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History of Naval Hospital Roosevelt Roads

Naval Hospital Roosevelt Roads was a United States Navy medical facility located at the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. Established during World War II, the hospital provided comprehensive medical care and support for military personnel, their families, and civilian employees stationed in the Caribbean region. Throughout the Cold War, it played a vital role in supporting U.S. naval operations and humanitarian missions in the Atlantic and Caribbean theaters. The hospital continued its service until the closure of the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in 2004, after which the facility was decommissioned.

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ABOUT Naval Hospital Roosevelt Roads

  • Strategic Location: Naval Hospital Roosevelt Roads was located at the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station near Ceiba, Puerto Rico, serving as an essential medical facility for U.S. military personnel in the Caribbean region.
  • World War II Origins: The hospital was established during World War II as part of the larger Roosevelt Roads Naval Base, which was constructed in 1941 to support Atlantic and Caribbean naval operations.
  • Namesake Tribute: Both the hospital and the base were named after President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who personally selected the location during a 1938 visit to Puerto Rico.
  • Cold War Role: During the Cold War, the hospital supported U.S. Navy training, anti-submarine patrols, and surveillance missions against Soviet activity in the region.
  • Humanitarian Assistance: The hospital played a key role in providing disaster relief and humanitarian aid following hurricanes and natural disasters in the Caribbean, often treating civilians as well as military personnel.
  • Medical Training Hub: Naval Hospital Roosevelt Roads served as a training site for Navy medical personnel, including corpsmen and nurses, due to its proximity to diverse operational environments.
  • Vietnam War Casualties: Although far from Southeast Asia, the hospital occasionally received wounded personnel evacuated from Vietnam for long-term care and rehabilitation.
  • Base Closure: The hospital and the entire Roosevelt Roads base were closed in 2004 as part of the U.S. Department of Defense’s global realignment and cost-cutting measures.
  • Community Impact: The closure of the hospital significantly affected the local Puerto Rican economy, resulting in the loss of hundreds of jobs and reduced medical services in the area.
  • Legacy Preservation: Former staff and local historians have worked to preserve the history of Naval Hospital Roosevelt Roads, gathering photos, documents, and oral histories to honor its decades of service.

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