Honolulu in Honolulu County, Hawaii — Hawaiian Island Archipelago (Pacific Ocean)
Bombers Over Battleship Row
USS Arizona Memorial
Finding the American aircraft carriers absent, the Japanese zeroed in on U.S. battleships. Seven of them were lined up beside the mooring blocks (quays) visible across the channel in front of you. It was here, on “Battleship Row” that Japanese bombs destroyed USS Arizona. Twenty other vessels were sunk or damaged.
As the Japanese planes winged back to their carrier, smoke from burning battleships darkened the sky here. The U.S. Pacific Fleet had suffered a serious blow, but not a fatal one. The American aircraft carriers, submarines, destroyers, and most of the cruisers escaped damage. The Navy’s shipyard, fuel storage tanks, submarine base, and communications facilities---all strategically important---remained untouched. (Inscription beside the photo in the lower center) In the foreground, USS Arizona burns on Battleship Row after being hit by as many as seven bombs. One 800-kilogram bomb ripped through the battleship’s upper decks and detonated a magazine, destroying the forward section of the vessel. The explosion blew men from decks of neighboring ships. Tragically, 1,177 of Arizona’s crew were killed.
Battleships USS West Virginia and USS Tennessee are visible behind Arizona.
(Inscription under the photo in the upper right)
The remarkable photo above, taken from a Japanese plane, shows Battleship Row under attack. Note the oil slicks and shock waves caused by torpedo hits. Canvas awnings on sterns and bows appear as white patches. The forward section of USS Arizona has not yet exploded.
Erected by National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior.
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II.
Location. 21° 22.027′ N, 157° 56.389′ W. Marker is in Honolulu, Hawaii, in Honolulu County. Memorial can be reached from Arizona Memorial Place. The marker is on the Ceremonial Lawn of the USS Arizona Memorial which is a unit of the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Honolulu HI 96818, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sunday Morning (here, next to this marker); Pearl Harbor Panorama-West (a few steps from this marker); Pearl Harbor Panorama-North (a few steps from this marker); Island of Oahu (a few steps from this marker); Fall and Rise of the Fleet (within shouting distance of this marker); USS Arizona Anchor (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Lone Sailor (about 300 feet away); United States Marine Corps (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Honolulu.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 6, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 677 times since then and 7 times this year. Last updated on June 25, 2023, by Jj Karwacki of Tha Maka, Kanchanaburi. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 6, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.