American Merchant Marine Veterans Memorial, Veterans memorial monument in San Pedro, California, US.
The American Merchant Marine Veterans Memorial in San Pedro honors those who served in the merchant marine. A bronze sculpture called Jacob's Ladder depicts two seamen during a rescue operation, surrounded by five black granite walls engraved with the names of those who died at sea.
Established in 1989, this memorial honors more than 6,795 merchant mariners who died during World War II. The bronze sculpture was created by two brothers who completed the work following their father's passing while they were creating it.
Five black granite walls display the names of merchant mariners who died at sea, representing people from different nations and backgrounds. Visitors can pause here to honor the diversity of those who served in the merchant marine.
The memorial sits in John S. Gibson Park on Harbor Boulevard, easily reached while exploring other historical sites in San Pedro. The area remains open throughout the day, allowing visitors to stop and read the names at their own pace.
The bronze sculpture Jacob's Ladder was created by brothers Marc and Michael D'Ambrosi, who continued the project after their father Jasper died suddenly in 1986 while they were working on it. This personal story of loss and perseverance is reflected in every detail of the finished work.
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