Bethesda in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
National Naval Medical Center in the 1940’s
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, December 15, 2012
1. National Naval Medical Center in the 1940’s Marker
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt selected this site on July 5, 1938. At the time, the site was a cabbage patch on a run down farm. This property was originally part of the “Clagetts’ Purchase” recorded in 1715. The original 772 acre tract has been subdivided and sold to various people over the years. The U.S. Government during 1938 and 1939 purchased 8 tracts of land which is now the site of the National Naval Medical Center campus. National Naval Medical Center is now located on 242 acres and is known as the “Flagship of Navy Medicine.” The Tower, Building 1, was dedicated on August 31, 1942.
Photos of FDR at the dedication of Building 1 and of a rural landscape dominated by the new hospital facilities.
Erected by U.S. Navy.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Military • Notable Places • Science & Medicine • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #32 Franklin D. Roosevelt series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 5, 1938.
Location. 39° 0.11′ N, 77° 5.72′ W. Marker is in Bethesda, Maryland, in Montgomery County. Memorial is on Wood Road (Maryland Route 355) 0.6 miles north of Rockville Pike (Maryland Route 355). Touch for map
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Old Spring House & Pool of Bethesda (within shouting distance of this marker); National Naval Medical Center (within shouting distance of this marker); "All are Welcome to the Healing Plaza" (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Walter Reed Memorial (about 700 feet away); Walter Reed Monument (about 700 feet away); The Centennial Anchor (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Paul G. Rogers Plaza (approx. 0.3 miles away); Honoring a Century of Women's Health (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bethesda.
Also see . . .
1. Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Atlas Obscura website entry:
FDR's Art Deco hospital tower was hopelessly inefficient. (Submitted on March 18, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. History of the Medical Department of the U.S. Navy in World War II, Volume I. Internet Archive website entry (Submitted on December 19, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
Additional keywords. U.S. Navy: U.S. Marine Corps; USNH Beth; Walter Reed National Military Medical Center; Joint Force Headquarters
![Walter Reed National Military Medical Center [formerly, the <i>National Naval Medical Center</i>] image. Click for full size.](Photos2/229/Photo229085.jpg?12182012114700PM "Walter Reed National Military Medical Center [formerly, the <i>National Naval Medical Center</i>]. Click for full size.")
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, December 15, 2012
2. Walter Reed National Military Medical Center [formerly, the National Naval Medical Center]
The Marker is visible, lower right - against the retaining wall at the base of the flag pole. The Tower, Building 1 is visible on the hill, upper right
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, December 15, 2012
3. The "National Naval Medical Center in the 1940’s" marker, on the stand to the left
Photographed By Grace C. Miller, December 15, 2012
4. The National Military Medical Center flag pole, viewed from Building One
December 21, 2013
5. "Naval Medical Center, Washington, DC - Main Building Group, Looking Southeast, December 12, 1941"
Credits. This page was last revised on August 7, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 18, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 747 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 18, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 4. submitted on December 19, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 5. submitted on December 29, 2013, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
