Remembering the USS Arizona (BB-39): A Tragic Symbol of Pearl Harbor

The USS Arizona (BB-39) was one of the most famous battleships of the United States Navy during the first half of the 20th century. Commissioned in 1916, she served during World War I and was a major part of the American fleet in the Pacific at the start of World War II. Unfortunately, the Arizona is most well-known for her tragic role in the attack on Pearl Harbor, which led to her sinking and the deaths of over 1,000 sailors and Marines.

The Arizona was the lead ship of her class, which also included the USS Pennsylvania and the USS Tennessee. These ships were the last of the "standard type" battleships to be commissioned by the US Navy, with their design dating back to the early 1900s. At the time of her commissioning, the Arizona was the most powerful ship in the US fleet, with 12 14-inch guns, a displacement of over 31,000 tons, and a top speed of 21 knots.

During World War I, the Arizona served as part of the US fleet in the Atlantic, escorting convoys and conducting training exercises. After the war, she was refitted and modernized, with improvements to her propulsion system and the addition of anti-aircraft guns. In the late 1930s, as tensions rose between the US and Japan, the Arizona was transferred to Pearl Harbor, where she became the flagship of Battleship Division One.

On December 7, 1941, the Japanese launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, aiming to destroy the American Pacific fleet and prevent the US from intervening in the war in the Pacific. The Arizona was hit by several bombs, which caused catastrophic explosions in her forward magazine and boiler rooms. The ship quickly sank, taking over 1,100 of her crew with her.

The sinking of the Arizona became a symbol of the attack on Pearl Harbor and the US entry into World War II. Today, the ship is still lying at the bottom of Pearl Harbor, and a memorial has been built above her. The USS Arizona Memorial is a somber reminder of the sacrifice of the sailors and Marines who served aboard the ship, as well as a reminder of the importance of remembering the lessons of history.

In addition to its historical significance, the Arizona is also an engineering marvel. The ship's design and construction required a massive amount of resources and expertise, and its power and capabilities were unrivaled at the time of its commissioning. Today, the ship remains a testament to the skill and dedication of the men and women who built and operated it, as well as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who served aboard her.