1940s Military Bases in Virginia

Army

Located in Fairfax County, Fort Belvoir opened in 1917. In the 1940s, Fort Belvoir was a primary training location for engineers preparing for their roles in World War II. Established in 1918, Fort Eustis in Newport News served during the 1940s as the site for transportation, training, engineering and military operations connected with World War II, including aviation and marine shipping activities. Today, Fort Eustis is home to the U.S. Army Transportation Center, the U.S. Army Transportation School and the Non Commissioned Officers Academy. Five other Army bases operating in the 1940s include Fort A.P. Hill, Camp Lee, Fort Monroe and Fort Myer.

Norfolk Naval Station in Norfolk boasts the largest number of naval forces in the world. In 1940, Norfolk housed approximately 8,000 personnel. By 1941, nearly 40,000 personnel were located at the Naval Station. Norfolk's main contribution to World War II was the training of allied naval air units. Today, Norfolk is home to aircraft carriers, destroyers, submarines and supply ships.

Arlington is home to Henderson Hall, a U.S. Marine base. In 1941, Headquarters Marine Corps relocated to the Navy Annex, which is next to Henderson Hall. In 1942, after the start of World War II, Henderson Hall established a Headquarters and Service Company to provide command, control and administrative support to the battalion stationed there.. The company was renamed Headquarters Battalion in 1943. From 1943 to 1946, the base also housed the Battalion of Women Marine Reserves, and more than 2,600 women lived in its barracks.

Established in Hampton, Virginia, in 1916, Langley Field was originally the Army's Aviation Experimental Station and Proving Grounds. The first base built for air power is now one of the oldest, continuously active Air Force bases. During World War II, Langley Field was home to the 1st Fighter Wing, which flew Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter planes. The unit logged more than 20,000 sorties and tallied more than 400 aerial kills. In 1946, the Tactical Air Command relocated to Langley. The mission of the Tactical Air Command was to provide rapid air deployment of combat-ready forces.