On August 14, 1945 in New York’s Times Square, a young nurse named Edith Shain was randomly kissed by a nearby sailor when the news was announced that World War II had ended with the surrender of the Japanese.  The kiss, captured in a photograph by Lieutenant Victor Jorgenson, has now been memorialized in “Unconditional Surrender,” a 3-dimensional, 25-foot tall sculpture created by J. Seward Johnson. 

“Unconditional Surrender” represents a moment in American history of joy, relief, and hope for a great future.  The sculpture is on loan to the Port of San Diego through the remainder of 2007.

Time and again military families have experienced the moment that “Homecoming” so powerfully depicts — the reunion of a sailor with his wife and child on San Diego’s waterfront.  This stunning, seven-foot bronze sculpture was dedicated on August 13, 1998 in honor of all sea service men, women and their families.

Prior to his death, San Diego artist Donal Hord captured the essence of waking to a new day in his black granite sculpture of a young man awakening and stretching in the morning light. 

Located at the entrance to Embarcadero Marina Park North, the sculpture’s intricate details reveal Hord’s love for the southwest and Mexico.  The young man’s loose-fitting pants, commonly worn in Mexico, are tied with rope at his ankles to keep snakes and insects from crawling up his legs at night. He sits on a hill carved with many symbols, including a stalk of corn that is symbolic of the stalk of life in Mexico. 

Not only is “Morning” a beautiful representation of a human being wakening to a new day, it symbolizes the life and accomplishments of the artist himself.  Even though Hord struggled with heart disease throughout his life, he continued to create such poignant works as “Morning.” 

The victorious story of the light antiaircraft cruiser USS San Diego, which served throughout World War II, is memorialized in this massive public artwork.  Four carnelian granite and composite terra cotta walls stand in a V-shape that resembles the ship’s bow.  The names of the men who served on the USS San Diego are engraved in two polished granite walls, along with the story of the ship’s accomplishments.  A bronze sculpture of a sailor leaning against one of the walls is a reminder of how each of the men on the ship dedicated themselves to serving their country. 

On June 1, 1942, the ship departed San Diego and would not return until 41 months later.  During that time, not one sailor’s life was lost as the USS San Diego traveled over 300,000 miles between Guadalcanal and Tokyo Bay and fought in 34 engagements with the enemy.  It was the first American ship to enter Tokyo Bay at the close of the war, and is the second most decorated ship in naval history earning 18 battle stars.  Learn more about one of San Diego’s proudest military stories by taking a stroll to the USS San Diego Memorial.   

The Battle for Leyte was fought during World War II in the Pacific Theater and is considered one of the largest naval battles in modern history.  American Vice Admiral Clifton A.F. Sprague commanded the 13 ships and 7,300 men who made up Task Unit 77.4.3, or Taffy 3.  The battle lasted from October 23 to October 26 of 1944, during which Taffy 3 was attacked by Japanese battleships. 

Artist Moon Kim’s bronze bust of Admiral Sprague commemorates his swift action and intelligent direction of his ships and planes.  Four of the 13 Taffy 3 ships were destroyed and over 800 men were lost, however, the United States emerged victorious.

Each of the Taffy 3 ships are memorialized in the 13 polished black granite panels that stand in honor of the sailors’ bravery and service. 

A black granite obelisk bears the names of the U.S. Navy’s 164 aircraft carriers to commemorate those who have served on them.  Artists T.J. Dixon and James Nelson sculpted two life-size bronze figures of a sailor and a naval aviator so that viewers of the memorial have the chance to personally connect to the lives of those who served.