A naval tragedy
The sinking of the USS Arizona was a catastrophic event that occurred during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941.
The USS Arizona was a battleship belonging to the United States Navy and was stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
On the morning of 7th December, Japanese aircrafts carried out a surprise attack on the naval base, and the USS Arizona was among the ships targeted.
At around 8:06 AM, a bomb penetrated the ship's deck and detonated in its forward ammunition magazine, causing a massive explosion. The ship was engulfed in flames, and the crew was unable to control the fire.
The Japanese attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, 7th December 1941.
world war two image | pictionid68340713 - catalog100023625 -… | Flickr
...a handful of crew members managed to escape the inferno...
The loss of life on the USS Arizona was catastrophic, with over 1,100 sailors and Marines losing their lives.
The ship was completely destroyed, and only a handful of crew members managed to escape the inferno.
The impact of the bombing was felt not only in the United States but also around the world, as the attack on Pearl Harbor was the event that led to the United States' entry into the Second World War.
The aftermath of the attack: A view of the aft portion of the USS Arizona shows turrets three and four intact and above sea level. Interestingly, these were destined to be moved to fortifications on O’ahu.
Courtesy of the National Archives
https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/uss-arizonas-last-salvo
A formidable proposition
The USS Arizona (BB-39) was a Pennsylvania-class battleship that played a significant role in the early 20th century U.S. Navy.
Launched in 1915 and commissioned in 1916, it was designed to be a formidable part of the Navy's battleship fleet, reflecting the naval arms race and the strategic doctrines of the time.
View of Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin D. Roosevelt and Commandant Rear Admiral Albert Gleaves, USN, at the keel-laying of USS Arizona (BB-39) in 1914.
Naval History and Heritage Command
...intended to protect against shellfire and torpedoes...
View of Waterfront Looking North from Top of Building Number 6, U.S.S. Arizona at Brooklyn Navy Yard in 1911
U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
The Arizona was built at the New York Navy Yard with a length of 608 feet and a beam of 97 feet.
It displaced approximately 32,000 tons and could reach a top speed of 21 knots, thanks to its four propellers powered by steam turbines and 12 Babcock & Wilcox boilers.
The ship was heavily armored, with belt armor ranging from 8 to 13.5 inches thick and deck armor up to 3 inches thick.
This extensive armoring was intended to protect against shellfire and torpedoes, a testament to the ship's intended role in direct naval engagements.
USS Arizona, Arrival of Sponsor, Brooklyn Navy Yard, New York, in 1915
U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
...showcasing its versatile armament meant to counter multiple threats....
The Arizona was armed with twelve 14-inch/45 caliber guns mounted in four triple turrets, two forward and two aft.
These guns could fire armor-piercing shells weighing 1,400 pounds up to 20 miles, making the Arizona a powerful surface combatant.
Secondary armament included twenty-two 5-inch/51 caliber guns for defense against smaller ships and aircraft.
The battleship also featured anti-aircraft guns and two underwater torpedo tubes, showcasing its versatile armament meant to counter multiple threats.
The propeller shaft and aft cradle of the USS Arizona the day before its launch in 1915.
US Bureau of Ships. Department of the Navy
Photo of the USS Arizona taken from Manhattan Bridge on the East River in New York City on its way back from sea trials. Note Christmas trees on both lookouts atop cage masts. 25th December 1916.
...a potent force-in-being that could engage in decisive battles if necessary...
The USS Arizona, like its sister ship the USS Pennsylvania, was built as part of the U.S. Navy's plan to establish a dominant battleship force capable of projecting power globally.
Its design represented the shift from earlier battleships focused on coastal defense to those capable of blue-water operations, emphasizing firepower, speed, and endurance.
The ship's large-caliber guns and extensive armor made it ideal for the "fleet-in-being" strategy, which aimed to deter adversaries by maintaining a potent force-in-being that could engage in decisive battles if necessary.
After its commissioning, the Arizona joined the Atlantic Fleet. During the First World War, it remained stateside, as its oil-fired engines restricted its operational range in European waters dominated by coal-fired logistics.
The battleship's primary role during the war was to provide coastal defense and to train naval gunners.
The USS Arizona passing 96th St. Pier in great naval review at New York City. Ca. 1918.
Paul Thompson. (War Dept.) Exact Date Shot Unknown NARA FILE #: 165-WW-334A-4A WAR & CONFLICT BOOK #: 477
...improved fire control systems, anti-aircraft weaponry, and enhanced deck armor...
In the post-war period, the Arizona became an emblem of American naval power and took part in numerous training exercises and goodwill missions.
In 1921, it joined the Pacific Fleet, reflecting the Navy's strategic pivot towards the Pacific amid rising tensions with Japan.
The ship underwent a major modernization in the late 1920s at the Norfolk Navy Yard, where it received improved fire control systems, anti-aircraft weaponry, and enhanced deck armor.
Crew members of the ship sweep the deck circa 1927-1928 from the Life and Legacy of the USS Arizona exhibit at the University of Arizona Special Collections in Tucson. Courtesy of UA Special Collections.
Courtesy of UA Special Collections
...a flagship and symbol of U.S. naval power...
Rear Admiral Isaac Campbell Kidd commanded the Arizona in the 1930's. He was later killed during the Japanese attack - the highest ranking casualty at Pearl Harbor and the first U.S. Navy flag officer killed in action in the Second World War.
Throughout the 1930s, the Arizona was actively involved in fleet exercises and training maneuvers, preparing for potential conflicts in the Pacific.
It was during this time that the ship's role shifted from being a frontline battleship to a flagship and symbol of U.S. naval power in the Pacific.
Its commanders during this period, including Captain (later Rear Admiral) Isaac C. Kidd, who would later perish on the ship during the attack on Pearl Harbor, were tasked with maintaining the ship's readiness and integrating new technologies and tactics.
Arizona after her modernization during the 1930s.
The Bomb that Sank USS Arizona : Pearl Harbor was a tragic day (rebellionresearch.com)
...embodying the U.S. Navy's readiness to respond to Japanese aggression...
By the early 1940s, the Arizona, though still formidable, was considered outdated compared to newer battleships and aircraft carriers.
It was stationed at Pearl Harbor as part of Battleship Division One, under the command of Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd, with Captain Franklin Van Valkenburgh as its commanding officer.
The ship continued to serve as a deterrent in the Pacific, embodying the U.S. Navy's readiness to respond to Japanese aggression.
In the months leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Arizona participated in routine training exercises and patrols and could often be found moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor on ‘Battleship Row’.
Captain Franklin Van Valkenburgh, Captain of the Arizona, was killed during the Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor on the 7th December 1941. He was posthumously, awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the raid.
Aerial photograph from 2500 feet altitude, looking southward, showing the U.S. Fleet moored in the harbor on 3 May 1940. This was soon after the conclusion of Fleet Problem XXI and four days before word was received that the Fleet was to be retained in Hawaiian waters. There are eight battleships and the carrier Yorktown (CV-5) tied up by Ford Island, in the center of the harbor. Two more battleships and many cruisers, destroyers and other Navy ships also present, most of them moored in groups in East Loch, in the foreground. A few of the destroyers are wearing experimental dark camouflage paint. In the distance, center, is Hickam Army Air Field. The Pearl Harbor entrance channel is in the right distance.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command
The Day Before
On the 6th December 1941, the USS Arizona was stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
The ship had recently completed a refueling operation, taking on approximately 1.5 million gallons of fuel.
This was a standard procedure for battleships, ensuring they were prepared for potential deployments or missions.
The crew, consisting of officers, sailors, and support personnel, carried out their daily duties, which included maintenance, training drills, and routine operational tasks.
US Pacific Fleet maneuvers, circa 1940. The lead ship is probably USS Mississippi (BB-41) followed by USS Maryland (BB-46) & co. The squadrons overhead are probably from USS Yorktown or Enterprise.
https://www.reddit.com/r/WarshipPorn/comments/2ltrom/us_pacific_fleet_maneuvers_circa_1940_the_lead/
Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii, Aerial view, looking west, with the supply depot in upper center, 13 October 1941. Part of the Submarine Base is at lower left; the Navy Yard is in the upper left; and Ford Island is in the top right.
https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/OnlineLibrary/photos/events/wwii-pac/prelim/phbr-2.htm
...continued their routine work...
The mood aboard the Arizona was relatively relaxed, as it was a Saturday, and many sailors were looking forward to shore leave and other recreational activities.
Liberty parties were organized for those permitted to go ashore, providing them an opportunity to enjoy the amenities and entertainment available in Honolulu and nearby areas.
Those who remained on the ship continued their routine work, including preparing meals, performing watch duties, and engaging in evening social activities.
The displacement of the USS Arizona in late 1941, prior to the Japanese attack.
https://mungfali.com/post/1D3C7393C6BB3B1AE19054EE26712246ED230369
...ship buzzed with the typical sounds of maintenance work...
Captain Franklin Van Valkenburgh, along with the senior officers, maintained a focus on ensuring the ship’s readiness amid growing global tensions.
The Arizona’s crew also included the ship’s band, known as the US Navy Band Unit (NBU) 22, who performed regularly at ceremonial events and were a vital part of the ship’s cultural life.
Throughout the day, the ship buzzed with the typical sounds of maintenance work, the clang of metal, and the hum of daily operations.
Crew members attended to their assigned roles, whether in the engine rooms, on deck, or in administrative capacities.
The Arizona’s presence at Pearl Harbor was part of a broader strategic positioning of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, aimed at deterring potential threats in the region.
Inside a locker on the USS Arizona. Life for a typical seaman aboard the USS Arizona in 1940 involved long days of maintenance, training drills, and routine tasks. Sailors balanced these duties with recreational activities, shore leave, and camaraderie, while preparing for potential conflict in the Pacific.
Provided/Courtesy of the University of Arizona Libraries, Special Collections.
https://eu.cincinnati.com/picture-gallery/news/2016/11/23/remembering-the-uss-arizona/94337830/
The USS Arizona mess area and tables. The day before the Japanese Attack would have seen the crew of the Arizona going about their daily duties.
Provided/Courtesy of the University of Arizona Libraries, Special Collections.
https://eu.cincinnati.com/picture-gallery/news/2016/11/23/remembering-the-uss-arizona/94337830/
7th December 1941
On the morning of December 7, 1941, the USS Arizona found itself at the epicenter of one of the most significant military events in American history: the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.
As part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, the Arizona was stationed in Pearl Harbor along with other battleships on Battleship Row.
It was a peaceful Sunday morning when, at around 07:55 local time, the air raid alarm sounded as Japanese aircraft launched an assault that would plunge the United States into World War II.
Pearl Harbor on 30th October 1941, looking southwest.
The Bomb that Sank USS Arizona : Pearl Harbor was a tragic day (rebellionresearch.com)
...aiming to destroy as many American warships as possible...
The initial attack on Pearl Harbor was devastating. Japanese aircraft from six aircraft carriers, including the Kaga and Hiryu, swarmed over the Pacific Fleet, targeting both ships and shore installations.
These planes had meticulously planned their approach, aiming to destroy as many American warships as possible.
The attack unfolded with ruthless precision, and the Arizona was among the first targets. At around 08:00, the ship’s crew scrambled to general quarters, but the ship's defenses had little time to respond to the onslaught.
Japanese Nakajima B5N "Kate" torpedo bomber of the Imperial Japanese Navy flying over Pearl Harbor. Bombers launched from the Japanese carriers, Kaga and Hiry, inflicted severe damage on the USS Arizona.
...bombers from the carrier Kaga focused their attack on the Arizona’s midships...
Ten Nakajima B5N2 "Kate" torpedo bombers approached the Arizona, five from each carrier. These bombers were armed not with torpedoes, but with 797-kilogram (1,757-pound) armor-piercing bombs.
These bombs had been converted from naval shells, designed specifically to penetrate the heavily armored decks of battleships like the Arizona.
The first wave of bombers from the carrier Kaga focused their attack on the Arizona’s midships and stern.
The planes flew at an estimated altitude of 3,000 meters (9,800 feet), giving them a clear path to target the battleship below.
The second wave, from the carrier Hiryu, targeted the bow area. In total, four bombs struck the ship, and three near-misses added to the chaos.
The Hiryu, one of Japan's six aircraft carriers involved in the Pearl Harbor attack, played a key role by launching two waves of aircraft. These planes targeted American battleships, including the USS Arizona, and other military installations. Hiryu's contribution was pivotal in Japan's initial success during the attack.
...quickly overshadowed by the more catastrophic hits that followed...
One of the bombs, aimed at the stern, ricocheted off the face of Turret IV, penetrating the deck before detonating in the captain’s pantry.
This explosion caused a small fire, which was quickly overshadowed by the more catastrophic hits that followed.
Another bomb landed near the ship’s mainmast and detonated close to the anti-torpedo bulkhead, causing significant damage but not enough to incapacitate the ship.
The third bomb exploded near the rear of the port-side 5-inch anti-aircraft gun, while the fourth and most deadly bomb hit near Turret II at around 08:06.
This bomb penetrated deep into the armored deck, possibly near the forward magazines, which stored massive quantities of explosives and ammunition.
...causing the entire forward structure to collapse...
Just seven seconds after the final bomb struck the Arizona, a catastrophic explosion occurred. The forward magazines detonated in a cataclysmic blast, destroying the forward section of the ship.
The explosion vented primarily through the sides of the ship, causing the entire forward structure to collapse. The foremast and funnel collapsed forward, while the forward turrets and conning tower were crushed down into the hull.
Japanese Navy Petty Officer Noburu Kanai, bombardier for pilot Tadashi Kusumi, was generally regarded as the man who scored the fatal hit that detonated Arizona's magazine.
The force of the explosion was so powerful that it tore the ship nearly in half, sending debris high into the air and raining down on nearby ships and Ford Island.
The moment of tragedy: Arizona's forward magazines explode captured in stills from a film made during the Japanese attack.
https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/pearl-harbor-day-of-infamy/7/
...much of its superstructure was obliterated...
One report described the blast as so intense that it extinguished fires on the nearby repair ship, USS Vestal, which was moored alongside the Arizona at the time.
The fires sparked by the explosion raged for two days, with black smoke billowing into the sky. The ship’s interior was completely destroyed, and much of its superstructure was obliterated.
The scale of the destruction was immense, leaving only the ship’s aft section somewhat intact.
The burning wreckage of the U.S. Navy battleship USS Arizona (BB-39) at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Official United States Navy photograph W-PH-24-8975.
...only a few hundred crew members survived...
The human toll aboard the Arizona was staggering.
Of the 1,512 crewmen on board that day, 1,177 perished, making up almost half of the total number of casualties suffered during the Pearl Harbor attack.
Among those lost were Captain Franklin Van Valkenburgh and Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd, both of whom were aboard the ship during the attack and were killed in the explosion.
The devastation was so complete that only a few hundred crew members survived, many of them suffering severe injuries.
The USS Arizona sinking after being stuck by Japanese bombs.
https://digicolored.blogspot.com/2011/06/1941-pearl-harbor-uss-arizona.html
...galvanized the American public...
The ship itself was declared a total loss. Unlike other battleships that were damaged during the attack and later salvaged for repair, the Arizona was too severely damaged to be restored.
The Arizona became more than just a battleship; it became a symbol of the sacrifices made by the United States during the Second World War.
The destruction of the Arizona and the loss of so many lives galvanized the American public and government, leading to the U.S. declaration of war against Japan on December 8, 1941.
View of battleship row as explosions damage three American battleships during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, December 7, 1941. From left to right, the USS West Virginia, the USS Tennessee, and the USS Arizona.
Interim Archives/Getty Images
Vivid photos show the devastating 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor (mysanantonio.com)
Vertical aerial view of Battleship Row, beside Ford Island, soon after USS Arizona was hit by bombs and her forward magazines exploded. Photographed from a Japanese aircraft. Ships seen are (from left to right): USS Nevada; USS Arizona (burning intensely) with USS Vestal moored outboard; USS Tennessee with USS West Virginia moored outboard; and USS Maryland with USS Oklahoma capsized alongside. Smoke from bomb hits on Vestal and West Virginia is also visible. Japanese inscription in lower left states that the photograph has been reproduced under Navy Ministry authorization.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Rarely seen photos of the USS Arizona, sunk Dec. 7, 1941, in Pearl Harbor (tucson.com)
What caused the explosion?
Two main hypotheses have emerged regarding the cause of the USS Arizona’s catastrophic explosion.
The first theory posits that the bomb hit near or within the black-powder magazine, which stored charges for the ship's saluting guns and catapult.
This explosion could have triggered the ignition of the nearby smokeless powder magazines, used for the ship’s primary armament.
A 1944 Navy Bureau of Ships report suggests that a hatch to the black powder magazine may have been left open, potentially with flammable materials stored nearby.
According to the Naval History and Heritage Command, it's also possible that black powder had been improperly stockpiled outside of its armored magazine, creating a vulnerable ignition point.
Seen from a distance, the Battleship Arizona burns as it sinks in Pearl Harbor after the 7th December 1941 raid by Japanese bombers.
https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2011/07/world-war-ii-pearl-harbor/100117/
...resulted in a devastating explosion...
The second hypothesis is that the bomb penetrated the ship's armored decks, directly reaching one of the main armament's starboard magazines.
This would have resulted in a devastating explosion, though smokeless powder, which was stored in these magazines, is typically harder to ignite.
Because the 14-inch powder bags required a black powder pad for ignition, the relatively short time between the bomb’s detonation and the subsequent explosion suggests a rapid chain reaction ignited by black powder.
This scenario challenges the idea that burning smokeless powder alone could have caused such a quick and catastrophic blast.
Simplistic representation of the explosion on Arizona.
The Bomb that Sank USS Arizona : Pearl Harbor was a tragic day (rebellionresearch.com)
Ultimately, the precise cause of the explosion may never be conclusively determined. The available physical evidence is insufficient, and the magnitude of the destruction left limited clues about the exact sequence of events.
Casualties
The loss of life onboard Arizona was horrific, both due to the sheer amount of deaths and the speed in which it occurred.
The shock and terror of those on board is hard to imagine; after all, the USA was not yet at war and although the US intelligence services suspected a Japanese attack was likely, there was no clear indication of where this would be.
Certainly, your average US Servicemen would have suspected nothing was amiss when they woke up that morning, or that they should be extra vigilant.
For most, it was just a typical day – much like any other.
But by the end of the 7th December 1941, families across the United States were suddenly balancing mourning the loss of friends and loved ones and coping with the reality that their country was now at war.
With the fires now out, the damage to the superstructure of Arizona after her sinking can clearly be seen.
The Bomb that Sank USS Arizona : Pearl Harbor was a tragic day (rebellionresearch.com)
There were 37 confirmed pairs or trios of brothers assigned to the USS Arizona. 62 of these 77 men were killed, and 23 sets of brothers were killed.
Only one complete set of brothers, Kenneth and Russell Warriner, survived the attack; Kenneth was away at flight school in San Diego on the day of the attack, and Russell was severely injured but recovered.
Only four of the 63 brothers who died were found and identified: George Bromley, Donald and Joseph Lakin, and Gordon Shive.
The remaining 59 brothers are still missing.
Battle ship Arizona at pearl Harbor, December 1941. The photo was taken shortley after the battleship was bombed and destroyed during the surprise attack by Japanese forces, December 7, 1941. The vessel at right is a rescue tug. Flag still flying the ship is resting on the bottom of the ocean with decks flooded.
AP Photo
https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/slideshow/The-1941-attack-on-Pearl-Harbor-188008.php
Burned out and sunk in Pearl Harbor on 10th December 1941, three days after she was destroyed during the 7th December Japanese raid. Ships in the background are USS Saint Louis (CL-49), in center, and the hulked minelayer Baltimore (CM-1) at left.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command.
Rarely seen photos of the USS Arizona, sunk Dec. 7, 1941, in Pearl Harbor (tucson.com)
The Beckers, Dohertys, and Murdocks were three sets of three brothers. Each set had one survivor.
Thomas Augusta Free and his son William Thomas Free, the ship's only father-and-son pair, were both killed in action.
Although family members frequently served on the same ship prior to World War II, US officials attempted to discourage the practise following the attack on Pearl Harbor.
However, no official regulations were put in place, and by the end of the war, hundreds of brothers had fought — and died — alongside one another.
Delbert “Jake” Anderson, (left) was killed on the USS Arizona during the Japanese attack. Aged just 24, his body was never recovered. His twin brother John D. “Andy” Anderson, (Right) survived the attack and the Second World War, eventually dying in 2015 aged 98.
Anderson family
A closer look at the USS Arizona‘s wreckage.
Source: Bob Landry/TIME & LIFE Pictures
The five Sullivan brothers from Waterloo, Iowa, for example, enlisted together after learning that a friend, Bill Ball, had died aboard the USS Arizona; their only requirement was that they be assigned to the same ship.
All five siblings were killed in action when their light cruiser, USS Juneau, was sunk during the Battle of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands in November 1942.
The attack on Pearl Harbour had claimed another five victims.
When the music stops
The naval battleship USS Arizona was hit four times by Japanese bombers and sank, accounting for nearly half of the casualties at Pearl Harbor.
All 21 members of Arizona's band, known as US Navy Band Unit (NBU) 22, were among the 1,177 crewmen killed.
When the attack began, the majority of its members were up on deck, preparing to play music for the daily flag-raising ceremony.
They moved quickly to take up positions beneath the ship's gun turret. An entire military band has never died in action in American history.
Members of US Navy Band Unit (NBU) 22 who tragically perished during the attack on the Arizona.
NBU 22 had attended the latest round of the annual "Battle of Music" competition between military bands from US ships based at Pearl Harbor the night before the attack.
Contrary to popular belief, NBU 22 did not perform, despite having already qualified for the finals on 20th December 1941.
Following the assault, the unit was unanimously declared the winner of that year's competition, and the award was renamed the USS Arizona Band Trophy in perpetuity.
Awards
Following the attack, several sailors were awarded medals for their bravery and actions under fire:
- Lieutenant Commander Samuel G. Fuqua, the ship's damage control officer, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery in putting out fires and rescuing survivors from the stricken battleship.
Posthumous Medals of Honor were also awarded to two high-ranking officers who were aboard the battleship when it was destroyed:
- Captain Van Valkenburgh, who reached the bridge and was attempting to defend his ship when the bomb that hit the onboard ammunition magazines destroyed it.
- Rear Admiral Kidd, the first flag officer killed in the Pacific war.
- USS Arizona received one battle star for her service in the Second World War.
Lieutenant Commander Samuel G. Fuqua, who won the Medal of Honor for his actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Joe George, the saviour of Lauren Bruner and Donald Stratton, was eventually recognised for his bravery 2017.
Salvage
Arizona was declared "in ordinary" (temporarily out of service) at Pearl Harbor on December 29, 1942, and was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on December 1, 1942.
Unlike many of the other sunken ships nearby, she was so badly damaged by the magazine explosion that she was deemed unfit for service even if she could be salvaged.
In 1942, her surviving superstructure was scrapped, and her main armament was salvaged over the next year and a half.
The aft main gun turrets were removed and reinstalled as United States Army Coast Artillery Corps Batteries Arizona and Pennsylvania on the Mokapu Peninsula, covering Kaneohe Bay at what is now Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
In February of 1942, crews work to extract the USS Arizona’s aft turrets during salvage operations.
National Archives.
The USS Arizona’s Last Salvo | The National WWII Museum | New Orleans (nationalww2museum.org)
View of the sunken battleship's forward superstructure, showing damage caused when her forward magazines exploded during the 7 December 1941 Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The photograph was taken on 17 February 1942, as work began to remove the collapsed wreckage.
The crane in the left background was then removing Arizona's mainmast.
A diver as he ascends from the oily interior of the sunken Arizona, during salvage operations.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/national_museum_of_the_us_navy/30151725462/in/photostream/
Battery Pennsylvania fired its guns for the first and last time during training on V-J Day in August 1945, while nearby Battery Arizona was never completed.
Both forward turrets were left in place, though Turret II's guns were salvaged and later installed on Nevada in the fall of 1944 after being straightened and relined.
These same guns were later used against the Japanese islands of Okinawa and Iwo Jima.
USS Arizona 4358-42; Man coming out of turret #3 in 1943. Department of the Navy. Fourteenth Naval District. Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. Fleet Salvage Unit.
Rarely seen photos of the USS Arizona, sunk Dec. 7, 1941, in Pearl Harbor (tucson.com)
Rememberance
The sinking of the USS Arizona is remembered as a tragic event in American history, and the ship has since been declared a memorial to the fallen sailors.
The ship remains at the bottom of Pearl Harbor, and its wreckage serves as a permanent reminder of the sacrifices made by American servicemen and women. The USS Arizona Memorial was built over the remains of the ship to honour the lives lost on that fateful day.
Admiral Arthur W. Radford, commander of the Pacific Fleet, installed a flagpole on the Arizona's main mast in 1950, beginning a tradition of hoisting and lowering the flag.
That same year, a temporary memorial was constructed above the deckhouse's remaining portion. The current structure was completed in 1961, during President Dwight D. Eisenhower's administration in America.
The USS Arizona Memorial.
USS Arizona Memorial, A Museum To Commemorate The Battle of Pearl Harbor - Traveldigg.com
This memorial is divided into three sections. The assembly room is the first, followed by the main room, which is used for honour and ceremony.
The latter is a prayer room where the names of the fallen heroes are displayed. Their names were carved into a marble wall. Alfred Preis, an Austrian-born architect, designed the USS Arizona Memorial.
It is visited by over two million people each year. It is only accessible by boat and straddles the sunken hull of the battleship without touching it.
Visitors to the USS Arizona Memorial can pay their respects to the fallen sailors by visiting the site and reading the names of the crew members who lost their lives.
The memorial is a place of reflection and serves as a symbol of the sacrifices made by American servicemen and women in defence of their country.
An unknown victim of the attack.
Dec. 7, 1941, USS Arizona Grave: Punchbowl Memorial Day, H… | Flickr
Together again
The bonds formed by the crewmembers of the Arizona have lasted long after the ship was lost on 7th December 1941.
Since 1982, the US Navy has allowed survivors of the USS Arizona to be buried in the wreckage of their ship.
Following a full military funeral at the Arizona memorial, the cremated remains are placed in an urn before being deposited beneath one of the Arizona's gun turrets by divers.
Navy deck crewman Raymond Haerry was one of the lucky ones. Having survived the sinking of the USS Arizona, he served on other ships during both the Second World War and the Korean War, and then taught at the officer candidate school in Newport, Rhode Island,
He retired from the Navy in 1964. He died on September 27, 2016, at the age of 94, in West Warwick, Rhode Island.
Raymond's granddaughter, Jessica Marino, fulfilled his wish to return to the shipmates who died in the attack by handing over his ashes to be interred in the submerged ship at Pearl Harbor, an honour accorded to members of the ship's final crew.
Over 30 Arizona crewmen who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor have chosen the ship as their final resting place.
Crew members who served on the ship prior to the attack may have their ashes scattered above the wreck site, as may those who served on other vessels stationed at Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941.
Tears of the Arizona
Arizona took on a full load of fuel—nearly 1.5 million gallons—on 6th December 1941, in preparation for its scheduled trip to the mainland later that month.
The following day, much of it fed the explosion and subsequent fires that destroyed the ship after it was attacked by Japanese bombers.
500,000 gallons of oil are still slowly seeping out of the ship's submerged wreckage, despite the raging fire and the ravages of time: Arizona continues to spill up to 9 quarts of oil into the harbour each day, nearly 70 years after it was decommissioned.
Environmental concerns prompted the National Park Service to commission a series of site studies in the mid-1990s to determine the long-term effects of the oil leakage.
Aerial view of the USS Arizona Memorial, showing the wreck and oil seepage from the ship’s bunkers.
The Bomb that Sank USS Arizona : Pearl Harbor was a tragic day (rebellionresearch.com)
Some scientists have warned of a "catastrophic" oil eruption from the wreckage, which they believe would cause extensive damage to the Hawaiian coastline and disrupt US naval operations in the area.
The National Park Service and other government agencies continue to monitor the wreck site's deterioration but are hesitant to perform extensive repairs or modifications due to Arizona's role as a "war grave."
Indeed, the oil that frequently coats the surface of the water surrounding the ship has added emotional gravity for many visitors to the memorial, and is sometimes referred to as the "tears of the Arizona" or "black tears."
Timeline
- 1940-1941: The United States begins to increase its military presence in the Pacific in response to Japan's aggression in Asia and the Pacific.
- July 1941: The United States imposes economic sanctions on Japan in response to its invasion of Indochina.
- 1st November 1941: The Japanese Imperial General Headquarters orders the Imperial Japanese Navy to prepare for war with the United States.
- 1st December 1941: The Japanese government delivers a final ultimatum to the United States, demanding the lifting of economic sanctions and the withdrawal of American support for China.
- 7th December 1941: At approximately 7:55 AM, Japanese aircraft begin the attack on Pearl Harbor. The USS Arizona is among the ships targeted.
The Arizona burning as seen from Ford Island.
USS Arizona Burning From Ford Island | The World War II Multimedia Database (worldwar2database.com)
- 8:06 AM: A bomb penetrates the deck of the USS Arizona and detonates in its forward ammunition magazine, causing a massive explosion.
- 8:10 AM: The USS Arizona is engulfed in flames and begins to sink.
- 8:15 AM: The crew of the USS Arizona attempts to control the fire, but it quickly spreads and becomes uncontrollable.
- 8:20 AM: The order is given to abandon ship.
- 8:30 AM: The USS Arizona sinks to the bottom of Pearl Harbor.
- 11:00 AM: The attack on Pearl Harbor ends. The USS Arizona has sunk, and over 1,100 sailors and Marines have lost their lives.
Further reading
Sources:
https://www.vintag.es/2012/12/awesome-color-photos-of-attack-on-pearl.html
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Arizona_(BB-39)
https://www.rebellionresearch.com/the-bomb-that-sank-uss-arizona
https://www.al.com/live/2009/12/baldwin_pearl_harbor_casualty.html
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/43145063185/
https://www.nps.gov/perl/learn/historyculture/names-of-uss-arizona-brothers.htm
https://www.flickr.com/photos/79072114@N02/8898256069/
https://traveldigg.com/uss-arizona-memorial-a-museum-to-commemorate-the-battle-of-pearl-harbor/
https://culturearea.blogspot.com/2011/12/dec-7-1941pearl-harbor-bombed.html
https://breaking911.com/one-died-pearl-harbor-lived-seventy-five-years-later-theyll-reunited/
https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/uss-arizonas-last-salvo
https://worldwar2database.com/gallery/wwii1385
The Washington Post · Michael E. Ruane