About The Lone Sailor Statue
The bronze Lone Sailor statue was created by Stanley Bleifeld, the official sculptor of the U.S. Navy Memorial. It features two components: the 7-foot-tall, 1,000-pound Sailor, and his accompanying sea bag and cleat, which together weigh an additional 700 pounds.
As part of the original statue’s casting process, the bronze was infused with artifacts from eight U.S. Navy ships, curated by the Naval Historical Center at the Washington Navy Yard. These pieces-ranging from copper sheeting and spikes to hammock hooks and other fragments-represent vessels spanning the Navy’s history: the post-Revolutionary frigates Constitution (“Old Ironsides”) and Constellation; the steamer Hartford, Admiral David G. Farragut’s Civil War flagship; the battleship USS Maine; the iron-hulled steamer-sailing ship USS Ranger; the World War II cruiser USS Biloxi; the aircraft carrier USS Hancock; and the nuclear-powered submarine USS Seawolf.
One final addition to the bronze mix was a National Defense Service Medal-an honor bestowed upon sailors in both war and peace. All of these elements now live within the Lone Sailor, connecting the sculpture to generations of naval service.
For more information:
CAPT Vic Cooper, USN (Ret) & Lone Sailor Committee Chairman captvic.cooper@gmail.com
Amy Collier – City of Millington acollier@millingtontn.gov