Pearl Harbor is more than a geographical location—it’s a living reminder of sacrifice, persistence, and the enduring obligation of remembrance. Two ships, the USS Arizona and the USS Missouri, are anchors in time for it. Together, they tell a story that spans from war’s surprise to peace’s signing, and today they remain the focal point of conservation efforts.
The USS Arizona lies quietly below, tomb and monument. The battleship was lost on December 7, 1941, when the attack that brought the United States into World War II claimed the lives of 1,177 sailors. More than 900 of them are still entombed within the hull. Over it, the 1962 memorial seems to float, never coming into contact with the wreck, providing a solemn spot for visitors to stand and reflect. Since 1980, the National Park Service has protected the memorial, preserving the history of the site with respect.
Preserving the Arizona is delicate work. The ship’s frame is fragile, and the landscape surrounding it is equally delicate. Two mooring platforms, built in 1942 to serve salvage operations, loomed over the wreck for over eighty years. They were never intended to be permanent, but have become a part of the appearance of the memorial.
In October 2023, when one partially fell over, it was a reminder that time waits for no man. Navy divers, collaborating with the Park Service’s Submerged Resources Center, documented the scene and evaluated the threat. The decision was made to remove the platforms in one piece—a feat that needed to be planned carefully so as not to damage the ship or the environment.
Commander Matthew Englehart, the Pacific Fleet diving and salvage officer at the Navy, stressed sealing the area and protecting the environment before starting the removal process.
The operation was the last chapter of the salvage mission that began in the aftermath of the attack, as Navy divers and contractors labored in hazardous, backbreaking conditions to recover what they could. Captain Lee Shannon, who oversaw the recent excavation, described the initial salvage as a dazzling display of skill and resolve. Today’s preservationists are driven by the same resolve and maintain the site as a place of reverence.
Just on the other side of the harbor, the USS Missouri recites the other portion of Pearl Harbor’s history. The “Mighty Mo,” as it was known, was on September 2, 1945, that Japan formally surrendered, and World War II came to an end. The decks of the Missouri have heard the call of battle and witnessed the silence with which peace was signed. After decades of duty—both in the Gulf War and the Korean War—the vessel was decommissioned in 1992 and turned into a museum, moored forever at Ford Island.
Walking through Missouri is walking through slices of history. Visitors can observe from the captain’s quarters—once visited by President Harry Truman and even Marilyn Monroe—to the engine rooms, which previously powered the battleship through the seas. This massive ship’s upkeep is a community effort, having a tiny maintenance staff and a battalion of volunteers.
Among them are Sailors who report to the Information Warfare Training Site Hawaii and volunteer their Thursdays to sanding, painting, and maintaining the ship’s many compartments. Cryptologic Technician Technical 1st Class Jacklyn McVay simply stated: Even some work leaves a lasting impression on a ship such as this.
Preservation is not all about painting and repairs. Preservation is about stewardship, respect, and obedience to the laws that protect historic sites. The Navy operates under policies like SECNAVINST 4000.35B and the National Historic Preservation Act, which require agencies to consider the impact of their actions and the public in the decision-making process. Each step, from conception to implementation, is accomplished with openness and consultation, ensuring the voices of stakeholders and society are included in the process.
The care of the Arizona and Missouri is an ongoing mission, blending technical skill, historical knowledge, and deep respect for the past. Every carefully measured dive at the Arizona’s resting place, every fresh coat of paint on the Missouri’s deck, is a tribute to those who served. These ships are more than steel and wood—they are vessels of memory, carrying the weight of sacrifice and the hope that such lessons will never be forgotten.