US Naval Districts and Regional Records
The U.S. Naval Districts consisted of 17 Naval Districts and Naval District Washington. The first thirteen naval districts and Naval District Washington were established in 1903. The remaining districts were established between 1916 through 1944. Over time some districts were disestablished and absorbed into another district. In 1980 the district system was dissolved with the exception of Naval District Washington. From 1980 through approximately 1999 the various base commanders took on the responsibilities that previously fell under the District commands. By 1999 the Navy had stood up the Navy Regions. And in 2003 the Navy stood up the Naval Installations Command with the responsibility of overseeing the Navy Regions.
Naval District Washington - Est. 1903-Current
Established in 1903 the Naval District Washington is headquartered in Washington, DC. As a Naval District the command functions were largely integrated with the Commandant, Washington Navy Yard. The geographic area of concern includes the District of Columbia, the Maryland Counties of Anne Arundel, Prince Georges, Montgomery, St. Mary's, Calvert, and Charles, and the Virginia Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Stafford, King George, Prince William, and Westmoreland. Some of these geographic areas were initially included with the Fifth Naval District, but were removed from that jurisdiction in 1918. A need for a greater level of coordination for the bases within Naval District Washington arose in 1941. To facilitate the need for coordinating functions already existent in other Districts, the Navy established the Severn River Naval Command and the Potomac River Naval Command. Naval District Washington is the only remaining Naval District and was integrated into the establishment of the Navy Regions and remains unchanged as Naval District Washington. The Navy Regions were officially established in 2003.
*Contact National Archives in Washington, DC for records dated 1903-1940.
*Contact National Archives in College Park, MD for records dated 1940-Most Recent.
*Contact National Archives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for records dated 1942-1961.
1st Naval District - Est. 1903-1976 (Absorbed into 4th)
Established in 1903 with staff assigned in 1915 the 1st Naval District was headquartered in Portsmouth, NH. In 1945 the headquarters changed to Boston, MA. The District’s geographic area of concern included Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island (including Block Island). The First Naval District was disestablished in 1976 and with responsibilities transferred to the 4th Naval District.
*Contact National Archives in Boston, MA for records dated 1903-1976.
2nd Naval District - Est. 1903-1919 (Split between 1st and 3rd)
Established in 1903 the 2nd Naval District was headquartered in Newport, RI. The District’s geographic area of concern included Rhode Island. The 2nd Naval District was disestablished in 1919 after the end of World War 1. The District’s responsibilities were primarily transferred to 1st Naval District, with some responsibilities possibly being transferred to the 3rd Naval District.
*Contact National Archives in Boston, MA for records dated 1903-1919.
3rd Naval District - Est. 1903-1976 (Absorbed into 4th)
Established in 1903 with staff assigned in 1903 the 3rd Naval District was headquartered in New York, NY. The District’s geographic area of concern included Connecticut, New York, the northern part of New Jersey (including the Counties of Mercer, Monmouth, and all counties north thereof), and the Nantucket Shoals Lightship. Initially Puerto Rico was included with the 3rd Naval District, however, it was removed in 1919 placed under the control of the Chief of Naval Operations. The 3rd Naval District was disestablished in 1976 and responsibilities were transferred to the 4th Naval District.
*Contact National Archives in New York, NY for records dated 1903-1976
4th Naval District - Est. 1903-1980 (Districts Disestablished)
Established in 1903 with staff assigned in 1915 the 4th Naval District was headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. The District’s geographic area of concern included Pennsylvania, the southern part of New Jersey (including the counties of Burlington, Ocean, and all counties south thereof), and Delaware (including Winter Quarters Shoal Light Vessel). In 1976 the 4th Naval District absorbed the functions and geographic areas of concerns of the 1st and 3rd Naval Districts. The 4th Naval District was disestablished in 1980 at which point the responsibilities were largely transferred to the various Echelon II Naval Commands and the individual Shore Installations.
*Contact National Archives in Philadelphia, PA for records dated 1903-1980.
5th Naval District - Est. 1903-1980 (Districts Disestablished)
Established in 1903 with staff assigned in 1915 the 5th Naval District was headquartered in Norfolk, VA. The District’s geographic area of concern included Maryland (less Anne Arundel, Prince Georges, Montgomery, St. Mary's, Calvert, and Charles Counties) West Virginia, Virginia (less Arlington, Fairfax, Stafford, King George, Prince William, and Westmoreland Counties) and the North Carolina Counties of Currituck, Camden, Pasquotank, Gates, Perquimans, Chowan, Tyrrell, Washington, Hyde, Beaufort, Pamlico, Craven, Jones, Carteret, Onslow, and Dare as well as the Diamond Shoal Lightship.The 5th Naval District was disestablished in 1980 at which point the responsibilities were largely transferred to the various Echelon II Naval Commands and the individual Shore Installations.
*Contact National Archives in Philadelphia, PA for records dated 1903-1980.
6th Naval District - Est. 1903-1980 (Districts Disestablished)
Established in 1903 with staff assigned sometime between 1916 and 1919 the 6th Naval District was headquartered in Charleston, SC. The District’s geographic area of concern included South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina,(less the Counties of Camden, Pasquotank, Gates, Perquimans, Chowan, Tyrrell, Washington, Hyde, Beaufort, Pamlico, Craven, Jones, Carteret, Onslow, and Dare) and the Florida Counties of Nassau and Duval. The 6th Naval District was disestablished in 1980 at which point the responsibilities were largely transferred to the various Echelon II Naval Commands and the individual Shore Installations.
*Contact National Archives in Atlanta, GA for records dated 1903-1980.
7th Naval District - Est. 1903-1948 (Absorbed into 6th)
Established in 1903 the 7th Naval District was headquartered in Key West, FL. In 1932 the headquarters transferred to Charleston, SC sharing headquarters space with the 6th Naval District. In 1942 the headquarters returned to Key West, FL, then moved to Miami, FL, and finally in 1946 moved to Jacksonville, FL. The District’s geographic area of concern included Florida except for the counties west of the Apalachicola River. Additionally, the Florida counties of Nassau and Duval were originally overseen by the Seventh Naval District, however, they transferred between the Sixth and Seventh Naval Districts until the Seventh Naval Districts disestablishment. The Seventh District was disestablished in 1948 and responsibilities were transferred to the Sixth Naval District.
*Contact National Archives in Atlanta, GA for records dated 1903-1948.
8th Naval District - Est. 1903-1980 (Districts Disestablished)
Established in 1903 the 8th Naval District was headquartered in New Orleans, LA. The headquarters moved to Pensacola, FL in 1924, and then back to New Orleans, LA in 1930. In 1933 Naval Operating Base New Orleans was closed and the duties of the Eighth Naval District were overseen by the Commandant of the Sixth and Seventh Naval District in Charleston, SC. In 1940 the headquarters was reestablished in New Orleans, LA. The District’s geographic area of concern included Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Florida Counties west of the Apalachicola River. The responsibilities of the Eighth Naval District were eventually assigned as an additional duty to the Chief of the Naval Reserve, also headquartered in New Orleans. The Eighth Naval District was officially disestablished in 1980 when the Naval Districts were dissolved.
*Contact National Archives in Fort Worth, TX for records dated 1903-1980.
9th Naval District - Est. 1903-1979 (Disestablished)
Established in 1903 and activated in 1911 the 9th Naval District was headquartered in Great Lakes, IL. The District’s geographic area of concern included Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas. The Ninth Naval District was disestablished in 1979 with the Districts primary duties transferred to Commander Naval Station Great Lakes. Unlike other Naval Districts, during its early operations Naval District Nine, Ten, and Eleven were operaterated as a quasi singular district referred to as Naval District Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh. This early quasi singular district was focused on the Great Lakes with the Ninth associated with Lake Michigan, the Tenth associated with Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, and the Eleventh associated with Lake Huron and Lake Superior.
*Contact National Archives in Chicago, Illinois.
*This includes the early records from the quasi singular “Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh District”
10th Naval District - Est. 1903-1975 (Absorbed into Fleet System)
Established in 1903 and activated in 1940 the 10th Naval District was headquartered in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The District’s geographic area of concern included Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Cuba, the Bahama Islands not included with the Seventh Naval District and the greater Caribbean area. The Tenth Naval District was disestablished in 1975 with the functions absorbed into the Fleet system. Unlike other Naval Districts, during its early operations Naval Districts Nine, Ten, and Eleven were operated as a quasi singular district referred to as Naval District Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh. This early quasi singular district was focused on the Great Lakes with the Ninth associated with Lake Michigan, the Tenth associated with Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, and the Eleventh associated with Lake Huron and Lake Superior.
*Contact National Archives in New York, New York.
11th Naval District - Est. 1903-1980 (District Disestablished)
Established in 1903 and segregated from the 9th Naval District in 1920 the 11th Naval District was headquartered in San Diego, California. The District’s geographic area of concern included New Mexico, Arizona, and Southern California (Santa Barbara County, Ventura County, Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, and all Counties south thereof). The Eleventh Naval District was disestablished in 1980 and its functions were transferred to the Commander Naval Base San Diego, California. Unlike other Naval Districts, during their early operations Naval District Nine, Ten, and Eleven were operaterated as a quasi singular district referred to as Naval District Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh. This early quasi singular district was focused on the Great Lakes with the Ninth associated with Lake Michigan, the Tenth associated with Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, and the Eleventh associated with Lake Huron and Lake Superior.
*Contact National Archives in Riverside, California.
12th Naval District - Est. 1903-1977 (Absorbed into 11th)
Established in 1903 and headquartered at Mare Island, Vallejo, California. By 1945 the headquarters had been relocated to San Francisco, California. The District’s geographic area of concern included Colorado, Utah, Nevaded (minus Clark County), and Northern California to include San Luis Obispo County, Kings County, Inyo County and all counties north thereof. The Twelfth Naval District was disestablished in 1977 with responsibilities transferred to the Eleventh Naval District. During World War II the Twelfth Naval District became the lead for logistical operations on the West Coast coordinating the logistical activities of the Eleventh, Twelfth, and Thirteenth Naval Districts.
*Contact National Archives in San Francisco, California.
13th Naval District - Est. 1903-1980 (District Disestablished)
Established in 1903 with staff assigned by 1919 the Thirteenth Naval District was headquartered at Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton, Washington. In 1926 the headquarters was transferred to Seattle, Washington. The District’s geographic area of concern included Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. In 1916 Alaska was included in the Thirteenth Naval District until Alaska and the Aleutian Islands became the Seventeenth Naval District in 1944. The Thirteenth Naval District was officially disestablished in 1980 when the Naval Districts were dissolved.
*Contact National Archives in Seattle, Washington.
14th Naval District - Est. 1916-1979 (Disestablished)
Established in 1916 with staff also assigned in 1916 the Fourteenth Naval District was headquartered in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The District’s geographic area of concern included the Hawaiian Islands, Midway Atoll (Sand Island), Wake Island, Kure Atoll, Johnston Island, and Kingman Reef. By 1951 Kwajalein Atoll and the Marshall Islands had been added to the Fourteenth Naval District. In 1979 the Fourteenth Naval District was disestablished with its primary responsibilities incorporated into the duties of the Command Naval Base Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
*Contact National Archives in San Francisco, California.
15th Naval District - Est. 1917-1975 (Disestablished)
Established in 1917 by executive order and staffed in 1918 the Fifteenth Naval District was headquartered at Balboa in the Canal Zone, Panama. The District’s geographic area of concern included the Canal Zone and the adjacent Pacific and Atlantic coastal waters. The Sixteenth Naval District was disestablished in 1975 with its primary responsibilities transferred to Panama Canal U.S. Naval Station
*Contact National Archives in New York, New York.
16th Naval District - Est. 1919-1942 (Effectively Disestablished)
Established in 1919 the Sixteenth Naval District was headquartered in Manila, Philippines. The District’s geographic area of concern included the Philippine Archipelago. The Sixteenth Naval District was effectively disestablished in 1942 with the invasion and capture of the Philippine Islands by Japanese forces. The Sixteenth Naval District was not reestablished 1944 with the Philippine Sea Frontier. Instead the District’s primary responsibilities were transferred to the Philippines Sea Frontier and the Sixteenth Naval District remained dissolved.
*A Central Repository of Sixteenth Naval District has not been identified within the National Archives. Sixteenth Naval District Records are primarily found in Record Group 38, Record Group 80, and Record Group 24.
*Contact National Archives in Washington, DC for records dated 1919-1940.
*Contact National Archives in College Park, MD for records dated 1940-1942.
17th Naval District - Est. 1944-1971 (Absorbed into 13th)
Established in 1944 the Seventeenth Naval District was headquartered temporarily in Adak, Alaska before moving permanently to Kodiak, Alaska.The District’s geographic area of concern included Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. The Seventeenth Naval District was disestablished in 1971 with the District’s primary functions transferred to the Thirteenth Naval District.
*Contact National Archives in Seattle, Washington for records dated 1944 - 1971.
Navy Regions
After 1980 the functions of the Naval Districts were generally transferred to the various installation commanders. For approximately 20 years the Navy operated without a standardized command system that oversaw the various Navy bases, stations, and other facilities. Sometime between 1996 and 1998 the Navy began developing the Navy Installation Command and the Navy Regions. The Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) was established in 2003 and the Navy Regions established as early as 1999. The original 12 Navy Regions included:
-Navy Region Northwest
-Navy Region Southwest
-Navy Region Southeast
-Navy Region Mid-Atlantic
-Navy Region Mid-West* (1999-2014, Disestablished)
-Navy Region Hawaii
-Navy Region Japan
-Navy Region Guam* (2009: Renamed Joint Region Marianas)
-Navy Region Korea
-Navy Region Europe* (Multiple name changes over time)
-Navy Region Singapore* (1999-2018: Placed under Navy Region Japan)
-Naval District Washington, DC
*Echoing the short existence of the Second Naval District, Navy Region Mid-West was established in 1999 and disestablished in 2014. The geographic area of concern for Navy Region Mid-West was divided between Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, Navy Region Southeast, and Navy Region Northwest.
*Navy Region Guam changed its title to Joint Region Marianas in 2009. In 2005 Congress directed the Military to streamline area operations across branches of the military resulting in several joint base operational areas. This included the joining of U.S. Naval Base Guam and Andersen Air Force Base into combined area operations. To reflect these additional and collaborative duties of joint area operations Navy Region Guam became Joint Region Marianas.
*Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central has undergone a number of name changes and has expanded its initial territory. Established in 2001 as Navy Region Europe, the Region had a significant expansion to its geographic area of concern adding bases located in Africa and Southwest Asia. With these additions Navy Region Europe changed its name to Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia. In 2019 This Region had another name change changing its name from Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia to Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central.
*In 2018 Navy Region Singapore was reduced to an Area Coordinator. Navy Region Singapore was placed under Navy Region Japan and retitled Singapore Area Coordinator. While still performing many of the functions it previously performed the Singapore Area Coordinator in now part of Navy Region Japan.