Fort Story (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
Virginia Beach · Virginia · World War I, World War II
History & Significance
Fort Story became a military installation in 1914 when the Virginia General Assembly gave the land to the U.S. Government "to erect fortifications and for other military purposes." The base was named for Major General John Patten Story (1841–1915), a noted coast artilleryman of his day.
During World War I, Fort Story was integrated into the Coast Defenses of Chesapeake Bay, which also included Fort Monroe (the headquarters) and Fort Wool. Battery Pennington, consisting of four 16-inch (406 mm) M1920 howitzers, was emplaced at Fort Story in 1922, along with a three-gun anti-aircraft battery of 3-inch (76 mm) M1917 guns.
With the improved weapon location at Fort Story and a range advantage over Fort Monroe's 12-inch guns of 24,500 yards versus 18,400 yards, the 16-inch weapons could engage attacking warships long before they could come within range of Fort Monroe. Fort Story was the only location to receive these howitzers, though a few other harbor defenses received the longer 16-inch guns in the 1920s.
During World War II, following the American entry into World War II two four-gun batteries of 155 mm guns were deployed at Fort Story; circular concrete "Panama mounts" were built to improve their firing positions. These were a stopgap until three 6-inch gun batteries were completed at the fort in 1943.
In 1944, Fort Story began to transition from a heavily fortified coast artillery garrison to a convalescent hospital for returning veterans. By the time of its closing March 15, 1946, the hospital had accommodated more than 13,472 patients.
In 1946 the first amphibious training at Fort Story began with the arrival of the 458th Amphibious Truck Company and Army DUKWS. Fort Story was officially transferred to the Transportation Training Command, Fort Eustis, and designated a Transportation Corps installation for use in training amphibious and terminal units in the conduct of Logistics-Over-The-Shore operations. On October 1, 2009, Fort Story and Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek merged, and Fort Story officially became Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek Fort Story.
Key Facts
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Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Expeditionary_Base_Fort_Story
- https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=79242
- https://www.militarybases.us/army/fort-story/
- https://www.jeblittlecreekfortstoryhousing.com/history
- https://cdsg.org/united-states-coast-defense-sites-1945-2011/
- https://www.loc.gov/item/2017878388