The Lasting Legacy of the USS Arizona: Aftermath and Memorials
On December 7, 1941, the attack on Pearl Harbor brought the United States irrevocably into World War II. Among the ships that bore the brunt of the Japanese forces was the USS Arizona (BB-39), a battleship of the United States Navy. The attack that day brought immense damage to the ship, with multiple bombs hitting it, one of which penetrated the deck and exploded in the forward ammunition magazine. This resulted in a catastrophic explosion and the loss of 1,177 crew members, making it one of the deadliest events in U.S. naval history.
Repair and Salvage Decision
In the aftermath of the attack, it was deemed that the USS Arizona was too severely damaged to be salvaged or repaired. Critics argue that the ship was quickly deemed a war grave and left on the seabed to serve as a memorial. However, salvaging other ships in the vicinity presented a different issue. The hulks of other battleships, such as the USS Utah and USS Oklahoma, could not be recovered due to the challenging ocean conditions and the soft, unstable seabed. The delicate operation and the high costs associated with removing these wrecks did not make the effort worthwhile.
Memorial and National Recognition
Although the USS Arizona was left to rest on the seabed, it was not forgotten. In 1989, it was designated as a National Historic Landmark. Today, the ship is part of the Pearl Harbor National Memorial and its sunken hull now forms the base of the USS Arizona Memorial. This memorial serves not only as a tribute to those who lost their lives on that fateful day but also as a reminder of the pivotal events that shaped the subsequent history of the United States. Visitors can learn about the events of Pearl Harbor through exhibits at the memorial and pay their respects to the fallen.
Visiting the USS Arizona Memorial
The USS Arizona Memorial, built over the sunken hull of the ship, is a poignant tribute to those who died in the attack. It is located on Ford Island and provides a unique opportunity for visitors to pay their respects. From the decks of the USS Missouri, one can see the location where the war began and where it ended with the surrender of the Japanese on the USS Missouri.
The hull of the USS Arizona was shattered near the area of the 1 and 2 turrets. While other equipment was salvaged for use elsewhere, the decision to leave the entire hull as a war grave and memorial was made. This choice was driven by the severe damage to the ship and the impracticality of salvage efforts given the ocean conditions at the time. As a result, the sunken hull now serves as a powerful symbol of the USS Arizona's role in history.
Further Reading and Exploration
If you are interested in learning more about the challenges the Navy faced in recovering the ships at Pearl Harbor, you might want to check out Drachinifel's excellent three-part video series called ‘Up She Comes’. This series provides a comprehensive insight into the recovery operations and the conditions that made these endeavors so challenging.
The USS Arizona and its memorial stand as a powerful reminder of one of the most defining moments in U.S. history. They serve as a tribute to those who lost their lives and a call to remember the sacrifices made in the service of freedom.