USS Arizona Memorial

USS Arizona Memorial. The USS Arizona Memorial is a United States national monument located at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii. It marks the resting place of 1,102 of the 1,177 sailors and Marines killed on the USS *Arizona* during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, which precipitated the American entry into World War II. Administered by the National Park Service in cooperation with the U.S. Navy, the memorial, which straddles the sunken hull of the battleship without touching it, is one of the most visited historical sites in the United States.

History

The impetus for a permanent memorial began shortly after the Attack on Pearl Harbor, with survivors and families of the deceased seeking a suitable tribute. In 1949, the Pacific War Memorial Commission was established by the Territory of Hawaii to create a memorial at Pearl Harbor. Fundraising efforts, led by Honolulu newspaper editor Richards T. Miller and later supported by Elvis Presley's 1961 benefit concert, were challenging but ultimately successful. The U.S. Congress authorized its construction in 1958, and President Dwight D. Eisenhower approved the design. The memorial was formally dedicated on May 30, 1962, by Texas Congressman Olin E. Teague and John A. Burns, the Governor of Hawaii. In 1980, the National Park Service assumed administrative control, integrating it into the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, later redesignated as part of the Pearl Harbor National Memorial in 2019.

Design and construction

The memorial's distinctive design was the creation of Austrian-born architect Alfred Preis, who had been detained at the Honolulu internment camp Sand Island following the Attack on Pearl Harbor. Preis's design is rich in symbolism: the sagging center and strong, upright ends represent initial defeat and ultimate victory. The overall structure is 184 feet long, representing the length of the USS *Arizona*'s hull. Constructed of concrete and steel, it was engineered to float atop Pearl Harbor's waters, attached to the sunken wreck by two massive concrete anchors but never touching the ship itself. The Navy specified that the design be a bridge floating over the battleship to allow for the continued interment of the crew within the vessel. The main contractor for the project was the Pacific Bridge Company of Alameda, California.

Memorial features

Visitors access the memorial via a U.S. Navy boat operated by active-duty sailors. The structure comprises three main sections: an entry room, a central assembly room for ceremonies, and a shrine room. The assembly room features large open sides, allowing views of Pearl Harbor, the USS *Missouri*, and the sunken hull of the USS *Arizona* below. The most solemn space is the shrine room, where a stark marble wall is inscribed with the names of all 1,177 crewmen killed on the ship. Apertures in the floor permit viewing of the battleship's rusting superstructure and the slow, continuous leakage of oil from its fuel bunkers, often called "the tears of the *Arizona*." Artifacts from the ship, including the restored ship's bell, are displayed at the adjacent Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.

Visitor information

The memorial is part of the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, managed by the National Park Service. All programs begin at the visitor center on Ford Island, which houses museums, exhibits, a bookstore, and a theater showing a documentary film about the Attack on Pearl Harbor. Access to the memorial itself is by timed ticket for a program that includes the film, a boat shuttle ride, and time on the memorial. Due to high demand, advance reservations are strongly recommended. The site is open daily except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Appropriate attire and respectful behavior are required, as the memorial is an active U.S. Navy grave site. Nearby historic sites include the USS *Bowfin*, the Pacific Aviation Museum, and the USS *Missouri* Memorial.

Significance and legacy

The USS Arizona Memorial serves as the primary symbol of the Attack on Pearl Harbor and the sacrifices made at the start of World War II for the United States. It is a place of pilgrimage for survivors, veterans, and families, particularly those of the 1,102 men entombed within the ship. The memorial's cultural impact is profound, featuring in numerous films, documentaries, and literary works. It stands as a powerful reminder of the costs of war and a commitment to peace, underscored by its location overlooking the sunken battleship. Annual commemorations on December 7th draw dignitaries from the U.S. Navy, the National Park Service, the State of Hawaii, and the Government of Japan. The continuing relationship between the United States and Japan, once adversaries, is often reflected upon during these ceremonies, highlighting the memorial's enduring role in fostering reconciliation and historical memory.

Category:Monuments and memorials in Hawaii Category:National Memorials of the United States Category:Pearl Harbor Category:World War II memorials in the United States