The Spirit of Naval Aviation - Pensacola, Florida, USA. - Figurative Public Sculpture on Waymarking.com

The Spirit of Naval Aviation - Features five double life-size, bronze sculptures by renowned Oklahoma sculptor Sandra Van Zandt.

The five sculptures stand proudly grouped on display as a tabloid showing the spiritual bond formed by the universal language of all aviators, as a World War II Pilot relives his flight with Naval Aviators from his past & future.

The Spirit of Naval Aviation Monument is located at The National Museum of Naval Aviation, Pensacola, Florida,

From the Sculptors Website:

"The idea was conceived by Robert R. Macon, Deputy Director of the National Museum of Naval Aviation in early 1993. Capt. Robert L. Rasmussen, USN (Ret) Director of the National Museum of Naval Aviation designed the monument. Renowned Oklahoma sculptor Sandra Van Zandt worked closely with museum and foundation officials to bring Rasmussen's design to life at the Smithsonian's National Air & Space Museum December 6 1994 unveiling in Washington, D.C.

The monument, traditional enough to capture the noble history of Naval Aviation, powerful enough to set a new precedent in detail and craftsmanship and enduring enough to keep the spirit of naval aviation alive for generations to come, salutes naval aviators and naval aviation with five heroic-sized bronze figures that represent five significant stages in history:

World War I * World War II * Korea * Vietnam * Desert Storm * The Modern Era

These five works of art, funded entirely by private donations, are so rich in artistic quality and emotional power that they could have been wrought through this rare combination of creative excellence, historic accuracy and firsthand experience. The monument will be dedicated at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida, May 1996 and will serve as the centerpiece of the museum's new building. The National Museum of Naval Aviation is dedicated to preserving the history, honor, tradition and service for Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Aviation.


Secretary of Defense Sponsors World War II Monument
Donald Rumsfeld, the youngest Secretary of Defense under the Ford Administration and under the Bush Administration, sponsored the World War II Portion of the "Spirit on Naval Aviation Monument" in the name of his father, who was stationed on an aircraft carrier during WWII."
Text Sources: (visit link) & (visit link)

Entry to the Museum is free.

Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: The Spirit of Naval Aviation Figure Type: Human Artist Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: Sandra Van Zandt Date created or placed or use 'Unknown' if not known: 1994 Materials used: Bronze Location: Naval Aviation Memorial Theatre - NMNA - Pensacola.

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