15 Jun 1913

United States
  • The US 1st Aero Squadron, leaving three officers and twenty-six enlisted men and two aircraft in Texas, United States, moved to San Diego, California, United States, where it was joined by most of the US Army's other aircraft. ww2dbase [San Diego, California | AC]
20 May 1916

United States
  • Henry Arnold was made a supply officer at the US Army Signal Corps Aviation School at Rockwell Field in San Diego, California, United States. ww2dbase [Henry Arnold | San Diego, California | CPC]
10 Jan 1919

United States
  • Henry Arnold was made the District Supervisor of Western District of the Air Service of the US Army. From his office at Rockwell Field, San Diego, California, United States, he was responsible for the demobilization of 8,000 airmen and surplus aircraft. ww2dbase [Henry Arnold | San Diego, California | CPC]
7 Oct 1919

United States
  • Joseph Rochefort reported for duty aboard tanker Cuyama as her assistant engineering officer; the ship was based out of San Diego, California, United States. ww2dbase [Joseph Rochefort | San Diego, California | CPC]
21 Aug 1921

United States
1 Dec 1930

United States
5 Jan 1931

United States
6 Jun 1933

United States
10 Jan 1935

Photo(s) dated 10 Jan 1935
USS Marblehead underway in San Diego harbor, California, United States, 10 Jan 1935
9 Aug 1935

United States
  • The Headquarters of the Fleet Marine Force of the US Marine Corps was transferred from Quantico, Virginia, United States to San Diego, California, United States. ww2dbase [San Diego, California | CPC]
14 Nov 1935

United States
  • The Fleet Marine Force units of the US Marine Corps stationed at San Diego, California, United States participated in a two-day exercise with the US Navy fleet on the west coast of the United States. ww2dbase [San Diego, California | CPC]
1 Jul 1936

United States
  • The US 2nd Marine Brigade was formed at San Diego, California, United States for deployment to China. ww2dbase [San Diego, California | AC]
28 Aug 1937

United States
  • The US 2nd Marine Brigade headquarters and the US 6th Marine Regiment departed San Diego, California, United States for Shanghai, China. ww2dbase [San Diego, California | CPC]
28 Oct 1937

United States
18 Dec 1937

United States
  • USS Permit arrived at San Diego, California, United States and joined Submarine Squadron 6 of the US Navy. ww2dbase [Permit | San Diego, California | CPC]
19 Dec 1937

United States
20 Apr 1938

United States
  • The US 2nd Marine Brigade of the Fleet Marine Force arrived at San Diego, California, United States from Shanghai, China. ww2dbase [San Diego, California | CPC]
12 May 1939

United States
  • Destroyer USS Cummings returned to San Diego, California, United States after completion of Fleet Problen XX in the Panama Canal Zone and Caribbean. ww2dbase [Cummings | San Diego, California | DS]
2 Jun 1939

United States
30 Jun 1939

United States
  • The 2nd Marine Brigade was activated at San Diego, California, United States, supported by the 2nd Marine Aircraft Group. ww2dbase [San Diego, California | CPC]
16 Aug 1939

United States
29 Dec 1939

United States
  • The prototype Consolidated XB-24 heavy bomber made its maiden flight from Lindbergh Field, San Diego, California, United States. ww2dbase [B-24 Liberator | San Diego, California | AC]
1 Apr 1940

United States
  • USS Skipjack departed San Diego, California, United States for the Hawaiian Islands area for training exercises. ww2dbase [Skipjack | San Diego, California | CPC]
24 Jun 1940

United States
  • Rear Admiral Charles A. Blakely relieved Rear Admiral Joseph R. Defrees as the Commandant of the Eleventh Naval District and the Commandant of the Naval Operating Base in San Diego, California, United States. ww2dbase [San Diego, California | CPC]
1 Jul 1940

United States
  • The Headquarters Marine Aircraft Wing, Fleet Marine Force was established at the Marine Corps Base, San Diego, California, United States under Brigadier General Ross E. Rowell. ww2dbase [San Diego, California | CPC]
16 Dec 1940

United States
  • US Marine Corps Reserve aviation units were disbanded, and their men were assigned to active duty in the regular US Marine Corps. On the same day, US Marine Corps established the 7th Defense Battalion at San Diego, California, United States. The infantry-artillery battalion was to be assigned to Tutuila, American Samoa. ww2dbase [San Diego, California | CPC]
24 Dec 1940

United States
  • The US 1st Marine Aircraft Wing completed its transfer to the west coast of the United States. On the same day, the 2nd Marine Brigade was activated under the command of Colonel Henry L. Larsen at Camp Elliott, California, United States. ww2dbase [San Diego, California | CPC]
15 Feb 1941

United States
  • An advance echelon of the US Marine Corps 1st Defense Battalion departed San Diego, California, United States aboard USS Enterprise for Johnston Island and Palmyra Atoll via Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii. ww2dbase [Enterprise | San Diego, California | CPC]
9 Mar 1941

United States
  • A Japanese intelligence network was established in San Diego, California, United States to observe the transportation of war materials. ww2dbase [San Diego, California | CPC]
10 Jul 1941

United States
  • The US Marine Corps established the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing at San Diego, California, United States under Colonel Francis P . Mulcahy. ww2dbase [San Diego, California | CPC]
1 Nov 1941

United States
  • US Marine Corps established the 2nd Joint Training Force at Camp Elliot, California, United States under Major General Clayton B. Vogel. It was composed of the US Marine Corps 2nd Marine Division and the US Army 3rd Infantry Division. ww2dbase [San Diego, California | CPC]
8 Dec 1941

United States
10 Dec 1941

United States
21 Dec 1941

United States
  • The US Marine Corps 1st Marine Aircraft Wing arrived at San Diego, California, United States; the unit had previously been based in Quantico, Virginia, United States. ww2dbase [San Diego, California | CPC]
30 Dec 1941

United States
6 Jan 1942

United States
10 Mar 1942

United States
  • The US Marine Corps purchased the 132,000-acre Santa Margarita Ranch situated north of San Diego, California, United States for a future base; it would become Camp Pendleton later in the year. ww2dbase [San Diego, California | CPC]
23 Mar 1942

United States
  • US Secretary of Navy Frank Knox designated the new Marine Corps Training Area at Santa Margarita Ranch in California, United States as Camp Joseph H. Pendleton. ww2dbase [San Diego, California | CPC]
20 May 1942

United States
1 Jun 1942

United States
2 Jun 1942

Photo(s) dated 2 Jun 1942
Aircraft transport USS Long Island at North Island, San Diego, California, United States, 2 Jun 1942. Note F4F-4 Wildcats and SOC-3A Seagulls on the flight deck.
1 Jul 1942

United States
3 Aug 1942

United States
  • US Marine Corps Major General Clayton Vogel was made the commanding general of the Fleet Marine Force, San Diego Area in the US Navy 11th Naval District in southwestern United States. ww2dbase [San Diego, California | CPC]
6 Aug 1942

United States
15 Aug 1942

United States
  • United States Marine Corps established the Air, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific at San Diego, California, United States. It was to organize personnel and supplies for the 1st and 2nd Marine Aircraft Wings and the 4th Marine Base Defense Battalion. ww2dbase [San Diego, California | CPC]
16 Sep 1942

United States
  • The United States Marine Corps established the 3rd Marine Division at Camp Elliott, California, United States. ww2dbase [San Diego, California | CPC]
25 Sep 1942

United States Photo(s) dated 25 Sep 1942
President Roosevelt (blocked from view seated in the rear seat of the lead car) tours PB2Y Coronado production at the Consolidated Aircraft plant at Lindbergh Field, San Diego, California, United States, 25 Sep 1942.
1 Oct 1942

United States
  • The United States Marine Corps disbanded the Amphibious Training Staff, Fleet Marine Force in San Diego, California, United States; its personnel were reassigned to the headquarters of the Amphibious Corps, Pacific Fleet. On the same day, Major General Holland Smith relieved Major General Clayton Vogel as the commanding officer of the Amphibious Corps, Pacific Fleet with the title of Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, San Diego area. Vogel was transferred to the newly established I Marine Amphibious Corps as its commanding officer. ww2dbase [Holland Smith | San Diego, California | CPC]
23 Oct 1942

United States
29 Oct 1942

United States
27 Nov 1942

United States
  • USS S-31 arrived at San Diego, California, United States to provide submarine training services at the West Coast Sound School. ww2dbase [S-31 | San Diego, California | CPC]
9 Dec 1942

United States
21 Jan 1943

United States
  • The United States Marine Corps established the Marine Fleet Air, West Coast at San Diego, California, United States to oversee all Fleet Marine Force aviation operations and to supply personnel and materiel to Marine Aircraft Wings, Pacific. ww2dbase [San Diego, California | CPC]
25 Feb 1943

United States
10 Apr 1943

United States
16 Aug 1943

United States
  • The US 4th Marine Division was activated at Camp Pendleton near San Diego, California, United States under the command of Major General Harry Schmidt. It was the only US Marine Division during WW2 to be mounted and staged into combat directly from the continental United States. ww2dbase [San Diego, California | CPC]
3 Nov 1943

United States
  • USS S-31 completed training services at San Diego, California, United States. ww2dbase [S-31 | San Diego, California | CPC]
10 Nov 1943

Photo(s) dated 10 Nov 1943
General Clayton Vogel cutting a cake for the USMC birthday celebration, San Diego, California, United States, 10 Nov 1943
14 Dec 1943

United States
11 Jan 1944

United States
21 Jan 1944

United States
  • The US 5th Marine Division ("The Spearhead") was activated at Camp Pendleton near San Diego, California, United States with the 26th, 27th and 28th Marines under command. The 28th Marines contained a cadre of men from the deactivated Marine parachute battalions. Artillery was provided the 13th Marines and Engineers (who did not deploy overseas) by the 16th Marines. ww2dbase [San Diego, California | AC]
21 Mar 1944

United States
19 May 1944

United States
1 Jun 1944

United States
20 Jul 1944

United States
21 Jul 1944

United States
28 Jul 1944

United States
  • USS Copahee arrived at San Diego, California, United States with 14 captured Japanese aircraft and 37 captured engines. ww2dbase [Copahee | San Diego, California | CPC]
23 Aug 1944

Photo(s) dated 23 Aug 1944
USS Hancock departing San Diego, California, United States, 23 Aug 1944.
13 Sep 1944

United States
16 Sep 1944

Photo(s) dated 16 Sep 1944
Carrier Ticonderoga off San Diego, California, United States, 16 Sep 1944; note extra aircraft loaded on deck destined for Hawaii, and camouflage pattern Measure 33 Design 10a. Photo 1 of 2.Carrier Ticonderoga off San Diego, California, United States, 16 Sep 1944; note extra aircraft loaded on deck destined for Hawaii, and camouflage pattern Measure 33 Design 10a. Photo 2 of 2.
18 Sep 1944

United States
3 Oct 1944

United States
27 Nov 1944

United States
2 Dec 1944

United States
  • USS Shamrock Bay embarked the aircraft of US Navy squadron VC-93 at San Diego, California, United States; the aircraft of VC-42 were already on board. ww2dbase [Shamrock Bay | San Diego, California | CPC]
3 Dec 1944

United States
1 Jan 1945

Photo(s) dated 1 Jan 1945
USS Bennington steaming out of San Diego, California en route Pearl Harbor, Hawaii with a deck load of aircraft, 1 Jan 1945.
9 Jan 1945

United States
5 Apr 1945

United States
  • The third FR Fireball prototype aircraft was destroyed in a crash over Lindbergh Field, San Diego, California, United States. ww2dbase [FR Fireball | San Diego, California | CPC]
22 May 1945

United States
25 Jul 1945

United States
27 Jul 1945

United States
3 Sep 1945

United States
5 Sep 1945

United States
16 Sep 1945

United States
22 Sep 1945

United States
  • USS Becuna arrived at San Diego, California, United States and was assigned to the Submarine Force of the US Navy Pacific Fleet. ww2dbase [Becuna | San Diego, California | CPC]
2 Nov 1945

United States
  • USS Shamrock Bay arrived at San Diego, California, United States, bringing back US servicemen from Pacific bases. ww2dbase [Shamrock Bay | San Diego, California | CPC]
13 Nov 1945

United States
12 Jan 1946

United States
27 Jan 1946

United States
12 Feb 1946

United States
2 Mar 1946

United States
  • USS Spot completed her duty with anti-submarine warfare training units at San Diego, California, United States. ww2dbase [Spot | San Diego, California | CPC]
23 Apr 1946

United States
27 Jan 1947

United States
  • USS Charr arrived at San Diego, California, United States, ending the simulated war patrol. During the patrol she visited Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii; Subic Bay, Philippine Islands; Shanghai and Qingdao, China; and Yokosuka, Japan. ww2dbase [Charr | San Diego, California | CPC]
1 Feb 1947

United States
15 Feb 1947

United States
25 Sep 1950

United States
4 Jan 1952

United States
26 Mar 1952

United States
2 Oct 1952

United States
12 Jun 1953

United States
21 Sep 1953

United States
23 Mar 1954

United States
13 Jun 1954

United States
23 Jul 1954

United States
7 Dec 1954

United States
15 Dec 1954

United States
18 Aug 1955

United States
3 Apr 1956

United States
4 Jun 1956

United States
  • USS Charr departed San Diego, California, United States for the First Fleet Pacific Training Exercise in San Francisco Bay area to the north. ww2dbase [Charr | San Diego, California | CPC]
15 Oct 1956

United States
1 Nov 1956

United States
31 Jan 1957

United States
14 Oct 1957

United States
11 Sep 1958

United States
  • USS Charr departed San Diego, California, United States for exercises with Canadian Navy vessels. ww2dbase [Charr | San Diego, California | CPC]
28 Oct 1959

United States
11 Jul 1960

United States
  • USS Charr departed San Diego, California, United States for Olympia, Washington, United States for the Capitol Lake Fair Celebration. ww2dbase [Charr | San Diego, California | CPC]
14 Dec 1960

United States
24 Feb 1961

United States
  • USS Charr departed San Diego, California, United States for a tour in Asian waters. ww2dbase [Charr | San Diego, California | CPC]
17 Aug 1961

United States
17 Mar 1962

United States
17 May 1962

United States
3 Nov 1962

United States
  • USS Charr departed San Diego, California, United States for a tour in Asian waters. ww2dbase [Charr | San Diego, California | CPC]
10 May 1963

United States
13 May 1963

Photo(s) dated 13 May 1963
USS Preston passing Point Loma and into open water as she leaves San Diego, California, United States, 13 May 1963
1 Jul 1963

United States
29 Nov 1963

United States
13 Feb 1967

United States
  • USS Charr departed San Diego, California, United States for Puget Sound, Washington, United States. ww2dbase [Charr | San Diego, California | CPC]
23 May 1967

United States
11 Jul 1969

United States
  • USS Rock departed San Diego, California, United States for Hawaii, United States in support of fleet training operations. ww2dbase [Rock | San Diego, California | CPC]
18 Jul 1970

Photo(s) dated 18 Jul 1970
USS Hancock, USS Midway, USS Kitty Hawk, and USS Ticonderoga at Pier J, Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California, United States, 18 Jul 1970
17 May 1972

Photo(s) dated 17 May 1972
Carrier Ticonderoga underway off San Diego, California, United States after departing Naval Air Station, North Island for Vietnam, 17 May 1972
1 Sep 1973

United States
16 Nov 1973

United States
1 Sep 1975

United States

Timeline Section Founder: Thomas Houlihan
Contributors: Alan Chanter, C. Peter Chen, Thomas Houlihan, Hugh Martyr, David Stubblebine
Special Thanks: Rory Curtis




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"With Germany arming at breakneck speed, England lost in a pacifist dream, France corrupt and torn by dissension, America remote and indifferent... do you not tremble for your children?"

Winston Churchill, 1935