Westchester in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Capt. Lou Lenart, USMC (Ret.)
FG-1D Corsair
This monument is dedicated to Capt. Lou Lenart and to all U.S. Marine Corps and Navy pilots who flew the F4-U or FG-1D Corsair in combat during World War II.
“Most of my experience with the Corsair was in close support of our ground troops on the battlefield and in protecting our fleet from the constant threat of ‘Kamikaze’ (suicide plane) attacks. In addition, we flew attack missions on mainland Japan, destroying military installations and equipment. For those of us lucky enough to fly this beautiful and sturdy bird. It was a most exhilarating experience for which I am forever grateful.”
Capt. Lou Lenart USMC (Ret.) VMF-323, Israel Air Force Squadron 101
Captain Lenart later served as a volunteer during the State of Israel’s 1948 War of Independence, and led the first mission of the Israel Air Force (then only four ME-109 fighters) in a surprise bombing and strafing attack on the advancing Egyptian Army which halted their attack just 16 miles from Tel Aviv.
This monument is erected through the generosity of the Jona Goldrich Family in honor of his brother, Avram Goldreich, and was dedicated on June 19, 2003.
Erected 2007 by The Jona Goldrich Family and the Proud Bird Restaurant.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Heroes • War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1937.
Location. 33° 56.113′ N, 118° 22.691′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Westchester. Memorial is at the intersection of Aviation Blvd. and 111th Street, on the right when traveling north on Aviation Blvd.. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11022 Aviation Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90045, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Tuskegee Airmen (a few steps from this marker); Eagle Squadrons (within shouting distance of this marker); The American Volunteer Group (within shouting distance of this marker); 49th Fighter Group (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hangar #1 (approx. 0.4 miles away); SV-5D Lifting Body (approx. 1.1 miles away); Los Angeles International Airport (approx. 1˝ miles away); The Trans-Polar Air Route (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.
Regarding Capt. Lou Lenart, USMC (Ret.). The marker is on the grounds of The Proud Bird Restaurant, with a dozen vintage aircraft on display at the restaurant. Three original aircraft, not fiberglass replicas, are a DC-3, a Twin Beechcraft C-45, and an A-4 Blue Angels jet.
Also see . . .
1. How I saved Tel Aviv, and made a movie about it - Israel News, Ynetnews. www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAVB6NPDRjs - (Submitted on September 9, 2013, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
2. The Proud Bird Restaurant and Museum. (Submitted on February 7, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2013, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 925 times since then and 17 times this year. Last updated on June 1, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 8, 2013, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.