USS ARIZONA

About the USS Arizona

The USS Arizona: A ship’s Lasting Echo in World War II

The USS Arizona (BB-39), an American Navy Pennsylvania-class battleship from World War II, stands as both a revered and sorrowful symbol in naval history. The Arizona was commissioned in 1916 to represent the apex of America’s dreadnought naval capabilities and was built to deliver unmatched strength and firepower while representing prewar battleship supremacy objectives. The USS Arizona (BB-39) ended its active wartime service after its catastrophic destruction during Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 which prevented it from participating in the Pacific Theater’s critical engagements. Arizona stood out due to its cutting-edge design during its era along with its catastrophic destruction at the start of the war and its evolution into a lasting emblem of sacrifice and American determination. The piece examines the short combat history of the USS Arizona during World War II while discussing its impact on major wartime battles and analyzing the attributes that made its legacy important beyond its military engagements.

Origins and Design: A Super-Dreadnought’s Blueprint

The New York Navy Yard in Brooklyn began constructing Arizona during the naval arms race before World War I on March 31, 1914. Arizona entered service on October 17, 1916 after being launched on June 19, 1916 as the Pennsylvania-class second ship following Pennsylvania (BB-38). The Arizona displaced 31,400 standard tons (37,654 tons at full load) and extended 608 feet (185.3 meters) long while reaching a top speed of 21 knots (24.2 mph) through its four Parsons steam turbines and twelve oil-fired Babcock & Wilcox boilers which offered superior efficiency and range compared to coal-fired systems.

Its armament was formidable: The vessel contained twelve 14-inch (356 mm) guns arranged in four triple turrets which produced a 12,960 pound broadside over 20 miles while it carried twenty-two 5-inch (127 mm) guns and an updated anti-aircraft battery from the 1920s and 1930s. The vessel's protective layers included a 13.5-inch (343 mm) belt along with 18-inch (457 mm) turret faces and a 3-inch (76 mm) deck which provided strong defense against modern artillery impacts. The Arizona stood out in naval design due to its super-dreadnought classification that advanced beyond Nevada-class ships through triple turrets and oil propulsion systems yielding superior firepower and endurance. Despite its powerful design Arizona became dangerously exposed during WWII due to its absence of modern anti-torpedo defenses and minimal anti-aircraft enhancements.

Pre-War Service: A Quiet Giant

The Arizona fulfilled peacetime functions before World War II because the Navy focused on training operations and diplomatic missions between wars instead of preparing for combat. The ship patrolled the U.S. East Coast during World War I and escorted President Woodrow Wilson to the 1918 Versailles Peace Conference without engaging German forces. The Arizona received modern upgrades between 1929 and 1931 which included 5-inch/25-caliber anti-aircraft guns and improved fire-control systems and a widened beam to 106 feet (32.3 meters) through torpedo bulges but still represented an older design overshadowed by the newer Colorado and Iowa class battleships.

The veteran battleship Arizona belonged to the Pacific Fleet’s Battleship Division 1 and was stationed at Pearl Harbor by 1940 during preparations for a conflict she would not survive. Arizona held a unique position as a technological intermediary between old and new ship designs through its incorporation of dreadnought advancements despite its aging status and unremarkable combat career by the start of WWII.

Pearl Harbor: Arizona’s unfortunate End

Arizona entered World War II and suffered its most iconic wartime loss on December 7, 1941 during Japan’s Pearl Harbor attack. The Imperial Japanese Navy’s Kido Butai targeted the battleship Arizona which was moored next to the repair ship Vestal at Berth F-7 on Battleship Row. At 7: At 7:55 AM air raid sirens blared as Arizona's crew quickly moved to battle stations and manned anti-aircraft guns to fight against Nakajima B5N Kate torpedo bombers and Aichi D3A Val dive bombers.

The attack was relentless. Between 8: From 8:00 to 8:10 AM the Arizona ship endured several attacks. At least four bombs struck, but the fatal blow came at 8: At 8:06 AM a 1,760-pound armor-piercing bomb that had been converted from a 16-inch shell dropped from 10,000 feet by a Kate bomber penetrated the deck near Turret No. 2 on the USS Arizona. 2. When the bomb exploded in the forward magazine it caused over a million pounds of black powder and cordite to ignite. The explosion ripped Arizona apart by propelling its bow 20 feet above the water surface while creating a fireball that rose 500 feet high and could be seen from Oahu. The explosion claimed 1,177 lives from its crew of 1,512 on the spot, representing over half of all deaths at Pearl Harbor which totaled 2,403 casualties and led to many victims being burned and others trapped in flooded sections of the ship.

By 8: At 8:15 AM Arizona became a burning ruin as it settled in harbor mud with its structure burning and oil fires persisting for days. Arizona sustained complete destruction as its hull split open while magazines were consumed unlike Oklahoma which capsized and Nevada which tried to sortie. The tragic end of Arizona at Pearl Harbor resulted from its catastrophic destruction which made it the most lethal single-ship disaster in U.S. naval history and the rapid timeline of its destruction that took only 11 minutes to collapse.

Aftermath: A Battleship Lost to Combat

Arizona suffered damage that could not be repaired unlike Nevada, West Virginia and California which were repaired and participated in crucial battles such as Leyte Gulf. The ship's magazines were destroyed and hull shattered which led to its classification as unrecoverable for combat purposes. Between 1942 and 1943 salvage crews extracted the superstructure and guns from the battleship and its 14-inch turrets were later used for coastal defenses in Hawaii while the damaged hull stayed in place due to irreparable damage. On December 29, 1941, the USS Arizona was decommissioned and left submerged as a wreck from which oil seeped to the ocean’s surface for years after, earning the name "tears of the Arizona."

The sinking of Arizona resulted in its non-participation during major WWII battles at Midway, Guadalcanal, Leyte Gulf, and Iwo Jima. Although Arizona served only during Pearl Harbor the event of its sinking had widespread strategic and emotional impact throughout the rest of the war which affected future military operations.

Why Arizona Was Special

The special character of Arizona emerges from its innovative design history alongside its dramatic destruction and substantial symbolic presence. The ship stood apart because its design represented the pinnacle of technological innovation during its time. As part of the Pennsylvania-class super-dreadnoughts it featured triple turrets along with oil propulsion and reinforced armor systems which expanded upon the Nevada-class design and affected subsequent battleship designs including the Tennessee and Colorado classes. Even though it became outdated by 1941 this engineering work represented American industrial achievement while standing as the pinnacle of prewar naval architecture.

The scale of its destruction at Pearl Harbor was unmatched in comparison to all other events. The magazine explosion stands as one of the deadliest single attacks of the war since it claimed 1,177 sailors and represented almost half of Pearl Harbor's casualties while surpassing Oklahoma's loss of 429 lives. Photographic evidence and survivor testimony revealed battleships' susceptibility to aerial attacks which drove the Navy towards carrier development demonstrated by success at Midway and the Philippine Sea. The destruction of Arizona served as an important warning that led to a complete overhaul of naval strategy.

Arizona stood out as an emblem of both sacrifice and determination. Pearl Harbor’s sinking empowered Americans to unite behind the phrase “Remember Pearl Harbor” which became essential to their war mobilization. Arizona stayed in its original location when it became a national memorial in 1962 and continues to receive millions of visitors each year. Arizona's bell which was salvaged in 1944 now tolls at the University of Arizona while its sunken vessel designated as a National Historic Landmark functions as a tomb for the more than 900 crewmen who remain inside serving as a sacred site of remembrance. Arizona never engaged in major combat yet its loss sparked the determination that propelled American victories throughout the Pacific during World War II.

Legacy and Significance

Arizona’s contribution to WWII remains confined to Pearl Harbor but its indirect influence persisted across the Pacific Theater’s major battles. The sinking of Arizona drove the recovery of battleships Nevada, West Virginia, and California which fought in battles at Leyte Gulf and Iwo Jima while its loss strengthened carrier dominance proven essential at Midway and other battles. The wreck of Arizona stands as a poignant remnant of war after receiving its single battle star for its short service and its oil slicks serve as a somber reminder of December 7, 1941.

Arizona's significance stemmed from its transformation from a peaceful giant to a wartime sacrifice emblematic of America's abrupt entry into WWII. The war started explosively with Arizona’s short-lived existence while its surviving ships achieved great victories. The USS Arizona represents a narrative of superior design paired with heartrending loss while leaving a lasting impression as proof of both the human sacrifices and tactical changes which characterized WWII naval warfare.

The USS Arizona in Service

In the interwar era, the USS Arizona supported the Navy. She remained mainly in the Pacific, conducting training exercises and serving as a flagship for various fleet commands. Even so, the Arizona had several modifications to keep up with the pace of modern naval warfare. They included strengthening her anti-aircraft defences, fire protection and armor plating.

The Arizona also conducted numerous ceremonial and diplomatic duties on behalf of the US both domestically and internationally. Her presence at fleet reviews and overseas naval conferences spoke volumes about America’s commitment to having a resolute and capable navy.

7 December 1941: Pearl Harbor Attack

The future of the USS Arizona was sealed on 7 December 1941, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, with an atomic bomb. The Arizona, which lay at Battleship Row alongside other Pacific Fleet vessels, was a popular target for Japanese aircraft.

Around 8:06am, a Japanese bomber dropped an armor-piercing bomb on the Arizona’s forward deck, damaging the ammunition magazine. The ensuing explosion was horrific, smashing the ship and setting a huge flame on fire. In just a few minutes, the Arizona capsized, killing 1,177 marines and sailors. It was the largest number of deaths on any one ship at the time of the attack and nearly half of all U.S. deaths that day.

The sinking of the Arizona showed just how weak even the most powerful vessels were against modern aircraft warfare. It also mobilised the US public, providing a call to arms for the US’ entry into the Second World War. Memorize Pearl Harbor became a catchphrase for the will to overcome challenge and win.

The USS Arizona Memorial

Over the decades following the Second World War, the USS Arizona lay at the bottom of Pearl Harbor as a silent reminder of all those lost and those sacrificed. The USS Arizona Memorial, which stretched across the wreck of the sinking battleship, was dedicated in 1962. The memorial’s design by the architect Alfred Preis embodies both the destruction of the attack and the eventual peace and reconciliation that followed.

The memorial is a place of worship, and millions of people come here each year. It holds the memories of the 1,177 crewmembers killed and honors all the soldiers who died during the Second World War. Even the boat itself was a graveyard and oil still seeped out of the hull in the so-called "tears of the Arizona".

What Was so Special About the USS Arizona?

There are many reasons for the USS Arizona’s extraordinary position in US history:

Sacrifice: The Arizona’s destruction at Pearl Harbor and the sheer number of people who died on board make it a strong reminder of those who gave their lives in the Second World War.

Technological Wonder: When she was commissioned, the Arizona epitomised modern naval technology, showing the United States’ capacity to construct top-class warships.

Cultural Image: The Arizona’s life has been captured in books, movies, and documentaries, leaving her mark on generations of people.

Living Memorial: The USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor is more than just a historical monument, but a place of reflection and learning that draws the visitor into the larger context of the Second World War.

USS Arizona particulars

Brought to you by The Charles Jones Collection.