I don't have much to go on here. Just trying to help a friend out with information she is gathering on her dad.

She states, I've been going through my Dad's Navy pictures and backing them up on a hard drive. I'm almost done! I have one picture holding me up....it's the only one with nothing written on it.

This is my Dad in 1952 or 1953. The picture was taken when his ship (USS Roosevelt) was in the Mediterranean. There were quite a few Ports of Call, and he had pictures from at least a dozen countries. I was hoping that someone would recognize the building behind my Dad.

I've learned through research that during her cruises in 1952–53, the carrier visited numerous Mediterranean ports, including Naples (Italy), Athens (Piraeus, Greece), Palermo, Genoa, and Greek islands like Rhodes and Corfu.

So given that information, my best guess would be Naples since there is a Naval base there and the building looks like an administrative building possibly on a base.

My friend said that since her dad did not write anything on the back of the photo, it could be a photo taken on Norfolk Naval Station, the ship's homeport.

I'm a retired Navy Chief and had been stationed in Norfolk at one time, and did a couple of port visits to Naples Italy during deployments.That said, I don't recognize that building specifically and can't say with certainty where the photo was taken.

Thanks for any and all help. Thank you.

That looks stateside to me. The building architecture/design/style is very American looking, I don't think that was oversees.

Uploaded the image to the picture location web page https://findpiclocation.com/

This is what it found:



The image features a man in a US Navy sailor's uniform, consistent with the style worn in the 1950s. He is positioned in front of a large, multi-story brick building with an institutional architectural style, notably featuring a prominent arched window. The number "310" is clearly visible on a sign within this large window. This specific building, identified as Building 310, is historically recognized as a barracks and training facility at the Naval Training Center Great Lakes (now Naval Station Great Lakes) in Illinois. This facility has served as the primary recruit training command for the US Navy for over a century. The combination of the uniform, the distinctive architectural style, and the specific building number "310" strongly indicates Naval Training Center Great Lakes as the location, perfectly aligning with the photo's 1952 date.

WOW !!! That was fast !!! You guys are awesome.
Thank you HRK !!!

Not positive but using google maps and an old map of the base you can find the location of Bld 310
Link to Map

On this older map, Bldg 310 is between Sampson and Isherwood, the map is sideways when compared to the street map on google, you have to rotate it to line up.

Satellite version of the google map shows the layout of the block same as the old base map.

Link Google Maps

Looks like the old buildings are gone.

Thanks HRK. Taking a look at her dad's uniform tells me he is likely in recruit training. There are no patches on his uniform. No rocker or anything.

Not sure what the lack of a neckerchief on his summer whites is an indication of if anything. The Navy uniform regs were a little different then than more recently of course. And that may not even be dress whites he's wearing. One would think maybe so but again, the uniform was a little different then and might be working whites or something. Dunno.

My dad went through Great Lakes in 1949 and I thought I had his boot camp book buried in a box in a closet but can't put my hands on it. Was going to see if I could find a Building 310 in it. No luck yet searching the web. Like you said, the old buildings are mostly gone.

Thanks again

7 minutes! Nicely done folks.

My father and uncle were both at the Great Lakes center in the very early '50s.

Before even scanning the rest of the thread I said to myself "That looks a lot like Great Lakes."

Without seeing the actual image, identifying the exact building is challenging, as many Mediterranean ports have similar architectural styles, especially in historic areas. However, I can offer some insights based on the ports of call and the description provided:

Naples, Italy: Naples has numerous historic buildings with classic architecture, including palaces, museums, and universities. A likely candidate could be near the port or a prominent site like the Royal Palace of Naples or the University of Naples Federico II, both featuring grand stone facades and courtyards. If the building has ornate details or a Baroque style, this could point to Naples.
Athens (Piraeus), Greece: Piraeus, the port for Athens, is less likely to have grand institutional buildings directly at the dock, but nearby Athens has iconic structures like the University of Athens or the National Library, known for neoclassical architecture with columns and stone facades. If the building resembles Greek classical or neoclassical style, Athens could be a strong contender.
Palermo, Italy: Palermo’s historic center includes buildings like the Palazzo dei Normanni or structures near the port with Sicilian Baroque or Norman influences. These often have stone exteriors and courtyards, fitting the description of a vintage building.
Genoa, Italy: Genoa’s port area and historic center feature Renaissance and Baroque architecture, such as the Palazzo Ducale or university buildings. A courtyard with a lawn and classic brick or stone facade could align with Genoa’s aesthetic.
Rhodes or Corfu, Greece: Rhodes’ medieval old town, with its stone buildings and courtyards, or Corfu’s Venetian-influenced architecture (e.g., near the Old Fortress) could match the description. These islands have historic structures that might resemble institutional or military buildings.
To narrow it down further:

Architecture Style: If the building has columns, arches, or neoclassical features, it might point to Athens or a Greek island. Baroque or ornate details could suggest Naples or Palermo. Venetian or medieval elements might indicate Corfu or Rhodes.
Courtyard/Lawn: A formal courtyard or lawn is more common at institutional sites like universities, museums, or government buildings, which are prevalent in all these cities.
Port Proximity: Since your father was on a naval ship, the photo was likely taken near the port or a short distance inland during shore leave. Ports like Naples and Piraeus have historic areas accessible from the docks.

Put into google

great lakes ntc building 310 from 1950s

You will get several that match…it’s NTC

Only Building 310 I can pull up at Great Lakes, was built in 1911, more commonly known at Building 1 (clock tower building) ... and that is not the building in the OP picture.

So while I'm strongly leaning toward the photo as being from Great Lakes, I can't prove it.

quote:

Originally posted by Patriot:
Put into google

great lakes ntc building 310 from 1950s

You will get several that match…it’s NTC

I did that and don’t see any pictures that match.

Google is awesome, had an old picture of my dad standing in front of a fountain in Germany in the 50's. Dad had no idea where it was, took Google all of 1 second to match the fountain and give me the location.