Evidence
10 evidence entries recorded; each entry has a stable permalink (#ev-1 … #ev-10).
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[1]research packet 842-packet.md (2 sources cited) [nhhc_danfs]
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- Identity packet verdict: VERIFIED (with date-discrepancy note below)
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Evidence ID
- uss-meeker-county-lst980-pkt-842-packet-md
-
[2]DANFS, USS LST-980 / USS Meeker County (LST-980) - construction, Normandy service, Atlantic Fleet service, reactivation, Vietnam service, spec block (verbatim transcription; live NHHC page returned 404; canonical NHHC text verified via Wayback capture 2024-12-09) [nhhc_danfs]
- Locator
- DANFS service narrative and spec block; canonical URL https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/m/meeker-county.html (live 404; Wayback 2024-12-09)
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- Documented for this hull: laid down 9 December 1943 at the Boston Naval Shipyard, Boston, Mass.; launched 27 January 1944; sponsored by Miss Imelda M. Munzing; commissioned 26 February 1944 (NHHC current text; the older printed DANFS entry and one transcription read 28 February - see gaps), Lt. W. F. Westfall in command. After Chesapeake Bay shakedown she sailed for England (April 1944) and participated in the Normandy invasion: bracketed by bombs, one 125-pound dud penetrated the hull and two bulkheads, killing one man and causing minor damage; she then ran shuttle service UK-France, returning with up to 900 POWs at one time. Returned to the U.S. February 1945; postwar amphibious training from Little Creek (CAMID I, II, III), 6th Fleet Mediterranean duty 30 April - 4 October 1949, Baffin Bay resupply summers 1951 and 1952, Vieques support 1954. Renamed Meeker County 1 July 1955; inactivated via New York and Green Cove Springs; decommissioned 16 December 1955; Florida Group, Atlantic Reserve Fleet; transferred to Philadelphia October 1961. Reactivated (1965 need), modernized at Baltimore, recommissioned 23 September 1966; departed 20 January 1967 for home port Guam (arrived Apra 7 April); served with Landing Ship Squadron 3 operating from Da Nang, Vietnam, providing almost continuous support to combat operations into 1969. One battle star for WWII service. Spec block: dp. 1,625; l. 328'; b. 50'; dr. 11'; s. 12 k.; cpl. 226; a. 8 40mm., 12 20mm.; cl. LST-511.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-10-03
- Study period
- 1943-1970
- Population
- Boston Naval Shipyard construction trades (1943-44); crew (1944-55, 1966-70)
- Limitations
- Ship-specific history only; no asbestos or material content. The DANFS entry ends with service 'into 1969' - the 1970 decommissioning and 1975-1996 disposal chain come from other rows. Live NHHC DANFS page returned 404 on 2026-10-03 (standing NHHC link-rot defect, see BATCH-01); canonical NHHC text was verified via Wayback capture 2024-12-09 and matches except the commissioning date (26 February vs 28 February in the printed/transcribed entry - unresolved variant in gaps).
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-meeker-county-lst980-01
-
[3]NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive, USS Meeker County (LST-980) ex USS LST-980 - milestone timeline, campaign tables, specifications, commanding-officer list, disposal chain [other_primary]
- Locator
- NavSource 10/16/160980.htm header timeline, Vietnam campaign table, specifications block, photo captions, commanding-officers table
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- NavSource timeline and tabulations for this hull: 542-class tank landing ship; laid down 9 December 1943 Boston Navy Yard; launched 27 January 1944; commissioned 26 February 1944, LT. William F. Westfall USN; loaded LCT-654 at Norfolk 6 April 1944, unloaded at Plymouth (Jennycliff) 8 May 1944; Invasion of Normandy 6-25 June 1944; occupation service in Europe 19 May - 19 September 1949; named Meeker County 1 July 1955; decommissioned 16 December 1955 at Green Cove Springs, FL; Atlantic Reserve Fleet (Florida Group, then Philadelphia October 1961); recommissioned 23 September 1966 at Baltimore, MD; ten Vietnam campaign periods tabulated 1967-1970 (Counteroffensive II through VII, Tet Counteroffensive, Tet 69, Winter-Spring 1970, Sanctuary Counteroffensive); decommissioned December 1970 at Bremerton, WA; struck from the Naval Register 1 April 1975; sold for scrapping by DRMS 1 December 1975; resold to Max Rouse & Sons and converted for commercial use by Marine Industries, Tacoma, WA; sold 1976 to Landing System Technology Pte. Ltd., Singapore (Lauritz Kloster, Norway), renamed MV LST 3; acquired by Maritime & Commercial Co. Argonaftis S.A., Panama (Greek flag), renamed Petrola 143 (arrived Piraeus 30 June 1978); final disposition - arrived in tow at Aliaga, Turkey, for demolition by Seltas A.S., 7 August 1996. Specifications: 2x GM 12-567A diesels (900 hp), single Falk main reduction gear, 2 propellers 1,700 shp, 3x 100 kW diesel-driven ship's service generators, twin rudders; complement 13 officers/104 enlisted + troop accommodations 16 officers/147 enlisted. Photo captions document: Thule resupply summer 1953 - hull punctured two fuel tanks on an underwater boulder approaching Thule AFB, disabled two of three generators, hauled out on a marine railway at Portsmouth, VA for repairs; NHHC photos NH 84878/NH 84879; Naval Station Guam 1968 alongside USS Caroline County (LST-525); Cua Viet River LST ramp 1969; San Diego harbor 6 September 1970. Awards: Combat Action Ribbon (4), Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Vietnam Service Medal (10), RVN Gallantry Cross (8).
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-10-03
- Study period
- 1943-1996
- Population
- Boston Naval Shipyard trades (1943-44); crew (1944-55, 1966-70); Marine Industries Tacoma conversion workers (1976); Aliaga shipbreakers, Seltas A.S. (1996)
- Limitations
- NavSource is a volunteer secondary compilation, not a primary registry - milestone dates track DANFS/NVR where they overlap but the Thule-1953 grounding account rests on a single crew-member photo caption (see gaps; DANFS lists Baffin Bay missions 1951-52 only). Contains no asbestos content. The 1975-1996 commercial/disposal chain is compiled from secondary registry data; no hazmat or material record for the 1976 conversion or 1996 demolition was located.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-meeker-county-lst980-02
-
[4]NavSource awards page: Navy Unit Commendation to United States Naval Support Activity, Saigon (SecNav citation text), with USS Meeker County (LST-980) listed in the attached-units roster for 27 June 1970 - 21 November 1970 [other_primary]
- Locator
- NavSource 10/16/160980a.htm citation page header + full NUC text
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- The Secretary of the Navy presented the Navy Unit Commendation to U.S. Naval Support Activity, Saigon for exceptionally meritorious service 16 March 1966 - 30 April 1972, covering logistics support to U.S. Navy, Coast Guard and Free World naval forces, build-out of Riverine Warfare (GAME WARDEN), Coastal Surveillance (MARKET TIME), and Mobile Riverine Force support bases. The NavSource-hosted citation page is filed under this hull with the attachment window 'USS Meeker County (LST-980) - 27 Jun 70 - 21 Nov 70', documenting that this ship was attached to NSA Saigon during its final months of active service.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-10-03
- Study period
- 1966-1972 (citation period); attachment window 1970
- Population
- Crew attached to NSA Saigon (June-November 1970)
- Limitations
- Documents a unit award attachment period, not an exposure record; no asbestos content. The citation text covers the activity-level award; the per-hull attachment dates are as presented on the NavSource-hosted page.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-meeker-county-lst980-03
-
[5]Era inference built on: DANFS spec block + NavSource specifications (2x GM 12-567A diesels, Falk reduction gear, no steam plant); BuShips Ships' Data 1945 Vol. 2 LST design data (LST980-1059 group, GM 12-567A engines); documented disturbance windows on this hull (1965-66 Baltimore modernization, 1976 Tacoma commercial conversion) [other_primary]
- Locator
- DANFS spec block; NavSource specifications; BuShips SDB-1945 v2 LST design grouping (per class profile lst-1-class); NavSource modernization/disposal timeline
- Finding type
- asbestos_application
- Finding
- A diesel-powered amphibious ship built December 1943 - February 1944 at a U.S. Navy yard sits inside the Navy's documented asbestos-use era. Era-standard asbestos applications aboard a diesel LST of this type and period were GM diesel exhaust lagging and gaskets, engine-room thermal and acoustic insulation, valve packing, deck coverings, and bulkhead/accommodation insulation; she carried no boilers, so the boiler/steam-line lagging pathway of steam vessels does not apply. Two documented later windows could have disturbed or added insulation-era materials: the 1965-66 Baltimore modernization for Vietnam service, and the 1976 Marine Industries (Tacoma, WA) conversion to commercial service - both documented as events, with no asbestos scope documented for either.
- Verification
- inferred
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-10-03
- Study period
- 1943-1976
- Population
- Boston Naval Shipyard construction trades (1943-44); crew (1944-55, 1966-70); Baltimore modernization yard trades (1965-66); Marine Industries Tacoma conversion workers (1976)
- Limitations
- Class/era inference only - no hull-specific insulation survey, material schedule, or work package located for LST-980. Names era-standard applications, not confirmed installed materials. No quantity. The modernization and conversion dates are documented events; whether their work scope included asbestos is unknown.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-meeker-county-lst980-04
-
[6]National Park Service, Charlestown Navy Yard Master Development Strategy Phase I Environmental Assessment (January 2023) - documents asbestos-containing material in WWII-era Navy construction at the Charlestown Navy Yard (Boston Naval Shipyard) [nps]
- Locator
- CNY MDS Phase I EA (Jan 2023), Section 3.2.1.2 'Building 109' (asbestos siding/shingles narrative) and Section 2 alternatives (demolition/remediation); glossary 'ACM'
- Finding type
- environmental_record
- Finding
- Government documentation of asbestos use in construction at this hull's builder yard during her build era: the NPS environmental assessment for the Charlestown Navy Yard (Boston Naval Shipyard, closed 1974) documents that Building 109 - 'constructed by the Navy in the 1940s' and 'built in three stages between 1940 and 1944' as a wartime temporary building - is 'a two-story, wood-frame building with light gray asbestos siding', is 'afflicted with structural issues and asbestos', shows 'cracked exterior asbestos shingles', and requires 'asbestos siding remediation' before planned demolition. The EA glosses ACM as 'Asbestos Containing Material'.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-10-03
- Study period
- 1940-1944 (building construction); 2023 (assessment)
- Population
- Charlestown Navy Yard trades and staff (1940s construction era; 2023 remediation planning)
- Limitations
- Yard-level documentation, not a hull record: proves asbestos was used in the yard's own wartime construction (1940-44, overlapping this hull's Dec 1943 - Feb 1944 build window) but says nothing about shipboard materials aboard LST-980. Does not establish materials aboard this hull, individual exposure, quantity, or present-day presence. PDF blocked to automated fetch (HTTP 403); text verified from full-text extraction of the Wayback capture (2025-12-06).
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-meeker-county-lst980-05
-
[7]GAO, Navy Efforts To Protect Workers From Asbestos Exposure, HRD-80-2 (Oct 18, 1979) [gao]
- Locator
- GAO product page HRD-80-2 (full text blocked, HTTP 403)
- Finding type
- gov_survey
- Finding
- GAO documented that the Navy used asbestos insulation extensively aboard ships and did not begin substituting alternative insulation materials until the early 1970s - spanning this hull's construction (1943-44), first commission (1944-55), reserve layup (1955-66), and second commission (1966-70).
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- context_only
- Accessed
- 2026-10-03
- Study period
- 1979
- Population
- Navy shipyard workers; asbestos program review
- Limitations
- Program-level documentation; supports era context only, not any fact specific to this hull. Full text not retrieved (gao.gov blocks automated fetch, HTTP 403 - standing defect since BATCH-01) - content via product-page description.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-meeker-county-lst980-06
-
[8]NARA, Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel (Record Group 24) - 'Logs of U.S. Naval Ships and Stations (Navy Deck Logs)' series, including 1962-67 accessions (2455 cubic feet) plus WWII-era ship deck logs; muster-roll series also accessioned [other_primary]
- Locator
- NARA accessions notice (The Record, Sept 1998): RG 24 deck logs 1962-67 + WWII-era ship logs; Archives II Military Records
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- This hull's deck logs survive in the Navy Deck Logs series at NARA: her wartime/postwar logs (1944-55) fall in the WWII-era ship deck log accession, and her second-commission logs (1966-70) fall in the 1962-67 accessions opened at Archives II - the primary-source trail for her construction-era outfitting, availabilities, the undocumented Baltimore modernization yard, and Vietnam service. Not digitized; an on-site/scan-request lead.
- Verification
- partial
- Role
- archival_lead
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-10-03
- Study period
- 1944-1970 (log coverage)
- Population
- Crew (1944-55, 1966-70)
- Limitations
- Archival lead only: establishes that the record series exists and is open, not what any log says. Deck logs rarely record insulation materials directly but document availabilities, yard periods, and casualties (e.g., the Normandy dud-bomb hit, the Thule grounding) that anchor exposure-relevant timelines. No per-hull NAID located this session.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-meeker-county-lst980-07
-
[9]Batch-7523 search ledger (this record): DANFS via NHHC/Wayback + ibiblio; NavSource main + NUC pages; NPS Charlestown Navy Yard EA (via Wayback); GAO product page; NVR (no entry - pre-1987 disposal); NARA deck-log series; CourtListener (blocked); secondary web litigation sweep [other_primary]
- Locator
- search_ledger rows sl-uss-meeker-county-lst980-01 through -11
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- No qualifying ship-specific asbestos record located: no asbestos survey, abatement contract, hazmat disclosure, or verified litigation naming USS Meeker County (LST-980) was found in the public sources searched (see search_ledger). CAVEAT: CourtListener could not be queried this session - the authenticated API returned a daily-quota-exceeded response (server-requested wait ~6.6 h); logged as blocked in search_ledger, not as a negative result. Secondary web sweeps surfaced no qualifying case naming this hull; only generic law-firm listicle coverage of LST-class ships exists - excluded by source policy.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- negative_finding
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-10-03
- Study period
- 2026-10-03
- Limitations
- Absence of a located public record does not prove absence of asbestos aboard - and the litigation repository search is a genuine open gap (quota-blocked, not run). Deck logs, the 1965-66 Baltimore modernization work package, and the 1976/1996 conversion-demolition hazmat trails are undigitized or unidentified leads. Does not establish or defeat any claim of exposure or legal eligibility.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-meeker-county-lst980-08
-
[10]Designation cross-check: NavSource designation history for this hull (LST-980 only, no AGP symbol shown); NavSource USS Callisto (AGP-15) page + DANFS Callisto entry (AGP-15 was LST-966, reclassified motor torpedo boat tender 14 August 1944); Wikipedia USS Meeker County infobox (carries 'Hull symbol: AGP-15') [other_primary]
- Locator
- Wikipedia USS Meeker County infobox vs NavSource 10/16/160980.htm designation line vs NavSource 09/09/0915.htm + DANFS Callisto entry
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- CORRECTION: Wikipedia's infobox attaches a second hull symbol, 'AGP-15', to this vessel. No official source assigns an AGP designation to LST-980: her NavSource designation line shows LST-980 only (1944-1975), DANFS carries her as an LST throughout, and AGP-15 is documented as a different hull - USS Callisto, reclassified from LST-966 to motor torpedo boat tender on 14 August 1944 (NavSource 09/09/0915.htm; DANFS Callisto entry). The 'AGP-15' symbol is a misattribution and should not propagate.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- correction
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-10-03
- Study period
- 1944-1975 (designation window)
- Limitations
- Corrects a circulating designation error, not a material claim. Wikipedia also conflicts with DANFS/NavSource on construction dates and the launch sponsor (carried in gaps). No asbestos content.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-meeker-county-lst980-09