Quonset Point, Naval Air Station, Rhode Island

The United States Naval Air Station, Quonset Point,

RI, originally built as a Neutrality Patrol Seaplane

Base, eventually became a unique and fundamentally

important asset to the American armed forces. In

World War II, more than one half of all U-boats sunk by

U.S. aviation–including the first two–were destroyed

by Quonset-trained shore and carrier-based squadrons.

In the years following World War II, Quonset remained

a premier industrial naval air station, sending squadrons

or overhauling equipment for use in the Korean,

Vietnam, and Cold War conflicts. For thirty-four years

and through four wars, the Quonset Point Naval Air

Station stood proud and tall on behalf of the United

States military.