Ft. Mason, Lower Reservation (San Francisco)

Before the Spanish American War, half of Fort Mason was sand dunes. As America's influence radiated across the Pacific - to Hawaii, Guam, the Philippines, and China - the Army filled in a shallow cove and constructed three piers and four concrete warehouses.

Fort Mason became the Army's supply and transportation center for the Pacific.

On December 7, 1941, the attack on Pearl Harbor brought America and Fort Mason into World War II. Fort Mason served as the headquarters for the San Francisco Port Embarkation (SFPOE) which funneled supplies and troops to the Pacific Theater of war Over 1 ½ million passengers and 23 million ship tons of cargo (one ship ton equally 40 cubic feet) left the SFPOE, Fort Mason was a scene of constant activity with buildings squeezed into every available space. Liberty Ships lined the piers as they were stuffed to capacity for their Pacific voyage. These same "ugly ducklings" brought home our soldiers and supplies at the end of the war. Today, the Liberty Ship Jeremiah O'Brien, docked at Pier 3, is a proud reminder of the past and is open to the general public.

Fort Mason's piers were also active through the Korean War and the early 1960's.

www.militarymuseum.org/Pt%20San%20Jose.html