Susan Keith started writing down the names of early naval aviators she knew about who had lived in some of Coronado’s most historic homes.  Her home had two:  Admiral Stanhope Ring and Admiral Putnam Storrs.  Within a short time, she had the start of a good list.  She searched the Internet and a resource book called, “Contact Book, Volume 1,” and pulled together the first 200 aviators. 

           As an aviator received his license, he was given a number.  For example, Lt. Ellyson, the first to be trained in Glenn Curtiss’ aviator school on North Island, was Aviator #1.  Henry Mustin, grandfather of Coronado residents Tom Mustin and Doug St. Denis, was Aviator #11.   After she had written down as many as she could on her own, Susan engaged the help of Rob Crenshaw, who became interested in gathering names throughout the community.  Rob brought it up at the Sea and Airmen’s Golf Club and sent  out 180 emails.  The list grew as each recipient of Rob’s email sent it out to their list of former aviators.  Tom Mustin was brought into the project, and as an alum of the Naval Academy, was able to send out almost 700 more emails.  Pretty soon, the joke around the CHA offices became, “Let’s put signs on the homes where an aviator did NOT live; fewer signs will be needed!” 

          Because so many names were coming forth, ground rules had to be set. It was decided that if an aviator lived in two different homes in Coronado, the sign would be placed on the home he lived in while in service.  If two aviators lived in the same home over the years, the sign will recognize both aviators.  Each sign will have a number corresponding to a pamphlet with a map and a brief bio of each aviator.