Yes, you need a reservation ticket to visit the USS Utah Memorial at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. To do so you must reserve a seat on the Ford Island Bus Tour from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. The cost of the reservation is a $1 fee that is non-refundable. This fee is for everyone including infants and children and goes towards the upkeep of the the Pearl Harbor Memorial.
Here’s what you need to know:
- The USS Utah Memorial is located on Ford Island which is still a part of an active military base. To reach the memorial, you’ll take the Ford Island Bus Tour, which is operated by the National Park Service. The tour includes stops at the USS Utah and USS Oklahoma Memorials.
- The USS Utah is a battleship that was sunk by torpedoes on December 7, 1941, during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The ship still lies where it sank and can only be visited via the bus tour.
Additional Important Information:
- The Pearl Harbor Memorial is open everyday throughout the year from 7 AM – 5 PM except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
- The roundtrip Ford Island Bus Tour operates Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 3:15 PM to 5 PM.
- Limited to 25 participants per tour.
- Reserve up to 5 tickets per day (this includes infants and children)
- This does not include the USS Arizona Memorial which requires a separate reservation ticket.
- Arrive at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center by 2:30 PM for check-in at 3 PM as the tour departs at 3:15 PM.
- Tour duration is 90-minutes.
- Military and contractor personnel with a permit can access Ford Island directly.
- For a more emersive visit to The Pearl Harbor Memorial, consider getting the Passport to Pearl Harbor Ticket which gives you access to the USS Arizona Memorial, the USS Missouri Battleship Memorial, the Pearl Harbor Pacific Aviation Museum, and the USS Bowfin + Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum. You can book here.
Directions to the USS Utah Memorial at Pearl Harbor
The History of the USS Utah (BB-31) Battleship
The USS Utah (BB-31) was a Nevada-class battleship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1911. Built to serve as a symbol of American naval power during the early 20th century, the Utah was involved in numerous key naval operations throughout its active years. However, its most significant moment came on December 7, 1941, during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The ship’s history, from its early days of service to its tragic end, provides a remarkable glimpse into the evolution of naval warfare and the impact of World War II on the Pacific theater.
At the time of its commissioning, the USS Utah was considered a modern battleship, designed with powerful guns and armor to withstand enemy fire. Initially, the ship was stationed on the U.S. East Coast before being reassigned to the Pacific Fleet. Throughout the years, the Utah took part in several training exercises and maneuvers, demonstrating the growing importance of naval presence in the Pacific as tensions increased between the United States and Japan. The ship, like many others, was part of the prelude to the eventual conflict that would engulf the world.
The USS Utah Battleship: Pearl Harbor’s Forgotten Casualty
On the fateful morning of December 7, 1941, the USS Utah was moored at Pearl Harbor, alongside several other ships of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. As the Japanese launched their surprise attack, the Utah was struck by torpedoes, causing significant damage to the ship. The attack led to the loss of 64 crew members, and the Utah was eventually sunk. Despite being severely damaged, the ship did not fully sink right away and was left partially submerged, marking it as one of the few battleships that survived the initial attack but never returned to active duty.
The sinking of the USS Utah during the Pearl Harbor attack had profound implications for both the U.S. Navy and the broader American military strategy. The event was one of the key moments that propelled the United States into World War II. In addition to the Utah, other battleships like the USS Arizona were also destroyed, but the loss of these ships underscored the vulnerability of the fleet to modern warfare tactics. In the aftermath of the attack, the U.S. Navy quickly shifted focus, investing in aircraft carriers and submarines to dominate the Pacific in the coming years.
Today, the USS Utah’s wreck remains submerged at Pearl Harbor, a haunting reminder of the events that unfolded that day. Although the ship is no longer a symbol of active naval power, its legacy lives on as a memorial to those who lost their lives. The site where the Utah rests is preserved and visited by thousands each year, as part of the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. The sunken ship serves as a testament to the resilience of the U.S. Navy and the ultimate sacrifice made by its sailors.
The significance of the USS Utah extends beyond its role in the attack on Pearl Harbor. The ship’s story represents the broader narrative of American military engagement in World War II. The loss of the Utah, along with other ships, served as a pivotal moment in naval history that helped the United States and its allies pivot from defensive strategies to aggressive campaigns in the Pacific. The Utah’s history serves as a reminder of the bravery of those who served aboard it and of the broader sacrifices made during one of the most defining conflicts in world history.