USS Arizona Memorial

The USS Arizona Memorial is a monument to the American service people who died during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour on 7 December 1941 and is located on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. This monument is part of the National Park Service’s World War Two Valour in the Pacific Monument.

USS Arizona Memorial history

The surprise attack on Pearl Harbour has become one of the most infamous in US history, particularly as it led to the US declaring war on Japan the very next day and thus entering World War Two.

Out of the 2,400 US military personnel and civilians killed in the attack on Pearl Harbour, almost 1,200 died on the USS Arizona – the greatest loss of life on a US warship. The majority of those who perished on the USS Arizona are laid to rest there; their names are also listed on one of the memorial’s walls.

USS Arizona Memorial today

Today, the USS Arizona Memorial is located over the remains of the original warship. Visitors are invited to commemorate the attack on Pearl Harbour by touring this and surrounding sites. The USS Arizona Memorial is itself only accessible via the official tour, which begins at the visitor centre (generally every 15 minutes). The tour starts with a short film, includes a Navy-operated shuttle boat-ride to the memorial and also has a number of exhibits about the Pearl Harbour Attack.

It is worth noting here that security is extremely high at the USS Arizona Memorial, to the extent that any form of bag is prohibited at the site.

Getting to the USS Arizona Memorial

Sat at the Waterfront Memorial, getting to the USS Arizona Memorial is easy via public transport as buses 20 and 42 stop just outside the park.