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.

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.

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.

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.