About this Unit
Fort Story, located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, has a rich military history dating back to its establishment in 1914 as a coastal artillery installation. Originally created to defend the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay, it played a critical role in coastal defense during both World Wars, housing large gun batteries and searchlights. In the postwar years, Fort Story evolved into a premier training site for amphibious operations, particularly for the U.S. Army Transportation Corps and later for Army, Navy, and Joint Expeditionary units. Today, it is part of Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, serving as a key center for littoral and expeditionary training, supporting both U.S. and allied forces.
Historical Facts
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Strategic Location: Fort Story, located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, sits at Cape Henry where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, making it a vital military point for coastal defense since its establishment.
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Named After General Story: The installation is named after Brigadier General John Patten Story, a noted Coast Artillery officer, in recognition of his contributions to U.S. coastal defenses.
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World War II Coastal Defense: During World War II, Fort Story was heavily fortified with coastal artillery batteries to protect the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay from enemy ships and submarines.
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Amphibious Operations Training: Since the 1940s, Fort Story has been a premier site for training Army and Navy units in amphibious operations due to its unique beaches, dunes, and varied terrain.
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Joint Base Today: In 2009, Fort Story merged with Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek to form Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, reflecting its joint-service mission.
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Lighthouses on Site: Fort Story is home to both the historic Cape Henry Lighthouse (built in 1792, the first federally funded lighthouse) and the newer Cape Henry Lighthouse (built in 1881).
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D-Day Rehearsals: The terrain at Fort Story was used to rehearse D-Day landings, preparing U.S. forces for the Normandy invasion in World War II.
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Presidential Visit: President Franklin D. Roosevelt visited Fort Story in 1942, emphasizing its strategic importance during the war.
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Historical Marker: The First Landing Cross, a monument on Fort Story, commemorates the arrival of the first English settlers in 1607 before they traveled to found Jamestown.
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Modern Missions: Today, Fort Story supports training in logistics-over-the-shore (LOTS), disaster relief, and humanitarian assistance, making it a key site for modern joint and expeditionary missions.
