I am a County Veterans Service Officer trying to assist the widow of Paul Kussman. He served aboard the USS Rush from Nov 1968 to Aug 1969. He died March 1 2013 of Peritoneal Mesothelioma. The VA is attempting to deny her benefits based on his having worked as a cable splicer after his service. They further state his DD-214 shows his specialty as Machinist Repair even though his rate shows FN (firemen).
I am hoping some of you remember him and are willing to write about his time aboard the Rush. His daughter remembers him talking about detail work cleaning out a boiler or fire box? and of course letters about the asbestous conditions are helpful. If you were a Machine Repair on board her and can relate to what extent your job required you to travel to different areas of the ship, in small spaces, or climb around areas with a lot of asbestous that to would be helpful.
Please feel free to call me at (920) 683-4055 or email me at janebab@co.maqnitowoc.wi.us

Thank you for your service,
P. Jane Babcock, CVSO
SFC (Ret), US Army & Army Reserve