Arizona file photo [1119]

Arizona

CountryUnited States
Ship ClassPennsylvania-class Battleship
Hull NumberBB-39
BuilderNew York Navy Yard
Laid Down16 Mar 1914
Launched19 Jun 1915
Commissioned17 Oct 1916
Sunk7 Dec 1941
Displacement31,400 tons standard
Length608 feet
Beam106 feet
Draft29 feet
MachineryParson steam turbines, four screws
Speed21 knots
Range8,000nm at 12 knots
Crew1,385
Armament4x3x360mm 45-cal guns, 12x130mm 51-cal guns, 12x130mm 25-cal anti-aircraft guns
Armor360mm amidships belt, 200mm aft belt, 76mm deck, 230-460mm turrets, 410mm conning tower
Aircraft2 floatplanes

Contributor:

ww2dbaseUSS Arizona entered service in 1916. Her shakedown cruise took her to waters off Virginia and Rhode Island in the United States, as well as a trip to Guantánamo Bay Naval Base on the island of Cuba in the Caribbean Sea, and finally wrapped up with gunnery and torpedo defense exercises in Tangier Sound off Virginia. Upon completion of post-shakedown overhaul, she joined US Navy Battleship Division 8 at Norfolk, Virginia. During WW1, she remained in American territorial waters largely due to the scarcity of fuel oil in Britain, joining fellow battleships in British waters only after the war as she acted as one of the many escorting ships for US President Woodrow Wilson as he traveled to Paris, France for the Peace Conference. As she departed from Brest on the following day, she embarked 238 American servicemen who were returning home to the US. In mid-1919, she spent about a month in Izmir, Turkey to protect American interests as the local population bitterly resisted post-WW1 Greek occupation, returning to New York City, New York, United States on 30 Jun 1919. In early 1920, she went on a cruise, visiting Barbados and Panama. She was named the flagship of Battleship Division 7's Rear Admiral Edward Eberle on 23 Aug 1920. Between 19 and 20 Jan 1921, she passed through the Panama Canal for the first time. Between 9 Jul and 10 Aug 1921, she was the flagship of Vice Admiral John McDonald of the Battle Force of the Atlantic Fleet; McDonald had been her first commanding officer almost five years prior. Between 1921 and 1935, she served as the flagship of Battleship Divisions 2, 3, and 4, serving on both coasts of the United States. In 1929, she was modernized at Norfolk Navy Yard in Virginia, United States, receiving new masts, additional anti-aircraft weaponry, additional armor, new boilers, and new turbines; her appearance changed drastically as the result of this modernization. In 1931, she carried US President Herbert Hoover for a trip to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. On 17 Sep 1938, she served as Rear Admiral Chester Nimitz's flagship for Battleship Division 1; she served in the same capacity under the direction of Rear Admiral Russell Wilson, Nimitz's successor. In late 1940, at Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington, United States, she underwent overhaul and received additional anti-aircraft weapons. On 23 Jan 1941, she became the flagship of Rear Admiral Isaac Kidd, who succeeded Wilson. She returned to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, United States on 3 Feb 1941 and entered a period of training.

ww2dbaseAt about 0755 hours on 7 Dec 1941, while moored at Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, USS Arizona's crew sounded the air raid alarm as Japanese aircraft began their attack. At about 0800 hours, a B5N bomber from Japanese carrier Kaga hit the side of her No. 4 turret with a bomb, causing minor damage and starting a small fire. At 0806 hours, another B5N bomber, this one from carrier Hiryu, hit her between No. 1 and No. 2 turrets with a bomb, which led to the detonation of the nearby forward ammunition magazine. As she sank, 1,177 of the about 1,400 aboard perished, including Rear Admiral Kidd. Japanese Navy Petty Officer Noburu Kanai, bombardier for pilot Tadashi Kusumi, was generally regarded as the man who scored the fatal hit that detonated Arizona's magazine. Fire aboard the partially-sunken Arizona burned for two days before becoming fully extinguished. After the sinking, Rear Admiral Kidd, commanding officer Captain Franklin Van Valkenburgh, and damage control officer Lieutenant Commander Samuel Fuqua were awarded the Medal of Honor; Kidd and Valkenburgh were awarded posthumously.

ww2dbaseAfter her sinking, most of Arizona's exposed superstructure was salvaged. Her No. 3 and No. 4 turrets were removed and reinstalled at Battery Arizona and Battery Pennsylvania on the island of Oahu, Hawaii to serve as coastal defense guns. The guns from her No. 2 turret were mounted aboard battleship USS Nevada in the fall of 1944.

ww2dbaseToday USS Arizona is not considered a commissioned warship, although she remained under US Navy ownership, thus retaining the USS prefix. The US National Parks Service operates the USS Arizona Memorial and museum that overlooked the amidships section of her wreckage. She continues to leak about a quart of oil per day into Pearl Harbor.

ww2dbaseSources:
United States Navy Naval History & Heritage Command
Wikipedia

Last Major Revision: Dec 2010

Battleship Arizona (BB-39) Interactive Map

Photographs

Drawing of USS Arizona, circa 1915The launching of Arizona, Brooklyn Navy Yard, New York, United States, 19 Jun 1915Arizona in the East River, New York City, circa mid-1916. Photo 1 of 2Arizona at sea with other Atlantic Fleet battleships, circa 1917
See all 69 photographs of Battleship Arizona (BB-39)

Arizona Operational Timeline

4 Mar 1913 The United States Congress authorized the construction of battleship Arizona, named after a state that was created little over one year prior.
16 Mar 1914 The keel of battleship Arizona was laid down at Brooklyn Navy Yard, New York, United States.
19 Jun 1915 Battleship Arizona was launched from Brooklyn Navy Yard, New York, United States.
17 Oct 1916 USS Arizona was commissioned into service with Captain John McDonald in command.
16 Nov 1916 USS Arizona departed Brooklyn Navy Yard, New York, United States for shakedown training.
16 Dec 1916 USS Arizona arrived at Norfolk, Virginia, United States.
24 Dec 1916 USS Arizona arrived at Brooklyn Navy Yard, New York, United States for post-shakedown overhaul.
3 Apr 1917 USS Arizona completed post-shakedown overhaul and departed Brooklyn Navy Yard, New York, United States.
4 Apr 1917 USS Arizona arrived at Norfolk, Virginia, United States and joined US Navy Battleship Division 8.
18 Nov 1918 USS Arizona departed Hampton Roads, Virginia, United States.
30 Nov 1918 USS Arizona arrived at Portland, England, United Kingdom.
12 Dec 1918 USS Arizona departed Portland, England, United Kingdom.
13 Dec 1918 USS Arizona, among other ships, escorted the ship carrying US President Woodrow Wilson to Brest, France.
14 Dec 1918 USS Arizona departed Brest, France after embarking 238 American servicemen.
25 Dec 1918 USS Arizona arrived at New York City, New York, United States.
26 Dec 1918 USS Arizona participated in a fleet review in New York Harbor, New York, United States for US Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels.
22 Jan 1919 USS Arizona departed New York City, New York, United States.
23 Jan 1919 USS Arizona arrived at Norfolk, Virginia, United States.
4 Feb 1919 USS Arizona departed Norfolk, Virginia, United States.
8 Feb 1919 USS Arizona arrived at Guantánamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba.
17 Mar 1919 USS Arizona departed Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba.
22 Mar 1919 USS Arizona arrived at Trinidad.
25 Mar 1919 USS Arizona departed Trinidad.
29 Mar 1919 USS Arizona arrived at Guantánamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba.
9 Apr 1919 USS Arizona departed Guantánamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba.
12 Apr 1919 USS Arizona arrived at Hampton Roads, Virginia, United States, and then departed later in the same day for Brest, France.
21 Apr 1919 USS Arizona arrived at Brest, France.
3 May 1919 USS Arizona departed Brest, France.
11 May 1919 USS Arizona arrived at Izmir, Turkey, and the Marine detachment was disembarked to protect American interests in this Greek-occupied Turkish city; elements of the Turkish population resisted the Greek occupied with violence.
9 Jun 1919 USS Arizona departed Izmir, Turkey with United States consul-at-large Leland F. Morris on board.
10 Jun 1919 USS Arizona arrived at Istanbul, Turkey and disembarked United States consul-at-large Leland F. Morris on board.
15 Jun 1919 USS Arizona departed Istanbul, Turkey.
30 Jun 1919 USS Arizona arrived at New York City, New York, United States.
6 Jan 1920 USS Arizona departed New York Navy Yard, New York, United States for Guantánamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba.
1 May 1920 USS Arizona arrived at New York City, New York, United States.
17 May 1920 USS Arizona departed New York City, New York, United States.
25 Jun 1920 USS Arizona arrived at New York City, New York, United States.
17 Jul 1920 USS Arizona was given the designation BB-39.
23 Aug 1920 USS Arizona was named the flagship of US Navy Battleship Division 7.
4 Jan 1921 USS Arizona departed New York City, New York, United States.
19 Jan 1921 USS Arizona arrived at ColĂłn, Panama Canal Zone and entered the canal.
20 Jan 1921 USS Arizona passed through the Panama Canal and reached the Pacific Ocean.
22 Jan 1921 USS Arizona departed the Panama Canal Zone.
31 Jan 1921 USS Arizona arrived at Callao, Peru.
5 Feb 1921 USS Arizona departed Callao, Peru.
14 Feb 1921 USS Arizona arrived at Balboa, Colombia.
22 Feb 1921 USS Arizona passed through the Panama Canal.
26 Feb 1921 USS Arizona arrived at Guantánamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba.
24 Apr 1921 USS Arizona departed Guantánamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba.
29 Apr 1921 USS Arizona arrived at New York City, New York, United States.
15 Jun 1921 USS Arizona departed New York City, New York, United States.
1 Jul 1921 USS Arizona became the flagship of Vice Admiral John McDonald, commanding officer of Battle Force of the US Navy Atlantic Fleet; McDonald had been the battleship's first commanding officer almost five years prior.
9 Jul 1921 USS Arizona departed New York City, New York, United States.
22 Jul 1921 USS Arizona arrived at Callao, Peru to observe the Peruvian independence celebrations.
3 Aug 1921 USS Arizona departed Callao, Peru.
10 Aug 1921 USS Arizona became the flagship of Battleship Division 7's Rear Admiral Josiah McKean at Balboa, Colombia.
21 Aug 1921 USS Arizona arrived at San Diego, California, United States.
7 Feb 1929 USS Arizona passed through the Panama Canal.
4 May 1929 USS Arizona entered Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, United States for modernization.
15 Jul 1929 USS Arizona received a reduced commission status while she was undergoing modernization.
1 Mar 1931 USS Arizona completed her modernization and was placed in full commission status.
19 Mar 1931 USS Arizona embarked US President Herbert Hoover and departed Hampton Roads, Virginia, United States for a trip to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
29 Mar 1931 USS Arizona arrived at Hampton Roads, Virginia, United States and disembarked US President Herbert Hoover. She departed for Rockland, Maine, United States later on the same day to perform post-modernization trials.
1 Aug 1931 USS Arizona departed Norfolk, Virginia, United States for San Pedro, California, United States.
17 Sep 1938 USS Arizona became the flagship of Battleship Division 1's Rear Admiral Chester Nimitz.
27 May 1939 USS Arizona became the flagship of Battleship Division 1's Rear Admiral Russell Wilson.
30 Sep 1940 USS Arizona arrived at Long Beach, California, United States.
23 Jan 1941 USS Arizona became the flagship of Battleship Division 1's Rear Admiral Isaac Kidd.
3 Feb 1941 USS Arizona arrived at Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii.
11 Jun 1941 USS Arizona departed Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii for Long Beach, California, United States.
8 Jul 1941 USS Arizona arrived at Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii.
27 Oct 1941 USS Arizona entered the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard, US Territory of Hawaii for overhaul, during which she would receive a mounting atop her foremast for future installation of a search radar.
4 Dec 1941 USS Arizona conducted a night gunnery exercise.
5 Dec 1941 USS Arizona arrived at Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii and was moored at Ford Island.
6 Dec 1941 USS Arizona began receiving maintenance work by the crew of repair ship USS Vestal.
7 Dec 1941 USS Arizona received two bomb hits during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii. The second bomb hit led to the detonation of her forward ammunition magazine, which led to her sinking. 1,177 were killed, including Battleship Division 1 commanding officer Rear Admiral Isaac Kidd and her commanding officer Captain Franklin Van Valkenburgh.
29 Dec 1941 USS Arizona was placed in ordinary status as she was inoperable.
1 Dec 1942 USS Arizona was struck from the Naval Vessel Register.
7 Mar 1950 Commander-in-chief of the US Navy Pacific Fleet Admiral Arthur Radford instituted a regular flag raising at the site of USS Arizona's wreckage.
30 May 1962 The wreck of USS Arizona was made a national shrine.
15 Oct 1966 The wreck of USS Arizona was placed on the National Register of Historic Places of the United States.
5 May 1989 The wreck of USS Arizona was designated a National Historic Landmark of the United States.




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Visitor Submitted Comments

1. Anonymous says:
23 Jan 2012 12:08:33 PM

This was the best web site I found over the uss arizona
2. Richard says:
5 Apr 2016 02:15:46 PM

This would be great if they could put this in CD or DVD format for people to purchase and have in their home libraries.
3. Richard2 says:
21 Apr 2018 07:05:21 AM

Agreed.
The Register hit the wrekage?
4. hiro says:
3 Apr 2021 04:45:49 AM

please replace the word "scored" in the context of thousand deaths as follows simply the fact "the man who dropped the bomb that detonated" that tells the fact not a "point for victory". tnx.

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Search WW2DB
More on Arizona
Personnel:
» Kidd, Isaac
» Nimitz, Chester
» Rochefort, Joseph

Event(s) Participated:
» Attack on Pearl Harbor

Document(s):
» US Navy Report of Japanese Raid on Pearl Harbor, Enclosure E, USS Arizona

Battleship Arizona (BB-39) Photo Gallery
Drawing of USS Arizona, circa 1915
See all 69 photographs of Battleship Arizona (BB-39)


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