When you first enter the National Naval Aviation Museum, you approach a larger than life tribute to Naval Aviators. Captain Robert L. Rasmussen, USN (Ret.) and Director of the Museum conceived the design to salute five significant stages in its history, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm. Each airman is sculpted in flight equipment of their period. 

Suspended above the aviators is the A-1 Triad, the Navy’s first aircraft and one of the earliest hydroaeroplanes.