2152 Ferry Road, Alameda Point (On the lagoon across from the USS Hornet) 

WWII - USS Hornet (CV-8) Launched First Air Strike on Japan  Departed NAS Alameda April 2, 1942

After the devastation of Pearl Harbor on that day that lives in infamy. Hornet (CV-8 the 7^th Hornet ) arrived at NAS Alameda 20 March 1942. With her own planes on the hangar deck, she loaded 16 Army B-25 bombers on the flight deck. Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel James H. Doolittle 70 officers and 64 enlisted men reported aboard. In company of escort ships Hornet departed NAS Alameda 2 April and embarked on her mission under sealed orders. That afternoon Captain Mitscher informed his men of their mission: 

The first Air raid on the heart of Japan, 4 month after the Peal Harbor Sneak Attack.

 Uniquely named after this Presidential statement the USS Shangri-La (CV-38) was launched on 24 February 1944. 

First Transcontinental Railroad Terminal

On September 6, 1869, first transcontinental railroad train linking two great oceans and consisting of twelve cars and three locomotives arrived at the wharf terminal location now covered by lagoon for take-off trans-pacific planes, midway down pier 2 within Naval Air Station Alameda.  California Historical Landmark (#440) 

First terminus of the Transcontinental Railroad at foot of Pacific Ave., Alameda (Oakland Public Library)

On May 10, 1869, Union Pacific and Central Pacific met at Promontory Summit, Utah Territory. Completeing this nation's first transcontinental railroad. The original locomotives "Jupiter" and "No. 119" were scrapped. (Golden Spike National Historic Site)

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NAS Alameda Air Terminal Museum Under Threat From Development

On Thursday, August 7, 2008 land development interests held a meeting on the hangar deck of the USS Hornet. They presented their latest plans for the redevelopment of NAS Alameda.  The plans call for tearing down the Alameda Naval Air Museum (ANAM) Located in the Air Terminal. 

The NAS Air Terminal Museum should be restored and it could be a center piece to develop around. The loss of this Historic site and museum would be highly inappropriate.

The Museum needs your Help. Please contact Marilyn York, President of the Museum Board (510-317-2207).

We were greeted at the entrance by Museum President Marilyn York an 86 year old, clear eyed, intelligent woman.  Holding her hand was Chief Petty Officer Bronson Parry U.S. Navy Retired. The Chief is a museum Board Member in charge of Community Outreach. They are both very passionate about about this museum. They wish to preserve the old Air Terminal which houses the Historical Artifacts.

Left: Museum President and Founder Marilyn York, former WWII Wave and civilian Base worker with Chief Parry U.S. Nave Retired
Below: Reporter Robert Souza, Chief Parry, Frank Musso, Former Liver more City Manager and Museum Member Bob Swanson
  We were told of the concern they have for the preservation of the Air Terminal Site that houses the Alameda Naval Air Museum. Many Volunteer hours have been put in to make this an archive of historical significance for the Community and to the Honor the Sailors that served here through World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam.

Bob Swanson, a familiar face about town, was first introduced to Castro Valley when he came to visit a Navy buddy after returning from Vietnam to his new post at the Alameda Naval Air Station. (More)
bswanson7@sbcglobal.net

Panoramic Photo Taken From in Front of  Administration Building 1

Panoramic Photo Taken in Front of  Enlisted Mess Hall

Panoramic Photo of Bachelor Officer Quarters (BOQ)

Photo of Inside VSF-1 Hangar 22