Tag: midway

Help solve a Navy mystery in San Diego!

Corroded plaque shows tallship, ironclad, early warship, aircraft carrier and jets.
Corroded plaque shows tallship, ironclad, early warship, aircraft carrier and jets.

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!

Mysterious plaque by Midway Museum commemorates Navy's 200 year anniversary.
Mysterious plaque by Midway Museum commemorates Navy’s 200 year anniversary.

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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Flag Day in downtown San Diego.

Tangled flag hangs in front of San Diego hotel.
Tangled flag hangs in front of San Diego hotel.

Today is national Flag Day. So during my afternoon walk around downtown San Diego I took photos exclusively of American flags. Here are some shots that you might find interesting…

American flags top many tall office buildings.
American flags top many tall office buildings.
Flag Day celebrated from a downtown rooftop.
Flag Day celebrated from a modest downtown rooftop.
Reflection on windows of big American flag mural.
Reflection on windows of big American flag mural.
Bald eagle and American flag mural on Beech Street wall.
Bald eagle and American flag mural on Beech Street wall.
Patriotic flags on USS Midway superstructure.
Patriotic flags on USS Midway Museum superstructure.
Red, white and blue adorn cafe below flight deck.
Red, white and blue adorn cafe below USS Midway flight deck.
Small boat cruises San Diego Bay with flag.
Small boat cruises around San Diego Bay with flag.
Gulls take flight by American flag on Embarcadero.
Gulls take flight by American flag on busy Embarcadero.
Old Town Trolley Tours booth has a flag out.
Old Town Trolley Tours booth has a flag out.
Flag in the sea breeze above Star of India.
Flag flies proudly in the sea breeze above Star of India.

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A national tribute to Bob Hope and the military.

Bronze audience listens to a Bob Hope comedy routine.
Bronze audience listens to a Bob Hope comedy routine.

Perhaps you fondly remember Bob Hope. Millions do. I do.

In San Diego, a fantastic tribute to the legendary comedian can be found on the Greatest Generation Walk, just south of the USS Midway Museum. Sixteen life-sized bronze figures show Bob doing a comedy routine for assorted American service members from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. An outdoor speaker plays old recordings of him telling his inimitable jokes. For five decades Bob Hope entertained the troops during his many USO tours.

Thanks for the memories.

The famous profile of legendary comedian Bob Hope.
The famous profile of legendary American comedian Bob Hope.
USS Midway can be seen behind the bronze service members.
USS Midway can be seen behind the bronze service members.
USO tours by Bob Hope over many decades are recalled.
USO tours by Bob Hope over many decades are recalled.
Man poses with bronze sculptures of American military.
Man poses with bronze sculptures of American military heroes.
Bob Hope entertains troops by USS Midway Mueum and Unconditional Surrender statue.
Bob Hope entertains troops by the USS Midway Museum and the Unconditional Surrender “Kiss” statue.
A national tribute to Bob Hope and the military.
A National Salute to Bob Hope and the Military.

San Diego’s Embarcadero made more beautiful.

Trees ready for planting in new park on Embarcadero.
Trees ready for planting in new park on Embarcadero.

Major improvements to the North Embarcadero are well underway, and I was able to get some interesting pics yesterday!

Harbor Drive is undergoing a facelift from the Coast Guard Station down to the USS Midway Museum. This area is considered San Diego’s front doorstep, but until this renovation it’s been more parking lot than park.

Many large-scale changes are going to make San Diego even more beautiful! The two ugly parking lots on either side of the County Administration Building are being transformed into grassy waterfront parks; Harbor Drive is being made more pedestrian friendly with pavilions, flower beds and new restrooms; most of the traffic on Harbor Drive will now be diverted onto Pacific Highway.

I’m really looking forward to the project’s completion!

Workers prepare public park near Star of India.
Workers prepare public park near Star of India.
County Administration Building will have grass parks on either side.
County Administration Building will have grass parks on either side.
Working on a new pavilion on San Diego's front doorstep.
Working on a new pavilion on San Diego’s front doorstep.
New pavilion being built behind the Bay Cafe.
New pavilion being built behind the Bay Cafe.
Sign near Broadway Pier describes Embarcadero improvements.
Sign near Broadway Pier describes Embarcadero improvements.
Anchor on Harbor Drive near USS Midway Museum.
Anchor on Harbor Drive near USS Midway Museum.

Here are two pics I took on 5/24/14…

New waterfront pavilion under construction.
New waterfront pavilion under construction.
Building made of words to be part of new Embarcadero.
Building made of words to be part of new Embarcadero.

And two more pics from 9/20/14…

Pavilion near Broadway will complete part of North Embarcadero Visionary Plan.
Pavilion near Broadway will complete part of North Embarcadero Visionary Plan.
The word SKY allows light to shine in from the sky!
The word SKY allows light to shine in from the sky!

UPDATE!

I took the following pictures on November 9, 2014. The improvements around the Broadway Pier appear to be nearly finished!

New pavilion near Broadway Pier is almost finished in early November 2014.
New pavilion near Broadway Pier is almost finished in early November 2014.
Colorful glass, shiny surfaces and word-shaped skylights are a delight!
Colorful glass, shiny surfaces and word-shaped skylights are a delight!
Worker putting final touches on a booth to be used by harbor cruise company.
Worker putting final touches on a ticket booth to be used by harbor cruise company.
Word shining from roof of pavilion spells JOY.
Word shining from roof of pavilion spells JOY.
Restroom walls are formed of crazy letters spelling various words.
Restroom walls are formed of crazy letters spelling various words.
A new hotel is rising across Harbor Drive, at site of old Lane Field, north of Broadway.
A new hotel is rising across Harbor Drive, at site of old Lane Field, north of Broadway.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall in San Diego.

The Wall That Heals honors Vietnam War veterans.
The Wall That Heals honors Vietnam War veterans.

This morning around seven I walked over to the grassy park just south of the USS Midway Museum.  I wanted to see The Wall That Heals.

A half-scale traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the black wall is inscribed with over 58,000 names.  Each name belongs to a serviceman who made the ultimate sacrifice during that war.

I’m sure the weekend crowds will be huge, but early on a Friday morning very few people were about.

The Wall That Heals and several thought-provoking displays that accompany it will remain in San Diego through Sunday.

If all of the names could be in one place, these names would have great power.
If all of the names could be in one place…
Helmet and boots from Vietnam War era.
Helmet and boots from Vietnam War era.
Friends of the Forgotten, remembering those who sacrificed.
Friends of the Forgotten, remembering those who sacrificed.
The Gold Star Bike on public display.
The Gold Star Bike on public display.
Welcome to The Wall That Heals.
Welcome to The Wall That Heals.
Flowers and the names of over 58,000 who gave their lives.
Flowers and the names of over 58,000 who gave their lives.

UPDATE…

I took the following photos Sunday afternoon around one o’clock.

Half-size replica of Vietnam Veterans Memorial in San Diego.
Half-size replica of Vietnam Veterans Memorial in San Diego.
People read names inscribed on The Wall That Heals.
People read names inscribed on The Wall That Heals.

Colorful pics from Greatest Generation Walk.

Family walks from the Aircraft Carrier Memorial.
Family walks from the Aircraft Carrier Memorial.

The Greatest Generation Walk, roughly between the USS Midway Museum and the Fish Market Restaurant, is always a hub of activity during the weekend.  There’s a huge load of stuff to do and see!  Lots of people were out and about yesterday!

Bikers and tour bus in parking lot on Embarcadero.
Bikers and tour bus in parking lot on Embarcadero.
People look at USS San Diego Memorial.
People look at USS San Diego Memorial.
Guys check out the USS San Diego Memorial.
Guys check out the USS San Diego Memorial.
Photo being taken of USS Midway aircraft carrier.
Photo being taken of USS Midway aircraft carrier.
In concrete. I shall return. General Douglas MacArthur. 1942.
In concrete. I shall return. General Douglas MacArthur. 1942.
People in a tiny Go Car enjoy a GPS tour of San Diego.
People in a tiny GoCar enjoy a GPS tour of San Diego.
Falun Gong activist holds up sign on sidewalk.
Falun Gong activist holds up sign on sidewalk.
Falun Gong poster on sidewalk near Unconditional Surrender statue.
Falun Gong poster on sidewalk near Unconditional Surrender statue.
Mingling among bronze soldiers at the Bob Hope Tribute.
Mingling among bronze soldiers at the Bob Hope Tribute.
Fishing from a small boat near USS Midway Museum.
Fishing from a small boat near USS Midway Museum.
Small cute dog enjoys a ride on a San Diego pedicab.
Small cute dog enjoys a ride on a San Diego pedicab.

Restored Wildcat fighter lifted onto USS Midway.

Wildcat fighter plane arrives at Navy Pier.
Wildcat fighter plane arrives at Navy Pier.

Every so often a new plane is added to the Midway Museum collection.  The historic aircraft carrier USS Midway, active from 1945 to 1992, now has a couple dozen restored airplanes among its exhibits.  Today the latest addition was hoisted up onto the dockside elevator by crane from the pier below!  I was there to snap a few cool pics!

The last time I saw an airplane brought over from North Island, where the restorations take place, it was by barge.  So I was surprised this time when a plane arrived on the back of a truck.  This F4F Wildcat is a specimen  of the small carrier-based fighter that helped to win the Battle of Midway during World War II.  This particular plane was salvaged from the bottom of Lake Michigan.  Restoration in a special hangar at Naval Air Station North Island, across San Diego Bay, took three years.  You’ll notice the wings are missing from the fuselage.  They came in on a second truck!

The first photo shows the Wildcat arriving on the opposite side of Navy pier.

Historic airplane transported by truck to USS Midway.
Historic airplane transported by truck to USS Midway.

The truck has pulled alongside USS Midway’s dockside elevator, which is lowered and ready to receive the new exhibit.

Preparing to lift Wildcat onto USS Midway's elevator.
Preparing to lift Wildcat onto USS Midway’s elevator.

A small crane waits off to the left to lift the airplane.  Here we see some preliminary preparations.

Crane begins to lift F4F Wildcat onto USS Midway.
Crane begins to lift F4F Wildcat onto USS Midway.

Up it goes!  Everybody was extremely careful that no mishaps occurred!

Aircraft is placed on USS Midway while people watch from flight deck.
Aircraft is placed on USS Midway while people watch from flight deck.

And finally the F4F Wildcat is aboard its new home!  This plane will be part of a three dimensional theater exhibit called Battle of Midway Experience.  I can’t wait to see it!

Plaque remembers Pearl Harbor victims.

plaque memorializes victims of pearl harbor

This plaque, embedded in a large old slab, is located on the Embarcadero. You’ll find it right next to the USS Midway Museum, at the north end of the Greatest Generation Walk. It remembers the victims of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

It reads:

IN MEMORY OF THE 2335 MEN WHO PERISHED IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY ON THE ISLAND OF OAHU.

It looks like the memorial was unveiled by a local chapter of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association in 1984. I’m not sure where the plaque was located originally. I searched the internet briefly, but found nothing.

UPDATE!

I’ve learned that this plaque was originally located on the Broadway Pier, prior to its renovation a few years ago.  This post contains more info I received from the Port of San Diego.

Pedicab drivers wait near Pearl Harbor plaque.
Pedicab drivers wait near Pearl Harbor plaque.

Jet fighter on elevator of USS Midway Museum.

fighter jet on uss midway elevator

Usually the huge elevator on the south side of the USS Midway Museum contains a few tables and chairs. When I walked by and took the above photo, it featured an F-4 Phantom II jet fighter that flew during the Vietnam War!

The historic USS Midway, a modern aircraft carrier converted into a museum, has become one of the most popular attractions in San Diego. It’s docked on the old Navy Pier right next to downtown. Over a million people visit the Midway each year!

Over time the museum continues to add refurbished military aircraft exhibits. The flight deck is now crowded with them, and the hangar below is filling up. The old airplanes are fixed up and painted by volunteers at Naval Air Station North Island across San Diego Bay, then brought over to the Midway on a barge and lifted onto the flight deck with a big crane. I saw this happen once years ago and it was a very cool sight!

UPDATE!  I took the next photo on a sunny day the following summer…

This A-4 Skyhawk of the Black Knights attack squadron was once based on USS Oriskany.
This A-4 Skyhawk of the Black Knights attack squadron was once based on USS Oriskany.

ANOTHER UPDATE!  Here come two more pics that I took in late 2014.  It seems the A-4 Skyhawk is now a permanent feature on the elevator…

Small boat passes near USS Midway aircraft carrier on San Diego Bay.
Small boat passes near USS Midway aircraft carrier on San Diego Bay.
USS Ronald Reagan seen docked at Naval Air Station North Island across San Diego Bay.
USS Ronald Reagan seen docked at Naval Air Station North Island across San Diego Bay.

ANOTHER! Why not add another pic? This one was taken in early 2016…

Birds large and small in a photo taken from the edge of San Diego Bay.
Birds large and small in a photo taken from the edge of San Diego Bay.

One more UPDATE!

I stood on the pictured elevator in 2025. The area is now filled with tables. I noticed the following sign…

One of Midway’s three giant aircraft elevators that are capable of moving aircraft between the Flight Deck and Hangar Deck in 15-20 seconds. The hydraulically operated elevators have a lifting capacity of 130,000 lbs…and are large enough to accommodate two F/A-18 aircraft at a time.

The yellow ribbons along the edge of the elevator in the final photo memorialize the approximately 60,000 military personnel killed in action during the Vietnam War. The ribbons during my visit were tied all around the aircraft carrier…

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Iconic “Unconditional Surrender” kiss statue!

Unconditional Surrender statue on San Diego's Embarcadero near the USS Midway Museum.
Unconditional Surrender statue on San Diego’s Embarcadero near the USS Midway Museum.

This large statue is amazingly popular with tourists visiting San Diego’s Embarcadero. Tour buses park in the nearby parking lot and throngs of people stand beneath the kissing sailor and nurse, snapping photos. Many couples joyfully imitate the dramatic pose. Critics say the statue is too kitsch, but I disagree! It perfectly represents a moment in time: the end of the Second World War.

Referred to by many as The Kiss, this huge sculpture was created by the artist Seward Johnson. Its proper name is Unconditional Surrender. It’s based on a photograph taken during V-J day in New York’s Times Square. An American sailor, overjoyed at the news of the war’s end, grabbed a random nurse nearby and gave her a spontaneous kiss. The photograph became world famous.

A temporary Unconditional Surrender statue was originally placed at this site, but it was replaced with a permanent bronze version in 2012. Unlike most other monuments and memorials located on the Greatest Generation Walk, just south of the USS Midway, this statue is so enormous it can be glimpsed from several points on San Diego Bay.

Sailor overjoyed that war is over plants a big kiss!
Sailor overjoyed that war is over plants a big kiss!

Sailor applies The Kiss to a nurse at the end of World War II.
Sailor applies The Kiss to a nurse at the end of World War II.

Sitting on nearby bench on a cloudy day.
Sitting on nearby bench on a cloudy day.

People gather about Seward Johnson's Unconditional Surrender.
People gather about Seward Johnson’s Unconditional Surrender.