Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, Jr. (1947-2003)
Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr. is remembered as a champion of the men and women who have served our country in times of war. Tragically, like so many of the members of the military who served between World War II and the Viet Nam era, Admiral Zumwalt developed mesothelioma caused by exposure to asbestos aboard Navy ships. Baron & Budd is honored to have represented his family in their case against the manufacturers of the asbestos products that caused his death.
In 1970, at the age of 49, Admiral Zumwalt became the youngest Chief of Naval Operations in history. He is known as a trailblazer who reformed the Navy during the four years he served as its leader, transforming the institution into one that provided equal opportunity for all. Prior to becoming CNO, Admiral Zumwalt served from 1968 to 1970 as the Commander of U.S. Naval Forces in Vietnam. During his command, he ordered Agent Orange to be sprayed in the Mekong Delta to protect Navy boats from ambush. Before ordering its use, he had been assured by the manufacturers of Agent Orange that it would cause no harm to the soldiers it was intended to protect. One of these men was his eldest son, who commanded one of the boats patrolling the river.
Unfortunately, Agent Orange proved fatal to many U.S. Military personnel, including his son, Lt. Elmo Zumwalt III, who at the age of 42 died of leukemia. Driven by his son’s cancer and death, Admiral Zumwalt became a tireless advocate for the health and safety of military veterans. Indeed, the president of the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation once said that no one has done more to address the consequences of Agent Orange and provide benefits to affected veterans than Admiral Zumwalt.
In July 1999, at the age of 78, Admiral Zumwalt saw a doctor for shortness of breath after placing first in his division in a race to raise funds for cancer research. The diagnosis was mesothelioma. Admiral Zumwalt succumbed to the cancer on January 2, 2000.