The USS Arizona (BB-39) was a Pennsylvania-class battleship built for and by the US Navy in the mid-1910s. She was named for the 48th state, which had, at the time, recently been admitted into the Union. Over 1,000 officers and crewmen lost their lives when Arizona sank during the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, and those who survived were given an opportunity to be reunited with their fallen comrades after their own deaths, in a touching tribute to their service.
Arizona was the second and last of the Pennsylvania class of “super-dreadnought” battleships. While commissioned in 1916, she remained stateside during the First World War. Besides a comprehensive modernization from 1929–31, the vessel was regularly used for training exercises during the interwar period, including annual “Fleet Problem” exercises. When an earthquake hit Long Long Beach, California, in 1933, Arizona’s crew provided aid to the survivors.
In 1940, the battleship and the rest of the Pacific Fleet were transferred from California to Pearl Harbor, to serve as deterrents to Japanese imperialism. During the deadly attack on Pearl Harbor on the morning of December 7, 1941, Arizona was bombed. She exploded and sank, taking the lives of 1,177 officers and crewmen with her.
Unlike many of the other ships that sank or were damaged that day, Arizona couldn’t be fully salvaged. That being said, the Navy did remove parts of the vessel for reuse.
The wreck still lies at the bottom of Pearl Harbor. The USS Arizona Memorial, dedicated on May 30, 1962, was erected to honor all those who died during the Japanese attack. It straddles the ship’s hull. Few know about this, but, after hours, something truly profound used to happen at the memorial. Of those who survived the attacks, many went on to continue to serve, before leading civilian lives.
When they passed, they were given the option to return to the shipmates who perished back in 1941. The process for doing so was powerful and wholly unexpected.
Following cremation, their ashes were put into a water-tight urn. Once the last visitor had left for the night, family members and an honor guard arrived at the memorial for a ceremony to celebrate their life and service. While “Taps” played, the urn was given to a group of divers, who swam to the bottom of Arizona‘s wreck and placed the urn in an open spot at the #4 gun turret.
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It was a truly touching tribute to those who served in defense of the United States. Sadly, the last Arizona survivor, Lou Conter, passed away on April 1, 2024, at the age of 102.