 (HT3) DC Shop