About this Unit
Oak Knoll Naval Hospital, located in Oakland, California, was commissioned in 1942 to provide medical care for Navy personnel during World War II. Throughout the war, and later during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, the hospital played a crucial role in treating wounded servicemembers returning from the Pacific theater and Asia. The facility expanded over the decades, becoming a major center for medical research and rehabilitation within the U.S. Navy. Oak Knoll was officially closed in 1996 under the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) program, ending over 50 years of military medical service.
Historical Facts
• World War II Origins: Oak Knoll Naval Hospital was commissioned in 1942 in Oakland, California, to treat wounded sailors and Marines returning from the Pacific Theater during World War II.
• Japanese POWs: During WWII, the hospital also treated Japanese prisoners of war, making it a unique site of interaction between U.S. forces and enemy combatants.
• Largest Naval Hospital on the West Coast: At its peak, Oak Knoll was the largest naval hospital on the West Coast, with over 1,000 beds and extensive medical facilities.
• Korean and Vietnam War Service: Oak Knoll continued to serve through the Korean and Vietnam Wars, caring for thousands of wounded and ill service members returning from overseas.
• President Nixon’s Visit: In 1952, then-Senator Richard Nixon visited Oak Knoll Naval Hospital to meet wounded veterans and boost morale, later referencing the visit during his presidential campaigns.
• Medical Innovations: The hospital was known for pioneering treatments in trauma and rehabilitation medicine, benefiting from its proximity to leading Bay Area research institutions.
• Women in the Military: Oak Knoll was notable for employing a significant number of WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) during WWII, reflecting the growing role of women in military healthcare.
• Closure and Decommissioning: As part of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) efforts, the hospital was officially closed in 1996 after more than five decades of service.
• Abandoned Site and Redevelopment: The site sat abandoned for years, becoming a subject of urban exploration and later the focus of major redevelopment plans, including demolition of the main hospital building in 2011.
• Legacy of Care: Over its lifetime, Oak Knoll Naval Hospital treated an estimated 500,000 patients, leaving a lasting legacy in military medicine and the local community.
