What is the USS Arizona?

The USS Arizona was a Pennsylvania-class battleship of the United States Navy, best known for being sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

When was the USS Arizona built and launched?

• Keel Laid Down: March 16, 1914
• Launched: June 19, 1915
• Commissioned: October 17, 1916

When was the USS Arizona decommissioned?

The ship was never officially decommissioned. After being sunk at Pearl Harbor, it was declared “out of commission” on December 29, 1941, and later “stricken” from the Naval Vessel Register on December 1, 1942.

USS Arizona Specs

How big was the USS Arizona?

• Length: 608 feet (185 meters)
• Beam (width): 97 feet (29.6 meters)
• Draft (depth in water): 29 feet 3 inches (8.9 meters)
• Displacement: 31,400 tons standard, 37,654 tons fully loaded

What type of guns did the USS Arizona have?

• Main Battery: 12 × 14-inch (356 mm) guns in four triple turrets
• Secondary Battery: 22 × 5-inch (127 mm) guns
• Anti-Aircraft: 4 × 3-inch (76 mm) guns
• Torpedo Tubes: 2 × 21-inch (533 mm)

Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona Legacy

What happened to the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor?

During the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the USS Arizona was hit by several bombs, with a catastrophic explosion in its forward magazine. The ship sank in minutes, taking 1,177 crew members with it.

Why wasn’t the USS Arizona raised?

The damage was too severe, and the ship was considered a war grave. Instead of being salvaged, it remains at the bottom of Pearl Harbor as a memorial to the fallen crew.

How many men died on the USS Arizona?

A total of 1,177 officers and crew were killed, making it the greatest loss of life on any U.S. Navy vessel during the attack.

Can you still see the USS Arizona today?

Yes, the USS Arizona Memorial was built above the wreckage in 1962. Visitors can see parts of the ship submerged below the water at Pearl Harbor National Memorial in Hawaii.

What Happened to The USS Arizona?

See the memorial for yourself by purchasing the Passport to Pearl Harbor ticket here.

Obscure Facts of The USS Arizona

What is still leaking from the USS Arizona?

The ship continues to leak oil, sometimes called “the Black Tears of the Arizona.” It is estimated that around 500,000 gallons of oil remain in the wreckage.

Was the USS Arizona ever used in combat before Pearl Harbor?

No, the USS Arizona never saw combat before the attack. It was primarily used for training and diplomatic missions.

Did anyone survive the USS Arizona sinking?

Yes, 335 crew members survived, including those who were on leave at the time.

Can USS Arizona survivors be buried with the ship?

Yes, surviving crew members can have their ashes interred in the wreck, a tradition that has continued since the 1980s.

What happened to the USS Arizona’s bell and guns?

One of the ship’s bells is on display at the University of Arizona. Some of the ship’s gun turrets were later used on other U.S. Navy ships. To get tickets to see the USS Arizona Memorial, consider purchasing the Passport ticket to Pearl Harbor here which will grant you access to all of Pearl Harbor’s historic sites!

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What Does the $1 Fee Cover?
This fee helps manage the reservation system for the USS Arizona Memorial program.

How to Reserve Your Spot

• Check online to book your ticket reservation with the Pearl Harbor Memorial park site.
• Reservations are highly recommended to ensure availability.

Important Things to Remember

• Every visitor, regardless of age, must have a ticket reservation.
• Arrive at least one hour before your scheduled time to avoid missing your boat departure.
• The USS Arizona Memorial is open daily from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• Plan to spend at least two hours exploring and learning during your visit.
• No bags. There are lockers to store your personals at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.
• For a more immersive Pearl Harbor experience to include all the Memorial has to offer, book The Pearl Harbor Passport here. This gives you access to all historical exhibits including the USS Arizona Memorial, the USS Missouri Battleship Memorial, the Pacific Fleet Museum & USS Bowfin submarine, and the Pacifica Aviation Museum.

History of The USS Arizona Battleship (BB-39)

The USS Arizona (BB-39) holds a prominent place in U.S. naval history as one of the most iconic battleships of the early 20th century. Commissioned in 1916, this Pennsylvania-class battleship was built at the height of World War I but did not see action during that conflict. Instead, the USS Arizona became a symbol of American military strength in the interwar period. At over 600 feet in length and equipped with twelve 14-inch guns, it represented the cutting-edge naval technology of its time. Stationed primarily in the Pacific Fleet, the ship was a key component of the United States’ growing naval presence in the Pacific Ocean during the 1930s.

The ship’s tragic fate was sealed on December 7, 1941, during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. As part of a surprise offensive that brought the U.S. into World War II, Japanese bombers targeted battleships moored at Ford Island in Hawaii. The USS Arizona suffered a catastrophic explosion when an armor-piercing bomb detonated its forward ammunition magazines. This single blast caused the ship to sink quickly, claiming the lives of 1,177 crew members. The destruction of the Arizona accounted for nearly half of the total casualties sustained by U.S. forces during the Pearl Harbor attack.

In the aftermath of the attack, the USS Arizona was deemed too damaged to be salvaged and was left at the bottom of Pearl Harbor. Its remains became both a gravesite and a symbol of national sacrifice. Over the years, public and military interest grew in preserving the site as a memorial. In 1962, the USS Arizona Memorial was formally dedicated, spanning the sunken hull of the battleship. Designed by architect Alfred Preis, the memorial features a striking white structure that appears to float above the water, symbolizing both loss and hope.

Today, the USS Arizona Memorial is managed by the National Park Service and remains one of the most visited historical sites in Hawaii. It attracts millions of visitors annually, serving as a poignant reminder of the cost of war and the resilience of the American people. Accessible by boat, the memorial allows visitors to look down upon the sunken remains of the battleship, which are still visible beneath the surface. The site also serves as the final resting place for many of the crew members who perished, making it a deeply emotional experience for those who visit.

The memorial includes a shrine room listing the names of the 1,177 sailors and Marines who lost their lives aboard the USS Arizona. The oil that continues to seep from the wreckage, often called the “tears of the Arizona,” serves as a haunting reminder of the events of December 7, 1941. The site has also become a place for educational programs and ceremonies, including annual commemorations on Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. These events honor both the fallen and the survivors who endured that pivotal day in American history.

The USS Arizona Battleship’s Legacy

The legacy of the USS Arizona and its memorial transcends its historical significance. It serves as a bridge between past and present, reminding future generations of the importance of vigilance, sacrifice, and unity. As both a historical artifact and a sacred space, the USS Arizona Memorial continues to educate and inspire, ensuring that the memory of those who gave their lives will never fade.

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• The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
• Museums and temporary exhibits
• The park film about the attack on Pearl Harbor
• The grounds of the Pearl Harbor Memorial

Pearl Harbor Tickets & Reservations

To visit certain attractions at Pearl Harbor, reservations or tickets are necessary. Here’s what you need to know:

Passport to Pearl Harbor

For a comprehensive experience, you can purchase the Passport to Pearl Harbor here, which is an official, complete self-guided tour to Pearl Harbor historic sites. This official pass grants admission to:

• USS Battleship Missouri
• USS Oklahoma
• USS Bowfin & Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum
• Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
• Pearl Harbor Visitors Center
• Round-trip transportation to Ford Island
• Audio tours included

USS Arizona Memorial

Advance reservations are highly recommended for this popular program due to its limited availability. Book your spot easily online.

Ford Island Bus Tour

This is a fully-guided 90-minute tour, which includes visits to the USS Utah and USS Oklahoma Memorials, requires reservations in advance.

USS Missouri – USS Bowfin – Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum

Tickets are necessary to access additional attractions like the USS Battleship Missouri, USS Bowfin Submarine Museum, and Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. You can secure your tickets by booking a tour or purchasing them individually.

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