The Bob Hope Memorial in San Diego

If you are visiting San Diego, then the Bob Hope Memorial is fun to see.  It’s right next to the USS Midway floating aircraft carrier museum.

Artists Eugene Daub and Steven Whyte created the installation located at Harbor Drive and the G Street Mole.

Bob Hope Memorial

Bob Hope in Bronze at the San Diego Memorial in His Honor

Who Was Bob?

Bob Hope, the actor, entertainer and comedian, is known worldwide for his enduring career as a film and TV star. For generations of U.S. servicemen, his greatest legacy is as a tireless entertainer of troops overseas.

For over fifty years starting in 1943, he dedicated himself to entertaining soldiers, sailors and airmen of the armed forces.  He flew out many times to the many battle fronts and remote outposts where US military served throughout the world. Bob’s overseas USO tours, often during the Christmas season, were deeply appreciated and fondly remembered by thousands of servicemen on protracted tours of duty.  And often these tours were under combat conditions, far from their homes and families.

Bob Hope Memorial

This is my personal favorite memorial here in San Diego that honors those who have served their country. So I always make it a point to go and say “hi” to Bob whenever I am in the neighborhood. If you’d like to know more about the artists’ concept, go to

National Salute to Bob Hope and the Military by Eugene Daub & Steven Whyte

Troops at Bob Hope Memorial

Several troops avidly watch the Bob Hope Show

 

 

 

 

 

 

Design notes: Located in a grove of coral trees atop a landscaped mound with broad curving steps, the National Salute to Bob Hope and the Military features a grouping of sixteen larger than life-size bronze figures in a 48-foot diameter circular plaza. The figures represent a typical road show with Bob entertaining troops near the front. The focal point is a bronze of Bob Hope himself by renowned sculptor Eugene Daub. Fifteen additional sculptures form an eternal audience representing men and women of the five branches of the U.S. military services. Attractive landscaping and lighting showcase the National Salute for visitors day and night, by land and water.

Bob Hope Memorial Unconditional Surrender

The troops are Bob Hope’s favorite audience, and beyond them is “Unconditional Surrender” and the USS Midway Museum

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Sculptures: The bronze figures are sculpted in military uniforms authentic to the various eras of Bob’s career from World War II through the Korean War, Vietnam War, Cold War, and the first Persian Gulf War. The fifteen military bronze figures were designed and fabricated by the Daub Firman Hendrickson Group and the Steven Whyte Studio.

Visiting San Diego? Check Out Coronado Island


Patty Mooney is a VP, Video Producer, Sound Technician, Teleprompter Operator and Video Editor at award-winning San Diego Video Production Company, Crystal Pyramid Productions. For more adventures, enjoy our blog, Diary of a Video Production Crew