Remembering the USS Arizona

[kaaskop49]

The Arizona is a rally cry for the war, but was to be decommissioned as it was built at the end of the first world war and would have been of no help defeating the Japanese in WW II, fire control being old and armor not up to the ships of the 1940's.

Don't know about that. The sister ship of the Arizona, U.S.S. Pennsylvania, was of great help in the Pacific theater. She bombarded many islands to pave the way for our invasion forces and her antiaircraft battery helped to make things hot for the Kamikazes. Word has it she was angry about what happened to her sister...

It is true that the older BBs were to be decommissioned: Arkansas, New York and Texas (our 3 oldest) were to be first. The Pearl Harbor attack put those plans on hold.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[the ringo kid]

Saw it tonight. Before the program on USS Arizona, there was one about USS Oklahoma.

I thought things were supposed to be crystal clear on Hi Def TV's. The TV kept getting a bit misty. I hadn't realized that Seaman First Class Stratton was burned so badly.

God rest them all.

II SAW BOTH DOCS AS WELL Sorry for caps. Anyway, when they were on the USS Oklahoma--I heardone vet say they still heard noises from survivors who they couldnt rescue for some reason?

Rest in Peace gents.

 

[the ringo kid]

I wonder how many Millennials even know what "Pearl Harbor" is?

I doubt they know when WWII was? let alone what happpened?

 

[the ringo kid]

Just saw it this evening, excellent show. They went deeper into the USS Arizona than they have done before. Amazing how well everything is preserved especially the third deck where they found a suit still hanging on the same coat hanger where it had been put over 75 years ago. I'm wondering when they plan on removing the fuel oil still trapped in the bunkers for the last 75 years ago. Someday they are going to have one heck of an oil spill. Thanks for posting about this. Frank

I dont mean this in a derogatory way at all, but as a collector--I liked when they found an entire intact uniform on a hanger in some officers room somewhere in "Officer Country."

 

[loknload]

If you ever get the chance read the book Decent into Darkness, it was written by a Navy diver who dove on the Arizona and the others doing salvage work after the attack.
It's quite an interesting book into what they saw and encountered and what they removed in the aftermath of the attack.

I too visited the Arizona Memorial and the Punchbowl, quite a humbling experience.

 

[NYlakesider]

If you ever get the chance read the book Decent into Darkness, it was written by a Navy diver who dove on the Arizona and the others doing salvage work after the attack.
It's quite an interesting book into what they saw and encountered and what they removed in the aftermath of the attack.

I too visited the Arizona Memorial and the Punchbowl, quite a humbling experience.

Punchbowl is quite haunting.

Have made 3 trips to Pearl and two of them we went to the Arizona. One tour was loaded with Japanese people and to me they seem quite respectful. I note a big change of attitude from on shore and the launch coming over. Once they got to the memorial and the launch going back they were much more restrained.

Our third trip we spent most of our time on the Missouri as that was in route there our last trip, and touring it has been high on my bucket list. My wife months before got tickets for us on the best tour and I really enjoyed it.

 

[walkin jack]

Thanks for the reminder. Visiting this memorial was a very moving experience. I actually had a conversation with and bought a book written by one of the few remaining survivors. If you have never visited the USS Arizona Memorial you should make every effort to do so.

 

[Will Carry]

A dastardly attack by the Empire of Japan. I will never forget. Japan had no intention of conquering the United States. They figured they would run amok for 6 months to a year in the south Pacific and create the Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere. Then they would sue for peace with the Americans. Admiral Yamamoto knew better "We have awakened a sleeping giant."

 

[wbraswell]

The Arizona is a rally cry for the war, but was to be decommissioned as it was built at the end of the first world war and would have been of no help defeating the Japanese in WW II, fire control being old and armor not up to the ships of the 1940's.

I doubt that, the Arizona was 3 years newer than the Texas, and she was battering the coast of Normandy on June 6, 1944.

 

[Dennis The B]

There are a number of excellent books written on the subject of the Pearl Harbor attack; and I'm partial to two of them.

"At Dawn We Slept", by Gordon Prange. It provides a very good timeline both from the Japanese and U.S. perspectives.

"Pearl Harbor: The Verdict of History", by Gordon Prange, with Donald M. Goldstein and Kartherine V. Dillon.

"Pearl Harbor..." is one of the most detailed books I've read, and details all the events leading up to, and the post-attack events, including letters, hearing recaps, and opinions of those there and those who observed later on.

Edward P. Morgan, who was assistant counsel to several committees, formulated a multi-step approach to intelligence analysis, and his recommendations remain a primer for both military leaders and business leaders. People who ignore his approach, do so at their own peril.

 

[pmanton]

If you ever get the chance read the book Decent into Darkness, it was written by a Navy diver who dove on the Arizona and the others doing salvage work after the attack.
It's quite an interesting book into what they saw and encountered and what they removed in the aftermath of the attack.

I too visited the Arizona Memorial and the Punchbowl, quite a humbling experience.

Thanks much
I just ordered the book from Amazon

 

[nodpete]

About a year ago we saw a program that showed what happens on the Arizona memorial after the tourists are gone. They hold a ceremony for WWII sailors that served a Pearl Harbor during the attack that have recently died (I can't remember how long they've been doing this) but they put their ashes down into the Arizona so that they can be buried with their shipmates. It was quite moving.
Also I'd like to add that I've had the privilege of seeing the Arizona memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and Normandy.

 

[Tom S.]

Here's some pictures from when the wife and I went:

My wife in front of one the 10 ton anchors raised from the ship:



A model of the memorial inside the visitor's center:



A view of the memorial from the visitor's center:

 

[Tom S.]

At the memorial:

One of the main gun turret mounts:



Oil film on the water:



Dedication plaque 1:



Dedication plaque 2:



Names of those who perished:

 

[zzzippper]

The Arizona is a rally cry for the war, but was to be decommissioned as it was built at the end of the first world war and would have been of no help defeating the Japanese in WW II, fire control being old and armor not up to the ships of the 1940's.

Not to highjack the thread but all of the BBs at Pearl Harbor with the exception of Arizona and Oklahoma were raised and modernized and performed sterling service as bombardment ships in the ETO and PTO. The old battlewagons also sank the Fuso, Yamashiro, and virtually their entire task force at the battle of Surigao Strait. The last big-gun battle in history.

 

[tlawler]

I made a few trips over to the memorial when I was stationed at Pearl. What was surprising to me was the numbers of Japanese tourists that visited it. And these were mostly of the age that they either fought in the war or were in Japan through it. They were always very solomn and respectful.
On a side note, the standing joke amongst us young sailors was if you were ever asked by a Japanese tourist where the Arizona memorial was, the response was "right where you left her"

 

[tlawler]

Not to highjack the thread but all of the BBs at Pearl Harbor with the exception of Arizona and Oklahoma were raised and modernized and performed sterling service as bombardment ships in the ETO and PTO. The old battlewagons also sank the Fuso, Yamashiro, and virtually their entire task force at the battle of Surigao Strait. The last big-gun battle in history.

The Utah was never raised either. It is on the North end of Ford Island and from where I lived in Aiea, I could look off my balcony with a pair of binoculars and just make out the outline of it lying under the water. It was slated to be used for aerial bombardment, but was still in commission when sank.

 

[zzzippper]

The Utah was never raised either. It is on the North end of Ford Island and from where I lived in Aiea, I could look off my balcony with a pair of binoculars and just make out the outline of it lying under the water. It was slated to be used for aerial bombardment, but was still in commission when sank.

Utah had already been decommissioned as a BB and was being used as a gunnery training ship.

 

[eveled]

Every year on Dec 7th, I wear a Dixie cup hat, were ever I go. It is a constant reminder all day to keep those who died in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[Onomea]

This show is also available online. (In my case, via the PBS app, but I assume at the PBS website as well.)