Evidence
6 evidence entries recorded; each entry has a stable permalink (#ev-1 … #ev-6).
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[1]research packet gl-packet.md (2 sources cited) [other_primary]
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- Identity packet verdict: VERIFIED
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Evidence ID
- uss-j-william-ditter-dd751-pkt-gl-packet-md
-
[2]Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS), J. William Ditter (DM-31), Naval History and Heritage Command [nhhc_danfs]
- Locator
- DANFS entry, identification paragraph and service-history paragraphs on 6 June 1945 through decommissioning
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- DANFS identifies Ditter as launched DD-751 on 4 July 1944 by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Co., Staten Island; reclassified DM-31 on 19 July 1944; commissioned 28 October 1944 at New York Navy Yard; and classified Robert H. Smith. It gives design complement 336. It records Okinawa operations, the 6 June 1945 kamikaze attack, loss of power, tow by Ute to Kerama Retto the following day, return to New York, decommissioning 28 September 1945, and scrapping in July 1946.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-27
- Study period
- 1944-1946
- Limitations
- This historical entry supports vessel particulars and operational history only. It does not document asbestos-containing materials, shipboard asbestos locations, worker exposure, or present material condition.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-j-william-ditter-dd751-01
-
[3]NHHC H-Gram 049-1, “Victory at Okinawa,” section “J. William Ditter and Harry F. Bauer, 6 June 1945” [nhhc_danfs]
- Locator
- Section “J. William Ditter and Harry F. Bauer, 6 June 1945”
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- NHHC describes Ditter as one of twelve Allen M. Sumner-class destroyers converted to Robert H. Smith-class destroyer minelayers and states that the ship was commissioned 28 October 1944. Its account of 6 June 1945 reports a kamikaze attack, damage to the port side amidships, loss of power, and 10 dead and 27 wounded.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-27
- Study period
- 1945-06-06
- Population
- Ditter crew during the Okinawa operation
- Limitations
- This NHHC historical account provides operational and casualty context. It does not document asbestos-containing materials or crew exposure to asbestos.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-j-william-ditter-dd751-02
-
[4]Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS), Ute (AT-76), Naval History and Heritage Command [nhhc_danfs]
- Locator
- Ute DANFS service-history paragraph describing assistance to Ditter after the 6 June attack
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- The DANFS history of tug Ute independently states that Ute went to the assistance of J. William Ditter (DM-31) after the light minelayer had been attacked by Japanese suicide aircraft and towed the damaged ship to Kerama Retto.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-27
- Study period
- 1945-06
- Limitations
- This is corroboration of the rescue and tow, not a source about Ditter’s construction materials or asbestos exposure.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-j-william-ditter-dd751-03
-
[5]Research review of NHHC DANFS Ditter entry and related NHHC operational histories [nhhc_danfs]
- Locator
- Review of full DANFS Ditter entry and related NHHC H-Gram and Ute DANFS history
- Finding type
- asbestos_application
- Finding
- The reviewed NHHC histories document vessel identity and wartime operations but contain no ship-specific asbestos survey, abatement record, or ACM inventory. Asbestos documentation for this hull remains unknown based on these sources.
- Verification
- partial
- Role
- negative_finding
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-27
- Study period
- Sources reviewed through 2026-09-27
- Limitations
- This is a bounded negative finding about the specific Navy history sources reviewed, not proof that asbestos was absent or that no other ship-specific records exist. No class, era, propulsion, or litigation-site inference is used as proof of ACM aboard this hull.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-j-william-ditter-dd751-04
-
[6]Authenticated CourtListener API v4 search attempts via cl-auth-search.py; exact-name opinions and dockets, and hull-number opinions and dockets [court_record]
- Locator
- Helper diagnostics: authenticated requests started; later DD-751 docket request exited 2 with fleet pacing-budget stand-down; searched queries recorded in search_ledger
- Finding type
- litigation_documented
- Finding
- CourtListener searches were attempted for exact name “USS J. William Ditter” (opinion and docket searches) and hull number “DD-751” (opinion and docket searches) using authenticated API v4 through the fleet helper. The helper reported the fleet-wide pacing budget temporarily spent before a complete reviewable result set was returned. Litigation status is unresolved; no no-hit conclusion is drawn.
- Verification
- partial
- Role
- archival_lead
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-27
- Study period
- Search attempts 2026-09-27
- Limitations
- Incomplete search caused by the helper’s shared pacing-budget stand-down. No CourtListener results were reviewed or classified, so no conclusion about qualifying asbestos litigation can be made. Resume through the authenticated helper when it permits requests; do not infer absence from this blocked attempt.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-j-william-ditter-dd751-05