The squadron was originally named the Mediterranean Squadron and renamed following the American Civil War. In 1905, the squadron was absorbed into the North Atlantic Fleet.

In June 1917, the United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters was organized. Following World War I, in 1922, a separate naval presence in Europe was organized as Naval Forces, Europe.

Commanders

• Admiral Louis Malesherbes Goldsborough (1865 – 1867)
• Admiral David Farragut (1867 – 1868)
• ??
• Admiral Augustus Case (1873 – 1875)
• Admiral John Lorimer Worden (1875 – 1877)
• ??
• Amdiral James W. Nicholson (16 September 1881 – February 1883
• ??
• Admiral James A. Greer (1887 – 1889)
• ??
• Admiral Thomas O. Selfridge, Jr. (1895 – 1898)

References