About this Unit
Naval Hospital Naples, Italy, traces its origins to World War II, when the U.S. Navy established a medical presence in Naples to support Allied operations in the Mediterranean. Officially commissioned in 1953, the hospital has provided critical medical care to U.S. service members, their families, and NATO personnel stationed in southern Europe. Over the decades, it has played a key role in supporting regional military operations, humanitarian missions, and disaster relief efforts. Today, Naval Hospital Naples continues its mission as a modern healthcare facility, serving as a vital part of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa.
Historical Facts
•
Origins in World War II: The roots of Naval Hospital Naples trace back to World War II, when U.S. Navy medical personnel established facilities in the Naples area to support Allied operations following the liberation of southern Italy in 1943.
•
Official Establishment: The official U.S. Naval Hospital Naples was commissioned in 1953 at Agnano, making it one of the oldest continuously operating overseas Navy hospitals.
•
Strategic Location: Naples' geographical location in the Mediterranean has made the hospital a vital medical support hub for U.S. and NATO forces operating throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
•
Relocation to Gricignano: In 2003, Naval Hospital Naples relocated from the Agnano site to a new state-of-the-art facility at the Support Site in Gricignano di Aversa, improving medical services and accessibility for U.S. military and their families.
•
Disaster Response: The hospital has played key roles in humanitarian missions, such as providing medical support for earthquake victims in Italy and offering care to refugees and evacuees during regional crises.
•
Multinational Collaboration: Naval Hospital Naples routinely collaborates with Italian medical authorities, other NATO allies, and partner nations, fostering international medical cooperation and training.
•
Support for Fleet Operations: The hospital and its branch clinics provide crucial medical, dental, and emergency services to U.S. Navy Sixth Fleet ships and personnel homeported or operating in the Mediterranean.
•
Firsts in Medical Care: The hospital has been recognized for pioneering telemedicine and advanced medical practices overseas, enhancing care for deployed service members far from home.
•
Famous Visitors: Over the decades, the hospital has hosted visits by senior U.S. military leaders and dignitaries, including Chiefs of Naval Operations and U.S. Ambassadors to Italy.
•
Cultural Integration: Staff and families at Naval Hospital Naples actively participate in community relations projects, language exchanges, and local outreach, strengthening U.S.-Italian relations and fostering understanding between cultures.
