Plaque Commemorates Birthplace of Naval Aviation

Monday, 30 January 2012
Contact: Dale Frost (619) 686-6461

A bronze plaque along the San Diego Bay waterfront in Coronado's Centennial Park now officially marks North Island as the birthplace of naval aviation and commemorates its 100th anniversary, which occurred in 2011.

The marker was unveiled on January 28, 2012, by members of the California State Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, sponsors of the commemorative plaque.

Coronado is one of the Port of San Diego's five member cities.

The ceremony opened with the parade of colors by an honor guard outfitted in Revolutionary War Continental army uniforms.

Among the 100 guests attending the patriotic ceremony were Board of Port Commissioners Chairman Lou Smith; Port President/CEO Wayne Darbeau; Coronado Mayor Casey Tanaka; Coronado City Council member Michael Woiwode; and President/CEO of the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum Mac McLaughlin.

Chairman Smith thanked the donors for recognizing the history and importance of U.S. naval aviation. He said the plaque was placed at a perfect spot from which to view the San Diego Bay waterfront, including the USS Midway, aircraft carriers, the Coronado Bridge, U.S. Navy ships, hotels, marinas and the Ferry Landing.

The plaque lists aviation milestones involving North Island, including the first seaplane flight in the United States in 1911 and names the first naval aviator, Navy Lieutenant Theodore G. "Spuds" Ellyson, who attended the Glenn Curtis flying school on North Island in 1910.

Centennial Park is located near the Coronado Ferry Landing, at the foot of Orange Avenue.

The Daughters of the American Revolution, founded in 1890 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a non-profit volunteer women's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history and securing America's future through better education for children.

The Port of San Diego was created by the state legislature in 1962. Since then, it has invested $1.7 billion in public improvements in its five member cities – Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and San Diego.

The Port District oversees two maritime cargo terminals, two cruise ship terminals, 17 public parks, the Harbor Police Department and the leases of more than 600 tenant and sub tenant businesses around San Diego Bay.