Lying beneath the surface of the calm waters of Pearl Harbor, just outside downtown Honolulu, are the remains of the USS Arizona, and the more than 1,000 members of her crew who lost their lives when she sank during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

A simple and stark white Memorial rises out of the water above the sunken ship, to commemorate not just the Arizona sailors, but also all of the civilians, soldiers, and sailors who were killed on that "date which will live in infamy." Parts of the ship can be seen from the memorial, as well as oil slicks from the oil that still leaks from the ship more than 65 years later. The interior of the Memorial displays the names of all the Arizona sailors who perished. With these names are some newer names as well—the crew members who survived the Pearl Harbor attack, yet have chosen to be buried with their shipmates.

—Laura Connors, NPCA

If You Go

In order to accommodate the many visitors who wish to visit the Memorial, there are fairly regimented procedures for visiting the site. Upon arrival at the Visitors' Center, visitors are issued a free, timed ticket.  (Wait times, particularly in summer, can be several hours, so arriving early is best.) At regular intervals, groups are called for their tour, which consists of a wonderfully produced and informative documentary film, and the short boat trip to the Memorial and back.

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