As the sun sets on another warm day in Hawaii, visitors to Pearl Harbor flock to pay their respects to the fallen heroes who lost their lives on the USS Arizona. The attack on Pearl Harbor was a defining moment in American history, and it is essential that we remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. But, as we stand on the deck of the USS Arizona Memorial, we have to ask ourselves – are bodies still in the USS Arizona?
It’s a question that lingers in the back of the minds of many who visit the site, and for good reason. The USS Arizona went down with 1,177 of her crew members on board, and many of those brave men remain trapped within her hull. Despite numerous attempts to retrieve their remains, they still rest within the sunken ship – a reminder of the horrors of war and the sacrifices that so many have made for our country.
But why have these bodies not been recovered? What is preventing us from bringing them home and giving them a proper burial? These are questions that have plagued historians and families of the fallen for decades. In this article, we will explore the complex factors that have contributed to the decision to leave the bodies of those who perished on the USS Arizona in their final resting place. We will delve into the cultural and ethical considerations that have made this issue so complicated and examine the ongoing efforts to ensure that their sacrifice is never forgotten.
History of the USS Arizona
The USS Arizona was a Pennsylvania-class battleship that served the United States Navy during World War I, and eventually met its tragic fate during World War II at the hands of the Japanese. The ship was launched on June 19th, 1915, and commissioned on October 17th, 1916. It was named in honor of the 48th state’s recent admission as a state into the Union. When it was launched, the USS Arizona was one of the largest battleships in the world, measuring 608 feet in length and weighing 32,600 tons.
- The USS Arizona served in the Atlantic during World War I, where it primarily conducted convoy escort missions.
- After a brief period of service in the Pacific, the USS Arizona underwent extensive modernization in 1929-1931.
- After modernization, the USS Arizona served in the Pacific once again, where it demonstrated its impressive firepower during a training exercise in August 1941.
The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941, is a major event in the history of the USS Arizona. During the attack, a bomb struck the forward magazine of the ship, causing a massive explosion that sank the USS Arizona and killed the majority of its crew. As of today, the USS Arizona remains at the bottom of Pearl Harbor, with a memorial built over the remains of the ship to honor the men who lost their lives.
During World War II, the USS Arizona earned four battle stars for its services, making it the most decorated battleship in the US Navy at that time.
| Length | Weight | Commissioned | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 608 feet | 32,600 tons | October 17th, 1916 | Sunk during attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7th, 1941 |
Although the USS Arizona’s service was cut short, its legacy lives on in the form of the USS Arizona Memorial, which sees over a million visitors each year. The USS Arizona will always remain a symbol of the courage and sacrifice shown by the men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces during World War II.
Construction and Launch of the USS Arizona
The USS Arizona was a Pennsylvania-class battleship built for the United States Navy in the mid-1910s. The construction of the USS Arizona took place at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York, starting on March 16, 1914. The ship was launched on June 19, 1915, and commissioned on October 17, 1916. Its launch was celebrated with a large number of people, including the First Lady of the United States, Edith Wilson, and the Secretary of the Navy, Josephus Daniels, in attendance.
Key facts about the USS Arizona construction and launch
- The USS Arizona was one of the two Pennsylvania-class battleships authorized by the U.S. Congress in 1913.
- The keel of the USS Arizona was laid down on March 16, 1914, at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
- The launch of the USS Arizona took place on June 19, 1915, and was attended by the First Lady of the United States, Edith Wilson and other dignitaries.
- The USS Arizona was commissioned on October 17, 1916, with Captain John D. McDonald as its first commanding officer.
Design and Characteristics of the USS Arizona
The USS Arizona was a state-of-the-art battleship of its time. It was over 600 feet long and weighed over 32,000 tons, with a crew of 1,500 officers and men. Its main armament consisted of twelve 14-inch guns in four triple turrets, and its secondary armament comprised twenty-two 5-inch guns and four 3-inch guns. It also had four torpedo tubes and could carry two seaplanes. The ship’s propulsion system included steam turbines that moved four shafts, giving it a top speed of 21 knots.
Construction Materials Used for the USS Arizona
The USS Arizona was constructed using advanced materials and engineering methods of the time. It had a steel frame, with its outer skin made of steel plates. The ship’s armor consisted of a layer of Krupp cemented armor, which was an especially hard, high-quality type of armor used in warships. The Krupp armor was about 12 inches thick in the ship’s most heavily protected areas. The ship’s total armor weighed over 6,200 tons, making it one of the most heavily protected battleships of its era.
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Length | 608 feet |
| Beam | 97 feet |
| Displacement | 31,400 tons (standard); 33,500 tons (full load) |
| Maximum speed | 21 knots |
| Armament | twelve 14-inch guns, twenty-two 5-inch guns, four 3-inch guns, four torpedo tubes |
| Crew | 1,500 officers and men |
The USS Arizona played an important role in the Atlantic Fleet’s operations during World War I. In its later years, it was based primarily in the Pacific, where it participated in numerous fleet exercises and training maneuvers, before meeting its tragic end in Pearl Harbor in 1941.
Attack on the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor
The attack on the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy on December 7, 1941. The attack was aimed at the United States Pacific Fleet and resulted in the deaths of 2,403 Americans and the sinking of four battleships, including the USS Arizona.
- The attack began at 7:55 am and was launched from six Japanese aircraft carriers.
- The USS Arizona was hit by four bombs and exploded, sinking to the bottom of the harbor and taking 1,177 sailors and Marines with her.
- The ship has since become a memorial and white concrete structure that spans the length of the sunken battleship serves as a tribute to the fallen crew members.
Today, the USS Arizona remains at the bottom of Pearl Harbor, with the majority of the crew members still onboard. The remains of those crew members who survived the attack or were later recovered have been laid to rest at the nearby National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
The attack on the USS Arizona is a somber reminder of the sacrifices made by American service members in defense of our country and their bravery in the face of adversity.
| Ship | Survived | Killed | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| USS Arizona | 337 | 1,177 | 1,514 |
| USS Oklahoma | 32 | 415 | 447 |
| USS California | 2 | 100 | 102 |
| USS West Virginia | 130 | 106 | 236 |
The attack on the USS Arizona will forever be etched in American history as a reminder of the sacrifices made by our service members and the importance of defending our country against those who seek to do us harm.
Efforts to recover bodies from the USS Arizona wreckage
Since the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the USS Arizona has remained at the bottom of the harbor, serving as a memorial to the lives lost on board. While the majority of the ship’s crew was recovered and buried, many bodies were never found. Today, there are still nearly 1,000 sailors and marines who remain entombed within the ship. Efforts have been made over the years to recover these bodies, but it has proven to be a difficult and sensitive task.
- In the years following the attack, divers tried to retrieve bodies from the wreckage but were often unsuccessful due to dangerous conditions and lack of equipment.
- In the 1960s, a Navy salvage team attempted to recover the bodies, but they were only able to retrieve a few remains.
- In the late 1990s, a new effort was made to recover the remaining bodies by using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to explore the wreckage. However, the task proved to be too difficult, and the operation was halted.
The National Park Service, which manages the USS Arizona Memorial, has decided that the ship will remain undisturbed, and the bodies of the sailors and marines who perished on board will be left to rest in peace. Instead, efforts are being made to preserve the ship and the memory of those who served on it. This includes ongoing maintenance and preservation efforts, as well as education and outreach programs to ensure that future generations understand the significance of the USS Arizona.
While the remaining bodies may never be recovered, the legacy of the USS Arizona and its crew will continue to be honored and remembered.
| Effort | Year | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Diver Recovery | 1941-1942 | Only a few remains were recovered due to dangerous conditions and lack of equipment. |
| Navy Salvage Team | 1960s | Only a few remains were recovered due to the difficulty of the task. |
| ROV Exploration | 1990s | The task proved to be too difficult, and the operation was halted. |
Through these efforts, we honor the sacrifice and courage of those who served and continue to remember the events that occurred on that fateful day in 1941.
Identification of remains from the USS Arizona
More than 1,100 sailors and marines were killed when the USS Arizona was bombed and sank during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Many of the sailors who died in the attack were never identified, and their remains are still entombed within the sunken battleship at the bottom of Pearl Harbor.
- The remains of some sailors were identified and recovered shortly after the attack, but this process was complicated by the massive destruction and fires that ensued.
- In the following years, efforts were made to recover the remains of those still missing, but many were deemed unrecoverable due to the extent of the damage and the location of their remains within the wreckage.
- With advances in technology, efforts to identify the remaining remains have continued in recent years. In 2015, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) launched a project to exhume and identify the 388 unknown sailors and marines who were buried as “unknowns” at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.
The DPAA uses a combination of forensic anthropology, historical records, and DNA analysis to identify the remains. The process can be slow and painstaking, but it is important for the families of the fallen to have closure and to honor their loved ones.
Below is a table of the known and unknown sailors and marines who died on the USS Arizona:
| Known | Unknown |
|---|---|
| 918 | 1,102 |
The remains of the sailors and marines still entombed within the USS Arizona are considered to be still “on duty” and are honored as such with a flag flown above the wreck.
Memorializing the USS Arizona and its crew
The USS Arizona was a Pennsylvania-class battleship that was sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. This tragic event claimed the lives of 1,177 crew members, and to this day, their bodies remain entombed in the ship. In the decades since, various efforts have been made to memorialize the USS Arizona and its crew, both as a way to honor the fallen and to commemorate the significance of Pearl Harbor in American history.
- In 1949, a memorial for the USS Arizona was dedicated in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The USS Arizona Memorial consists of a floating platform that sits above the sunken battleship, allowing visitors to pay their respects to the crew members who lost their lives. The memorial draws millions of visitors each year and serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifice made on that fateful day.
- In addition to the USS Arizona Memorial, the Pearl Harbor National Memorial includes a visitor center and the Battleship Missouri Memorial, which is located near the USS Arizona. The battleship Missouri was the site of the Japanese surrender that brought World War II to a close, making its inclusion in the memorial especially significant.
- Outside of Hawaii, there have been efforts to memorialize the USS Arizona and its crew in other ways. One such effort is the USS Arizona Mall Memorial in Tucson, Arizona, which includes a statue of the battleship’s bow that serves as a tribute to Arizona’s 1,511 Navy veterans who served on the USS Arizona during its time in service from 1916 to 1941.
The USS Arizona and its crew continue to be remembered for their sacrifice, and efforts to honor their memory will no doubt continue for generations to come.
One notable fact is that while the bodies of the crew members remain entombed in the ship, the USS Arizona continues to leak oil, known as the “Tears of the Arizona,” which rises to the surface of the water and serves as a poignant reminder of the tragedy that occurred on that day. As of 2021, efforts are being made to address the leaking oil, with the goal of preserving the ship and ensuring its long-term sustainability as a memorial to the fallen crew.
| Memorialization Effort | Description |
|---|---|
| USS Arizona Memorial | A floating platform that sits above the sunken battleship in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. |
| Pearl Harbor National Memorial | A memorial that includes the USS Arizona Memorial, the Battleship Missouri Memorial, and a visitor center. |
| USS Arizona Mall Memorial | A memorial in Tucson, Arizona that includes a statue of the battleship’s bow. |
Overall, the various efforts to memorialize the USS Arizona and its crew serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought and died for their country. While their bodies may remain entombed in the ship, their memory lives on through the various memorials and tributes that have been established in their honor.
Controversies surrounding the USS Arizona’s status as a war grave
The USS Arizona, a battleship that was attacked by the Japanese in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7, 1941, is one of the most infamous war graves in the United States. The ship, along with the lives of 1,177 sailors and Marines, was lost during the attack, and now rests at the bottom of the harbor. However, there are certain controversies surrounding the status of the USS Arizona as a war grave.
- Should the USS Arizona be considered a national cemetery?
- Should the USS Arizona be made accessible for diving?
- Should the remains of the USS Arizona’s crew be exhumed?
One of the most significant controversies surrounding the USS Arizona’s status as a war grave is whether or not the ship should be considered a national cemetery. At present, the ship is not recognized as a national cemetery, and this means that it is not subject to the same protections as official cemeteries. This lack of protection has led to concerns that the ship could be compromised or damaged by future construction or other activities in the area.
Another controversy surrounding the USS Arizona’s status as a war grave is whether or not the ship should be made accessible for diving. Currently, diving on the USS Arizona is not allowed, and this policy is in place to protect the remains of the crew and to maintain the sanctity of the site. However, there are some who believe that the ship should be made accessible for tourists and that diving on the site could be a powerful educational experience.
Finally, there is some debate regarding whether or not the remains of the USS Arizona’s crew should be exhumed. At present, the remains of many of the ship’s sailors and Marines are still entombed in the wreckage, and some people believe that these remains should be brought to the surface and properly buried. Others argue that the remains should be left in place as a memorial to those who lost their lives in the attack.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Making the USS Arizona a national cemetery would provide increased protection and recognition for the ship and its crew. | Designating the USS Arizona as a national cemetery could create complex legal and administrative challenges. |
| Allowing diving on the USS Arizona could provide a unique educational experience and bring tourism revenue to Hawaii. | Diving on the USS Arizona could damage the site and compromise the remains of the crew. |
| Exhuming the remains of the USS Arizona’s crew could provide closure for families and ensure that the crew is properly buried. | Exhuming the remains of the USS Arizona’s crew could be seen as disrespectful and could disturb the sanctity of the site. |
Regardless of which side people take in these controversies, it is clear that the USS Arizona is a site that holds great significance for many Americans, and that the debate over its status as a war grave is likely to continue for years to come.
FAQs about Are Bodies Still in the USS Arizona
Q: Are there still bodies in the USS Arizona?
A: Yes, there are still bodies in the USS Arizona. The ship’s sinking in 1941 resulted in the loss of over 1,100 lives, and many of those who perished remain entombed within the ship’s hull.
Q: Why haven’t the bodies been removed?
A: The USS Arizona serves as a memorial to those who lost their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The site is protected as a national historic landmark, and the remains of those who perished are considered sacred. As such, the bodies have not been removed.
Q: Can visitors see the bodies?
A: No, visitors cannot see the bodies. The USS Arizona Memorial was built on top of the ship’s hull and provides visitors with a space to honor the memory of those who died. The remains of the ship and its crew are located beneath the memorial.
Q: Are there any plans to remove the bodies?
A: No, there are no plans to remove the bodies. The USS Arizona Memorial serves as a place of reflection and remembrance, and the remains of those who perished are considered an important part of that history.
Q: How many bodies are still in the USS Arizona?
A: It is estimated that approximately 900 bodies remain entombed within the ship’s hull.
Q: Is it safe to visit the USS Arizona Memorial?
A: Yes, it is safe to visit the USS Arizona Memorial. The site has been carefully preserved and maintained, and visitors are provided with a safe and informative experience.
Q: What can visitors expect when they visit the USS Arizona Memorial?
A: Visitors to the USS Arizona Memorial can expect to learn about the events of December 7, 1941, and the impact of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The memorial offers a number of exhibits, displays, and interactive features that provide a comprehensive overview of this important period in American history.
Closing Thoughts
Thank you for taking the time to learn about the USS Arizona and the bodies that remain within its hull. While the loss of these lives is a tragedy, the memorial serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made during the attack on Pearl Harbor. We hope that you will visit the site in the future and pay your respects to those who perished. Please check back for more informative articles in the future.