The USS Arizona Memorial is one of the most iconic and revered landmarks in the United States, honoring the lives lost during the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor by the Imperial Japanese Navy on December 7, 1941. Located in Honolulu, Hawaii, the memorial is situated above the sunken battleship USS Arizona, which still lies at the bottom of the harbor. The memorial serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the 1,177 crew members who perished in the attack, and it has become a symbol of American patriotism and resilience.
History of the USS Arizona
The USS Arizona was a Pennsylvania-class battleship commissioned in 1915, which played a significant role in the United States’ naval presence in the Pacific during the early 20th century. On the morning of December 7, 1941, the USS Arizona was moored in Ford Island’s berth F-7, alongside several other battleships. At 7:55 a.m., the first wave of Japanese aircraft launched a surprise attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet, dropping bombs and strafing the ships with machine gun fire. The USS Arizona was hit by a 1,760-pound armor-piercing bomb, which detonated the ship’s forward magazine, causing a massive explosion that sank the ship in just nine minutes.
Design and Construction of the Memorial
The USS Arizona Memorial was designed by architect Alfred Preis, a Hungarian-born American who was interned in a Japanese-American internment camp during World War II. Preis’ design consisted of a white concrete structure spanning 184 feet long and 36 feet wide, with a flat, elevated platform in the center. The memorial’s design is meant to evoke the shape of a ship’s bridge, with the elevated platform representing the ship’s deck. The structure is supported by three concrete columns, which are anchored to the harbor floor, while the platform is suspended above the water, allowing visitors to look down and see the remains of the USS Arizona below.
The memorial was constructed between 1960 and 1962, using a combination of concrete, steel, and marble. The structure is designed to be a bridge between the past and the present, with the elevated platform serving as a threshold between the world above and the sacred space below, where the remains of the USS Arizona and its crew lie. The memorial's walls are adorned with the names of the 1,177 crew members who perished, as well as a quote from Admiral Isaac C. Kidd, which reads: "To the memory of the gallant men here entombed and their shipmates who gave their last full measure of devotion to their country."
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Length | 184 feet |
| Width | 36 feet |
| Height | 21 feet |
| Material | Concrete, steel, marble |
Visiting the USS Arizona Memorial
Each year, over 1.5 million visitors from around the world come to pay their respects to the crew members of the USS Arizona. The memorial is accessible by boat, and visitors can take a short ferry ride from the USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center to the memorial. The visitor center offers a museum, a theater, and a bookstore, as well as a dock where visitors can board the ferry to the memorial. Once on board, visitors can explore the memorial, reading the names of the crew members, viewing the ship’s bell, and looking down at the remains of the USS Arizona below.
Preservation and Maintenance
The USS Arizona Memorial is maintained by the National Park Service, which is responsible for preserving the site and ensuring its integrity for future generations. The memorial is protected by a series of laws and regulations, including the Historic Sites Act of 1935, which designated the site as a national historic landmark. The National Park Service works closely with the U.S. Navy and other stakeholders to ensure that the memorial is preserved and respected, and that the remains of the USS Arizona and its crew are treated with dignity and respect.
In recent years, the National Park Service has undertaken a series of preservation projects to protect the memorial and the surrounding environment. These projects have included repairs to the memorial's structure, as well as efforts to mitigate the effects of oil leakage from the USS Arizona's fuel tanks. The National Park Service has also implemented a series of measures to reduce the impact of tourism on the site, including limiting the number of visitors and implementing a system of boat tours to reduce the wear and tear on the memorial.
- Preservation of the memorial's structure
- Mitigation of oil leakage from the USS Arizona's fuel tanks
- Implementation of measures to reduce the impact of tourism
What is the best way to visit the USS Arizona Memorial?
+The best way to visit the USS Arizona Memorial is to take a boat tour from the USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center. The visitor center offers a museum, a theater, and a bookstore, as well as a dock where visitors can board the ferry to the memorial.
How long does it take to visit the USS Arizona Memorial?
+The length of time it takes to visit the USS Arizona Memorial varies depending on the individual visitor. However, most visitors spend around 1-2 hours at the memorial, including the time it takes to travel to and from the site.
