NAVSTA San Diego began operations in 1919 as a docking and fleet repair base for the US Shipping Board. The US Government was deeded 77.2 acres of land by the city of San Diego on September 1, 1919. U. S. Destroyer Base San Diego officially opened in 1922 marking the birth of this station. From 1922 to 1943 the primary mission of the base was upkeep and preservation of decommissioned World War I destroyers. In 1943, the name was changed to US Naval Repair Base, and the mission was altered to the repair and upkeep of modern US Navy warships. Between 1943 and 1945 a total of 5,117 ships were serviced, repaired, and over-hauled at the repair base. In 1946, US Naval Repair Base became Naval Station San Diego, with the primary mission of fleet logistic support.       HISTORY