A majestic wing soars towards the sky. This is the Montgomery Memorial a tribute to aviation pioneer John J Montgomery. It stands tall a 93-foot stainless steel wing panel from a Consolidated B-32 Dominator. Locals often call it Silver Wing due to its gleaming surface.
The monument’s creation began in 1945 when San Diego County acquired land for its construction. The San Diego Junior Chamber of Commerce played a key role in securing the land. Congressman Bob Wilson who later served as research chairman for the project spearheaded the effort. Even Montgomery’s widow Regina Cleary visited the site in 1946 to review the plans.
Renowned modernist architect Lloyd Ruocco designed this iconic landmark. The memorial’s base features a terrazzo walk engraved with the names of aviators who followed Montgomery’s groundbreaking work. A nearby tablet bears an inscription commemorating his achievements.
On May 21 1950 the Montgomery Memorial was officially dedicated. Montgomery’s brother and sister attended the ceremony. The dedication ceremony was presided over by William Brotherton and Jerome Rudrauff accepted the memorial on behalf of the San Diego Junior Chamber of Commerce. James A Robbins Chairman of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors formally accepted it on behalf of the county.
The surrounding area which initially formed Montgomery Park later transformed into the Montgomery-Waller Recreation Center. This happened in 1964 after an additional land donation by the Waller family. In the 1970s a nearby recreation center was named the Silver Wing Recreation Center reflecting the monument’s popular nickname. The Montgomery Memorial is more than just a monument. It’s a symbol of San Diego’s rich aviation history. It’s a testament to human ingenuity and courage a soaring tribute to the man who dared to dream of flight.