Ever distrustful of the Chinese merchants who called on every port from Japan to the Arabian Peninsula, the Spanish passed laws restricting their entry into the capital city of Manila.

These Chinese merchants, then known as sangleys, could, however, sell their wares across the bay from the city on the narrow strip of land that would eventually bear their name.

In addition to their role as international traders, Chinese artisans and craftsmen were employed as inexpensive labor by the Spanish shipbuilders who built ships at Sangley that were used in the galleon trade route between Manila and Acapulco.

In anticipation of hostilities with Spain, then Assistant Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt ordered the U.S. Asiatic Fleet, under the command of Commodore George Dewey aboard USS Olympia, to proceed to the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong.

After war with Spain had broken out following the explosion of USS Maine in Havana, Cuba, Dewey proceeded to the Philippines and arrived at Subic Bay just before sunset on 30 April 1898.

The ships stealthily moved past the south side of the island fortress, through Boca Grande, and into Manila Bay.

Shortly after midnight they had nearly passed unnoticed when soot in USS McCulloch's smokestack caught fire, revealing the squadron's position.

Spanish batteries on the south shore near Punta Restinga and on El Fraile Island opened fire on the shadowy ships.

Then, off to the right, they spotted a number of white buildings on the narrow strip of land known as Sangley Point, and beyond them a line of dark gray objects on the water.

The Spanish ships were anchored in an arch stretching eastward and southward from the mouth of Cañacao Bay near the tip of Sangley Point.

As they approached, the column of American ships, with Olympia at the head of the line followed by Baltimore, Raleigh, Petrel, Concord, and Boston, gradually turned to starboard, bringing their port guns to bear on the Spanish fleet.

Although trapped in the narrow confines of Cañacao Bay, the Spanish fleet managed to maintain a heavy barrage of return fire.

Just after 11:00 AM, after determining that the report of low ammunition was in error and that his ships had suffered little or no battle damage, Dewey re-engaged the enemy.

They rehabilitated and expanded the facilities and used them for the repair of their own craft and the construction of small wooden vessels for coastal shipping of supplies.

Early in 1955, top echelon planners of the Navy recognized the importance of Sangley Point services and designated it a permanent facility.

It also supported two patrol squadrons of sea planes, deployed on Sangley on a rotational basis to help fulfill the Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines.

In 1945, upon the return of the Americans and in anticipation of the possible allied invasion of the Japanese mainland, an 8,000-foot (2,400 m) runway was constructed, along with the associated air operations and maintenance facilities.

As the number of dependents increased, the school began to grow, eventually adding a kindergarten and the eighth, ninth, and tenth grades.

The prize of a U.S. Savings Bond went to Jackie Newell and Craig Wilcox ('56–'59) for choosing a name which commemorated the American naval hero of the Revolutionary War, John Paul Jones (JPJ).

In 1967, JPJ came under the supervision of the United States Air Force and was incorporated into the District II, Pacific Area, Department of Defense Dependent Schools.

Plans were in the works for the construction of a new school when official word came on 10 December 1970, that Naval Station Sangley Point was to terminate operations as a U.S. facility.

On 1 July 1971, Sangley Point changed its status from active to inactive in preparation for the turnover of the facility to the government of the Philippines.

A total of 2,500 tons and 1,500,000 cubic feet (42,000 m3) of material assets were identified, packed and shipped by sea and land to various other U.S. military bases.

Approximately 300,000 pounds of materials and supplies were prepared for turnover to the government of the Philippines, including 375 buildings, 77 structures and 60 utilities systems and improvements.

On-the-job-training sessions were conducted for Philippine naval personnel to ensure the safe and proper operation of all base industrial facilities.

The Department of Transportation had “no objection" to an offer building a P508-billion airport complex on reclaimed land in Sangley Point.

The upcoming international airport was pursued as a joint venture between investors, including Chinese enterprises, and the Cavite LGU.

[5] In February 2020, the Sangley Point Airport was opened for small commercial aircraft and started hosting regular domestic passenger and cargo flights.