The American Merchant Marine Veterans Memorial in John S. Gibson Park,

San Pedro, California San Pedro ( ; Spanish: " St. Peter") is a neighborhood within the City of Los Angeles, California. Formerly a separate city, it consolidated with Los Angeles in 1909. The Port of Los Angeles, a major international seaport, is partially located wi ...

, was commissioned to honor American merchant marine veterans from all wars. It contains the bronze sculpture ''Jacob's Ladder'' by

Jasper D'Ambrosi Jasper D'Ambrosi, son of Italian immigrants, was born and raised in Wilmington, California. He attended University of Southern California on a football scholarship where he studied painting and graduated cum laude. Out of college, D'Ambrosi worke ...

as its centerpiece, and includes a black polished granite memorial wall engraved with the names of merchant seaman lost at sea during time of war. D'Ambrosi designed the memorial in 1986 and it was cast at Arizona Bronze in

Tempe, Arizona , settlement_type = City , named_for = Vale of Tempe , image_skyline = Tempeskyline3.jpg , imagesize = 260px , image_caption = Tempe skyline as se ...

in 1987. The public art work was dedicated in 1989. A bronze plaque at the memorial states: "The United States Merchant Marine has faithfully served our country in times of war and peace hauling cargo to every corner of the world. This Memorial is dedicated to those brave men and women of all races, creeds and colors who answered that call to serve." The sculpture depicts a merchant seaman helping another during a rescue at sea as they climb "a Jacob's Ladder symbolizing the dedication and sacrifices of American merchant marines. It was designed by

Wilmington, California Wilmington is a neighborhood in the Harbor region of Los Angeles, California, covering . Featuring a heavy concentration of industry and the third-largest oil field in the continental United States, this neighborhood has a high percentage of Lat ...

, and cast by his family foundry (Arizona Bronze). Soon after his original design was accepted and before he began the final model, D'Ambrosi died. In tribute to their father, his two sons, Marc D'Ambrosi and Michael D'Ambrosi, finished the sculpture's model, casting, and installation in 1987.

References

External links

* San Pedro Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
American Merchant Marine Veterans Memorial
Retrieved September 11, 2006. {{coord, 33.73877, -118.27995, type:landmark_globe:earth_region:US-CA, display=title Military monuments and memorials in the United States United States Merchant Marine 1987 sculptures San Pedro, Los Angeles Public art in California