USS Arizona Memorial

USS Arizona Memorial is a national memorial located at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, United States, dedicated to the USS Arizona (BB-39) and its crew who lost their lives during the Attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The memorial was designed by Alfred Preis and built by the United States Navy in collaboration with the National Park Service. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Hawaii, attracting millions of visitors each year, including United States Presidents, Navy personnel, and World War II veterans. The memorial is also a place of remembrance for the United States Marine Corps, United States Army, and United States Air Force personnel who served during World War II.

● History

The history of the USS Arizona Memorial dates back to the Attack on Pearl Harbor, which was carried out by the Imperial Japanese Navy and resulted in the sinking of the USS Arizona (BB-39) and the loss of 1,177 lives. The attack led to the United States' entry into World War II, and the USS Arizona (BB-39) became a symbol of American sacrifice and patriotism. In the years following the attack, the United States Navy and the National Park Service worked together to establish a memorial to honor the crew of the USS Arizona (BB-39). The memorial was designed by Alfred Preis, an Austrian-American architect, and was built using donations from the United States government, the State of Hawaii, and private organizations, including the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The memorial was dedicated on May 30, 1962, in a ceremony attended by United States President John F. Kennedy, Hawaii Governor William F. Quinn, and other dignitaries, including Admiral Chester Nimitz and General Douglas MacArthur.

● Design and Construction

The design of the USS Arizona Memorial was inspired by the USS Arizona (BB-39) itself, with a white concrete structure that spans the width of the ship's hull. The memorial was built using a combination of concrete, steel, and aluminum, and features a series of columns and arches that evoke the USS Arizona (BB-39)'s superstructure. The memorial's design was influenced by the work of Frank Lloyd Wright and Le Corbusier, and features a unique blend of modernist and classical architectural styles. The construction of the memorial was carried out by the United States Navy's Seabees, with assistance from the National Park Service and private contractors, including the Bechtel Group and the Kiewit Corporation. The memorial's construction was completed in 1961, and it was dedicated the following year in a ceremony attended by United States President John F. Kennedy and other dignitaries, including Queen Elizabeth II and Nikita Khrushchev.

● Memorial Features

The USS Arizona Memorial features a number of unique and poignant elements, including the USS Arizona (BB-39)'s anchor, which is displayed at the memorial's entrance, and the ship's bell, which is rung during ceremonies and special events, including the Memorial Day and Pearl Harbor Day commemorations. The memorial also features a series of walls and placards that list the names of the USS Arizona (BB-39)'s crew members who lost their lives during the Attack on Pearl Harbor, as well as a memorial room that contains artifacts and exhibits related to the USS Arizona (BB-39) and its history, including items from the National World War II Museum and the United States Naval Academy Museum. The memorial's most striking feature, however, is the oil slick that rises to the surface of the water from the USS Arizona (BB-39)'s hull, which serves as a poignant reminder of the ship's sacrifice and the lives that were lost, and is also a symbol of the United States' commitment to freedom and democracy, as embodied by the United States Constitution and the Gettysburg Address.

● Visitation and Operations

The USS Arizona Memorial is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Hawaii, attracting over 1.5 million visitors each year, including United States Presidents, Navy personnel, and World War II veterans. The memorial is operated by the National Park Service, in partnership with the United States Navy and the State of Hawaii, and is open to visitors 365 days a year, except for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Visitors to the memorial can take a boat tour of Pearl Harbor and view the USS Arizona (BB-39)'s hull, which is still visible beneath the water's surface, and can also visit the USS Missouri (BB-63), the USS Oklahoma (BB-37), and the Pacific Aviation Museum, which are all located nearby. The memorial also offers a range of educational programs and activities, including guided tours and living history events, which are designed to promote a greater understanding of the USS Arizona (BB-39)'s history and significance, and to honor the United States' veterans and service members, including those who served in the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

● Historical Significance

The USS Arizona Memorial is a powerful symbol of American sacrifice and patriotism, and serves as a poignant reminder of the lives that were lost during the Attack on Pearl Harbor. The memorial is also an important historical landmark, and has been designated as a National Historic Landmark by the United States Secretary of the Interior. The memorial has been visited by numerous United States Presidents, including John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Barack Obama, as well as by other dignitaries, including Queen Elizabeth II and Pope John Paul II. The memorial has also been the subject of numerous books, films, and documentaries, including "Pearl Harbor" (film) and "The Pacific" (miniseries), and has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the National Medal of Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The memorial's historical significance extends beyond its association with the USS Arizona (BB-39) and the Attack on Pearl Harbor, and serves as a reminder of the United States' commitment to freedom and democracy, as embodied by the United States Constitution and the Gettysburg Address, and as a symbol of the United States' role as a global leader, as recognized by the United Nations and the G7.