About this Unit
St. Albans Naval Hospital, located in Queens, New York, was established in 1943 during World War II to provide medical care for wounded sailors and Marines returning from combat. Constructed on the site of the former St. Albans Golf Course, the hospital rapidly expanded to include over 3,000 beds, becoming one of the largest naval medical facilities on the East Coast. Throughout its operational years, St. Albans Naval Hospital played a crucial role in treating veterans from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The hospital was decommissioned in 1974, and the site was later repurposed as a Veterans Administration medical center.
Historical Facts
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World War II Expansion: St. Albans Naval Hospital was constructed in 1942 in Queens, New York, to address the urgent need for more military hospitals during World War II. It rapidly became one of the largest naval hospitals in the United States.
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Capacity: At its peak during WWII, St. Albans had more than 3,500 beds, making it one of the largest military medical facilities on the East Coast.
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Location History: The hospital was built on the former site of the St. Albans Golf Course, transforming recreational land into a critical military asset almost overnight.
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Celebrity Patients: Notable figures, including boxer Sugar Ray Robinson and baseball legend Jackie Robinson, were treated at St. Albans during their military service.
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Groundbreaking Medical Research: The hospital was a site for pioneering research in rehabilitation medicine, prosthetics, and postwar trauma treatment, benefiting thousands of wounded soldiers.
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Desegregation: St. Albans Naval Hospital was one of the early federal medical facilities to be officially desegregated, reflecting broader changes in the U.S. military during and after WWII.
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Vietnam War Role: The hospital played a key part in treating wounded and ill service members returning from the Korean and Vietnam Wars, offering advanced psychiatric and physical rehabilitation.
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Hollywood Connection: St. Albans was mentioned in several films and TV shows, including the 1946 film “The Best Years of Our Lives,” highlighting its importance in the postwar era.
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Transition to VA Facility: In 1974, the hospital was transferred from the U.S. Navy to the Department of Veterans Affairs, continuing its legacy of caring for military veterans.
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Community Impact: The hospital was a major employer and community hub in southeastern Queens for decades, helping to shape the neighborhood’s growth and character.
