I’ve wondered for a long time about this mysterious plaque on San Diego’s Embarcadero. It’s located on the Greatest Generation Walk, right next to the USS Midway Museum, and stands back-to-back with a Pearl Harbor Survivors Plaque which I blogged about here.
Thousands of people walk by this old, corroded plaque every day, but I can find absolutely nothing on the internet about its origin. An image framed by rope includes several vessels, including a tall ship (perhaps the USS Constitution), an ironclad (perhaps the USS Monitor), an old warship with a side-mounted gun, an aircraft carrier, and some jets flying overhead. Words indicate the plaque commemorates the United States Navy’s 200 years of Building on a Proud Tradition. The United States Navy began in 1775 and celebrated its bicentennial in 1975.
Obviously, whoever placed the plaque at this location must know something about its history. But even the Port of San Diego website, where the other monuments on the Greatest Generation Walk are listed and described, says nothing about it!
The slab that it’s embedded in appears very similar to the slab right next to it, containing the Pearl Harbor Survivors Plaque. But I’ve found nothing specific about that plaque, either!
Perhaps someone out there can identify this mystery plaque! What the heck is it? Where did it come from? Help solve this mystery!
UPDATE!
I received more information about this plaque from the Port of San Diego. Please visit this blog post!
UPDATE!
William Abell wrote the following in the comment section:
My name is William Abell and I was an ML3 aboard the USS Ajax AR6 and I helped create this plaque in the ship’s foundry in 1975. I have a certificate from Admiral J L Holloway III commemorating the plaque’s creation and my part in its creation. The date on the certificate is Oct 13, 1975. The plaque was to be a gift to the City of San Diego. I am now a retired police commander living in Monroe WA.
UPDATE!
A subsequent comment directed me to the following information:
I am Molder Chief Petty Officer Jesse G. Lopez USN Ret. The foundry crew from Navy Repair Ship USS Ajax AR-6, created the pattern which was made by Patternmaker Chief Carlos De Santiago USN RET and molded by myself when I was a MLFN. Petty Officer Abell was our Third Class in charge of the molders.
AMAZING UPDATE!
I’ve received detailed information about the plaque, including photographs of its creation and creators! Click here!
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Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog….. An Author Promotions Enterprise! and commented:
If YOU have information, please contact Richard on his blog – A neglected piece of artwork (and memorial) is like a book NO-ONE has ever read apart from the author! 😦
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It would be really cool to find something out!
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Fingers crossed someone out there knows something about it Richard 😀
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You might try here. http://www.archives.gov/ they have endless information and will help you with research.
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I’ll see what I can find out!
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Not having much luck. Can’t raise a result on their search engine that even seems close!
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I’ve been to about 12 sites and nothing! I even tried the San Diego architects and came up blank. Someone HAS to know, have tried contacting the Midway museum?
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No, but that’s a good idea. I’ll fire off an email when I get home tonight from work!
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I can’t seem to let this go. I’ve emailed someone who might have info and if I do not get a good answer – I’ve copied the pictures and will put it within my scheduled post. This is ridiculous that no one knows.
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I just got home, and I’m going to email the Midway Museum and the Port of San Diego in a couple minutes…
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Hi there Richard, just popping over to say many thanks for the follow on my own wee blog. Welcome aboard. having read your about page I think it is great that you love where you live and want to show it to the world. Keep on clicking and have a great week. MM 🍀
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You have a great week, too!
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I received a reply from your San Diego Library with a link and an attachment of a pamphlet showing and explaining the Greatest Generation Walk – your rock is NOT there.! But perhaps you would have more luck explaining and sending a picture – here is the link
http://www.portofsandiego.org/public-art/greatest-generation-walking-tour.html
Here’ wishing you the best of luck!!
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Cool. Thanks! I emailed the Port of San Diego last night, plus the Midway Museum’s historian. Maybe we’ll find something out…
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It’s been a couple days since I sent off my emails. Nothing yet. Perhaps this will remain a mystery. Which would be a shame!
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Just got a reply from the Port of San Diego! They’re going to get back to me with some info! Stand by for an update when I hear!
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I’m still hoping….
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I was told in an email by the Port of San Diego’s that their art department would look into it. If I don’t have a reply by next Monday, I’ll send a follow-up email.
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Follow-up email has been sent…
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So far, no luck. Someone out there must know something about the origin of this plaque. Perhaps there’s a Navy or military historian..? Hopefully someone will read this and provide some helpful feedback! Even a small clue might be useful! This mystery has made me more curious than ever!
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especially since you get no reply- I haven’t forgotten about it, was just waiting for your reply – I’ll continue to try….
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Somebody has to know something!
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Agreed!
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My name is William Abell and I was an ML3 aboard the USS Ajax AR6 and I helped create this plaque in the ship’s foundry in 1975. I have a certificate from Admiral J L Holloway III commemorating the plaque’s creation and my part in its creation. The date on the certificate is Oct 13, 1975. The plaque was to be a gift to the City of San Diego. I am now a retired police commander living in Monroe WA.
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Thank you! I vaguely remember seeing your plaque many, many years ago out on the Broadway Pier, in the early 1980’s. Today it’s located in a true place of honor, where a large number of people pass by every day. It’s an important part of San Diego’s history! Thanks for leaving a comment and clearing up this small mystery!
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Reblogged this on jlopezandfamily52 and commented:
I have more information about the Mystery Plaque. I was MLFN Jesse G. Lopez and the molder that made the plaque! On aboard USS Ajax
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Wow! Thanks for the info! I’m at work right now, so I’ll check out your blog when I get home tonight. If you’ve written something about the plaque on your blog, I’ll reblog it!
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