Yes, visitors need a reservation ticket or must be accompanied by an active-duty military member to access the USS Oklahoma Memorial at Pearl Harbor.
Here’s what you need to Know:
The Memorial is located on Ford Island which is still an active military base. If you don’t have an active-duty military ID, you can visit the USS Oklahoma Memorial by joining the Ford Island Bus Tour. Reservations are required and can be booked online. A non-refundable $1 fee applies per person. Fees go towards the Pearl Harbor Memorial upkeep. This bus tour also includes the USS Utah Memorial.
The following individuals can enter without a ticket:
- Active-duty military personnel (with valid ID)
- Government employees (including military retirees with ID)
- Escorts with trusted traveler permissions
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.
- Tour duration is 90-minutes.
- 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 will depart at 3:15 PM.
- 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 Oklahoma Memorial at Pearl Harbor
The History of the USS Oklahoma (BB-37) Battleship
The USS Oklahoma (BB-37) was a Nevada-class battleship that played a crucial role in the U.S. Navy before meeting its tragic fate during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Commissioned in 1916, the battleship was built with cutting-edge technology for its time, featuring oil-fueled boilers and enhanced armor protection. It served in World War I, escorting convoys across the Atlantic, and later underwent modernization to improve its firepower and defenses. By the late 1930s, the USS Oklahoma was stationed at Pearl Harbor as tensions with Japan escalated.
On December 7, 1941, the USS Oklahoma was one of the first ships targeted during Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. Within minutes, the battleship was struck by multiple torpedoes, causing it to capsize and trapping hundreds of sailors inside. Despite heroic rescue efforts, 429 crew members lost their lives, making it one of the deadliest losses that day. The sinking of the USS Oklahoma, along with other devastating blows to the U.S. Pacific Fleet, propelled the United States into World War II.
The USS Oklahoma Battleship: The Lost Sister of Nevada
After the attack, efforts were made to salvage the USS Oklahoma. Unlike other damaged battleships that were repaired and returned to service, the Oklahoma was deemed beyond full restoration. It was refloated in 1943, stripped of useful materials, and sold for scrap. However, while being towed to the mainland in 1947, the ship mysteriously sank in the Pacific Ocean, never reaching its final destination. Its disappearance remains one of the lesser-known yet haunting chapters of Pearl Harbor’s history.
The USS Oklahoma Memorial at Pearl Harbor stands as a tribute to the sailors and Marines who perished during the attack. Dedicated in 2007, the memorial features 429 white marble columns, each representing a life lost. Positioned near the USS Missouri, the site symbolizes both the tragic beginning of America’s involvement in World War II and its victorious conclusion, as the Missouri was where Japan officially surrendered in 1945.
Visiting the USS Oklahoma Memorial offers a sobering reminder of the sacrifices made by those who served. Unlike the USS Arizona Memorial, which honors those entombed in the sunken battleship, the Oklahoma’s tribute focuses on remembering the individuals who were aboard when it capsized. The design of the memorial allows visitors to reflect on the cost of war while standing on the very ground where history unfolded.
The USS Oklahoma’s story is a testament to the resilience and bravery of the U.S. Navy. Its loss at Pearl Harbor was a devastating moment, but it also marked the turning point that led the United States to emerge as a global force in World War II. Today, the battleship’s legacy lives on through the memorial, ensuring future generations remember the courage and sacrifice of those who served aboard the USS Oklahoma.
Where is the USS Oklahoma Now?
The USS Oklahoma went down in the Pacific Ocean in 1947, approximately 500 to 700 miles northeast of Oahu, after being towed from Pearl Harbor during a storm. The crews of the tugboats let go of their tow cables to protect themselves, causing the ship to sink in waters far deeper than those at Pearl Harbor. However, the exact location of the wreck was never recorded.
Even with these difficulties, there is still hope that the USS Oklahoma will be discovered. The search for the ship continues to inspire people and serves as a powerful reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of those who served.