Marina in San Diego in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

San Diego: Birthplace of Naval Aviation

The War Years 1941 - 1945

Photographed by Denise Boose, June 21, 2015

1. San Diego: Birthplace of Naval Aviation Marker

Inscription. When war was declared in 1941, the city's civilian population exploded by more than 50,000 as workers streamed into the city. Transportation and housing facilities were soon overwhelmed. Trailers crowded once-empty land on the outskirts of the city. Homes for 3,000 families were built by the government on nearby mesas.

Aircraft carriers loaded squadrons of aircraft and men aboard at North Island before racing off to flight battles in the Pacific. In their absence, replacement aircraft continuously arrived and new pilots were trained day and night, 7 days a week to replace those lost in battle.

Sailors packed busses and trolleys while dance halls featuring such talents as Artie Shaw, Glenn Miller, and Benny Goodman were open until dawn. Tattoo parlors, penny arcades, and landmarks such as Eddie's Bar and the Bomber Café did an around-the-clock business.

Erected by USS Midway Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1941.

Location. 32° 42.819′ N, 117° 10.608′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. It is in

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Marina. It is on N Harbor Dr, on the left when traveling west. Located on the flight deck of the USS Midway Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 910 N Harbor Dr, San Diego CA 92101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Peninsular Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named San Diego: Birthplace of Naval Aviation (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named San Diego: Birthplace of Naval Aviation (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named San Diego: Birthplace of Naval Aviation (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named San Diego: Birthplace of Naval Aviation (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named San Diego: Birthplace of Naval Aviation

Photographed by Denise Boose, June 21, 2015

2. San Diego: Birthplace of Naval Aviation Marker

(a few steps from this marker); San Diego's Guardians of the Southwest (a few steps from this marker); Bridle-Arrest "Horns" (within shouting distance of this marker); A National Salute to Bob Hope and the Military (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Diego.

Photographed by Denise Boose, June 21, 2015

3. San Diego: Birthplace of Naval Aviation Marker

Naval aircraft filled the skies over San Diego. TBFs, SBDs, F4F, and F6Fs were stationed at six naval air stations surrounding the city. Catalina and Coronado flying boats took off and landed in the bay while blimps stationed a few miles north of San Diego Bay patrolled the coastline looking for enemy submarines said to be lurking there. By the end of the war, San Diego's population had doubled standing at 600,000 and the city was a major economic center on the west coast.

Photographed by Denise Boose, June 21, 2015

4. San Diego: Birthplace of Naval Aviation Marker

Aircraft workers labored at the Consolidated Aircraft assembly plant to build fighters and bombers to support the war effort.

Photographed by Denise Boose, June 21, 2015

5. San Diego: Birthplace of Naval Aviation Marker

Navy recruits practiced military formations and learned how to climb Jacob's Ladders during their training at the Naval Training Center.

Photographed by Denise Boose, June 21, 2015

6. San Diego: Birthplace of Naval Aviation Marker

Carriers of Admiral "Bull" Halsey's Third Fleet led the battle group cruising off Japan in August 1945.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2017, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 418 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 6, 2017, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.