NPS photo The USS Arizona MemorialThe USS Arizona serves as the final resting place for over 900 of the ship's 1,177 crewmen who tragically lost their lives on December 7, 1941. The memorial, spanning 184 feet across the sunken battleship, is divided into three main sections:
The idea for the USS Arizona Memorial emerged during the war, with initial suggestions dating back to 1943. However, it wasn't until 1949, when the Territory of Hawaii established the Pacific War Memorial Commission, that concrete steps were taken to bring this tribute to life. The first official recognition of the Arizona came in 1950 when Admiral Arthur Radford, Commander in Chief of the Pacific (CINCPAC), ordered a flagpole to be erected over the sunken battleship. On the ninth anniversary of the attack, a commemorative plaque was placed at the base of this flagpole. In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower authorized the creation of the Memorial, reflecting the nation's commitment to honoring the fallen. The Memorial was completed in 1961, funded by both public contributions and private donations, and was officially dedicated in 1962. The Memorial’s design, crafted by architect Alfred Preis, carries profound symbolism. Preis explained that the structure "sags in the center but stands strong and vigorous at the ends, expressing initial defeat and ultimate victory.... The overall effect is one of serenity. Overtones of sadness have been omitted to permit the individual to contemplate his own personal responses... his innermost feelings." Although the USS Arizona is no longer in commission, the United States flag continues to fly from a flagpole attached to the ship’s severed mainmast, symbolizing its enduring legacy. The USS Arizona Memorial honors not only those who perished on the Arizona but all military personnel who lost their lives in the Pearl Harbor attack. |
Last updated: August 28, 2024