Marine Barracks San Juan

• Founding Date: The Marine Barracks San Juan was established in 1904, following the United States’ takeover of Puerto Rico after the Spanish-American War. • Strategic Location: Located at the Isla Grande section of San Juan, it served as a vital outpost for the U.S. Marine Corps in the Caribbean. • Key Role in World War II: During WWII, the Barracks supported anti-submarine operations and coastal defense, protecting the approaches to the Panama Canal. • Guarding the Navy Yard: Marines stationed at San Juan were tasked with guarding the important San Juan Navy Yard, a critical logistics and repair hub. • Training Ground: The Barracks was used as a training site for Marines deployed throughout the Caribbean and Central America. • Interaction with Local Population: Marines participated in community events and parades, forging lasting ties with the people of San Juan. • Segregated Service: Like much of the U.S. military at the time, the Barracks was racially segregated, with Puerto Rican and African-American Marines often assigned to separate units. • Disbandment: The Marine Barracks San Juan was closed in 1955 as part of post-WWII military reductions and strategic realignment. • Legacy Sites: Some of the original buildings still exist and have been repurposed, while others were demolished to make room for modern developments in Isla Grande. • Historical Recognition: Veterans and local historians advocate for the preservation of the site’s memory as a key chapter in Puerto Rican and Marine Corps military heritage.