USS LSM(R)-190

Evidence

9 evidence entries recorded; each entry has a stable permalink (#ev-1 … #ev-9).

1. [1]research packet 519-packet.md [other_primary]

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   Identity packet verdict: VERIFIED

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Evidence ID

   uss-lsm-r-190-lsmr190-pkt-519-packet-md

2. [2]NavSource Online, USS LSM(R)-190 ship page (history/specifications; page notes its extract is from LSM-LSMR Amphibious Forces, Vol. II) [other_primary]

   Locator

   History and specifications blocks; lines/sections headed LSM(R)-188 Class Landing Ship Medium (Rocket)

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   USS LSM(R)-190 was laid down 27 August 1944 at Charleston Navy Yard, launched 21 September 1944, and commissioned 23 November 1944 with Lieutenant Richard H. Saunders, USNR, in command. NavSource records Asiatic-Pacific service with LSM Flotilla Nine, participation in the Okinawa Gunto operation from 26 March through 4 May 1945, and sinking by a Japanese kamikaze off Okinawa on 4 May 1945 while on radar-picket duty. It records five officers and 76 enlisted, 1,175 tons fully loaded, two Fairbanks Morse 38D81/8X10 diesel engines at 1,440 BHP each, twin screws, and the rocket/gun armament.

   Verification

   partial

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-09-30

   Study period

   1944-1945

   Population

   Charleston Navy Yard construction trades; ship's company; Okinawa operating crew

   Limitations

   Ship-specific historical and specification record, but the page identifies its history extract as a 1997 commercial unit-history compilation rather than a Navy archival original. It contains no asbestos or insulation content and does not establish material condition, exposure, or causation. NavSource gives the struck-from-register date as unknown.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-lsm-r-190-lsmr190-01

3. [3]Naval History and Heritage Command, H-Gram 046-2, Kikusui No. 5 [nhhc_danfs]

   Locator

   H-Gram 046-2 section 'Loss of Luce (DD-522) and LSM(R)-190 on Radar Picket Station No. 12'

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   NHHC records LSM(R)-190 at Radar Picket Station 12 on 4 May 1945 under Lieutenant Richard H. Saunders. It describes a Japanese aircraft crashing into the 5-inch gun mount, a second aircraft striking the upper engine-room level, subsequent uncontrolled fires, abandonment, and sinking at about 0850; it reports 14 dead and 18 wounded. NHHC also states that LSM(R)-190 was subsequently awarded a Navy Unit Commendation.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-09-30

   Study period

   1945-05-04

   Population

   LSM(R)-190 crew during the 4 May 1945 action

   Limitations

   Official NHHC operational history; it documents combat events and casualties, not asbestos, insulation, individual occupational exposure, or medical causation. It does not provide a wreck position or a material survey.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-lsm-r-190-lsmr190-02

4. [4]Naval History and Heritage Command, Navy Decorations and Awards Manual (1953), Part II, Unit Awards [nhhc_danfs]

   Locator

   Part II, unit-awards list, entry 'USS LSM (R) 190'

   Finding type

   historical_record

   Finding

   The NHHC unit-awards manual lists USS LSM(R) 190 for the Okinawa Operation and records a 7 April–1 May 1945 participation interval.

   Verification

   disputed

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-09-30

   Study period

   1945

   Population

   USS LSM(R) 190 crew

   Limitations

   Official Navy award reference, but its listed interval ends before the 4 May loss and differs from NavSource/NHHC operational chronology; the date discrepancy is preserved in gaps. It contains no asbestos information and does not establish exposure or causation.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-lsm-r-190-lsmr190-03

5. [5]National Archives at Atlanta, RG 181 Ship Commissioning Files, NAID 2694599 [other_primary]

   Locator

   Ship Commissioning Files table, Box 7, Landing Ship Medium, LSM-190 row; NAID 2694599

   Finding type

   historical_record

   Finding

   The NARA finding aid identifies a Charleston Navy Yard commissioning-file series and lists LSM-190 in Box 7 with a catalog date of 11/21/1944.

   Verification

   partial

   Role

   archival_lead

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-09-30

   Study period

   1944

   Limitations

   Archival finding aid only: the box contents were not retrieved, and the catalog date conflicts with the 23 November 1944 commissioning date documented by NavSource and supplied in the batch brief. The date field's meaning is unresolved. No asbestos content is visible in the finding aid.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-lsm-r-190-lsmr190-04

6. [6]National Archives, Researching Asbestos aboard U.S. Naval Vessels up through 1961 [other_primary]

   Locator

   Sections 'Beginning Research,' 'Other Specifications and Standards Series,' and 'Cartographic Branch'

   Finding type

   historical_record

   Finding

   NARA identifies Navy ship engineering drawings and specifications as relevant sources for vessel-specific asbestos research, including S39 insulation and lagging and S48 piping records, and describes deck logs, muster rolls, and related Navy records as research leads.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   archival_lead

   Documentation level

   class_or_era

   Accessed

   2026-09-30

   Study period

   1940-1961 record series

   Population

   Researchers and Navy-vessel archival records

   Limitations

   Research guidance, not evidence that asbestos was aboard LSM(R)-190. No LSM(R)-190 S39/S48 drawing, deck log, or material record was retrieved in this session.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-lsm-r-190-lsmr190-05

7. [7]U.S. Government Accountability Office, Navy Efforts To Protect Workers From Asbestos Exposure, HRD-80-2 (1979) [gao]

   Locator

   GAO product page highlights and linked HRD-80-2 report description

   Finding type

   gov_survey

   Finding

   GAO describes Navy use of asbestos in ship insulation and shipboard applications including gaskets, and records Navy policies beginning in 1975 and modified in 1979 to remove or replace some asbestos insulation.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   context

   Documentation level

   class_or_era

   Accessed

   2026-09-30

   Study period

   1975-1979 policy period; report published 1979

   Population

   Navy shipyard workers and Navy ship maintenance personnel

   Limitations

   Navy-wide program context, not a record about LSM(R)-190, Charleston Navy Yard, or this hull's materials. It does not establish installation, quantity, condition, exposure, or causation for this vessel. The GAO product page is live; the full report was not independently retrieved here.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-lsm-r-190-lsmr190-06

8. [8]NIOSH/CDC, 100 Years of Respiratory Protection History [other_primary]

   Locator

   Section discussing World War II and the U.S. Navy's use of asbestos for pipe insulation

   Finding type

   asbestos_application

   Finding

   NIOSH states that U.S. Navy asbestos use increased during World War II for insulation of pipes in naval vessels and that the Navy continued using asbestos after 1946 with dust-control guidance.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   context

   Documentation level

   class_or_era

   Accessed

   2026-09-30

   Study period

   World War II through postwar period

   Population

   Navy shipyard workers and naval-vessel crews

   Limitations

   General historical context; it does not name LSM(R)-190, Charleston Navy Yard, or establish that asbestos was installed aboard this hull. It does not quantify material or establish exposure or causation.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-lsm-r-190-lsmr190-07

9. [9]Public-source negative finding; CourtListener authenticated opinion search and official-source sweep [court_record]

   Locator

   Search-ledger rows sl-uss-lsm-r-190-lsmr190-07 through -14

   Finding type

   litigation_documented

   Finding

   No ship-specific asbestos survey, abatement record, hazmat disclosure, or qualifying litigation record was located in the public sources completed for this session. The exact CourtListener opinion query 'USS LSMR-190' returned zero results; the remaining exact-name and hull-number opinion/docket requests were stopped when the authenticated fleet limiter reported its request budget was spent.

   Verification

   partial

   Role

   negative_finding

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-09-30

   Study period

   2026-09-30

   Limitations

   This is not proof that no asbestos or litigation record exists. CourtListener coverage is incomplete because only one required exact-name/hull variant completed before the limiter stand-down; remaining variants are logged as blocked, not negative. No exposure, causation, or legal-eligibility conclusion follows.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-lsm-r-190-lsmr190-08