Some 1,177 enlisted personnel died on the USS Arizona when it was attacked on December 7, 1941, and the USS Arizona Memorial pays moving tribute to these individuals. The USS Arizona Memorial is built directly over the wreckage of the sunken battleship—it doesn’t actually touch the vessel—which to this day contains the remains of the vast majority of the fallen. The USS Arizona Memorial is only accessible by boat, but before or after one’s visit to the site an award-winning documentary may be viewed at the :15- or :45-minute mark of each hour.
USS Arizona Memorial History
On the morning of December 7, 1941, the Japanese Navy Air Service launched a surprise attack on the Naval Station Pearl Harbor, which was (and remains) the headquarters of the United States Navy’s Pacific Fleet. Hundreds of Japanese bombers launched from a half-dozen aircraft carriers attacked the base in waves. When all was said and done, hundreds of American planes had been destroyed, numerous ships sunk, and over 2,000 Americans were dead. The USS Arizona, a 600-foot-long battleship that had been in service for nearly 30 years, was one of the ship’s sunk during the attack. 1,177 crewmembers were killed when it sank to the ocean floor.
The USS Arizona Memorial was designed by the architect Alfred Preis, and it first opened to the public in 1962. This iconic memorial takes the form of a white bridge that seems to almost float above the wreckage of the USS Arizona. The memorial can accommodate roughly 200 visitors at a time.
What’s at the USS Arizona Memorial
The visitor experience here is described by the National Park Service as the USS Arizona Memorial Program, and this Memorial Program runs each day every 15 minutes between the hours of 8:00am and 3:30pm. When you arrive at the attraction, the first thing you’ll do is pick up your tickets. After you have your tickets, you should procure your audio guide from the appropriate kiosk. This self-guided audio tour will be an informative companion throughout the remainder of your visit.
The official National Park Service USS Arizona Memorial Program opens with an approximately 25-minute documentary film that tells the story of the terrible events of December 7, 1941. After the conclusion of the historical film, visitors will be led to a nearby boat shuttle operated by the United States Navy for the brief ride from the Visitor Center to the actual USS Arizona Memorial.
The USS Arizona Memorial is a nearly 200-foot-long structure that sits on the water above the sunken battleship. Once you enter the memorial, you can pass through a central assembly room that has large windows on the walls and ceilings, as well as a sizable opening on the floor through which visitors may view the remains of the vessel. At the other end of the memorial you’ll find the Shrine Room, which features a marble wall inscribed with the names of all those who perished here.
After you depart the USS Arizona Memorial and return to land via the Navy-helmed boat shuttle, you’ll have the chance to walk past several additional memorials and view two museum exhibits that provide more information about the events of that terrible day. This is when you’ll be able to once again make use of your self-guided audio tour.
Tips for Visiting the USS Arizona Memorial
*Absolutely no bags are allowed at the USS Arizona Memorial—and this includes even purses, camera bags, and bookbags. You’ll need to pay a small fee to store any bags in your possession before you board the boat shuttle to the memorial. You can do this on the grounds of the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, near the entrance to the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum.
*There are no restroom facilities located at the USS Arizona Memorial, so you will want to be sure and attend to those needs before joining up with your memorial program.
*While there are typically a number of standby tickets available for the USS Arizona Memorial throughout the course of each day, it’s highly recommended that to guarantee your access to the attraction you make reservations in advance. This can be done by visiting the official website of the National Park Service. Reservations are released every day at 3:00pm HST for two blocks: your choice of tickets for either the next day or eight weeks in advance.
*If for one reason or another you’re unable to book a spot on the USS Arizona Memorial Program, be advised that you are able to watch the opening documentary film without a ticket.
*Strollers aren’t permitted anywhere within the USS Arizona Memorial; likewise, no food or drink may be brought along. The only beverage you can have on your person here is water carried in a clear container.