Pearl Harbor is so much more than a location on a map—it’s a living testament to bravery, sacrifice, and the abiding duty to remember. Two vessels, the USS Arizona and the USS Missouri, anchor that history. Combined, they reveal a story encompassing the outrage of war to the treaty of peace, and both are still at the center of ongoing preservation today.
The USS Arizona lies at rest under the water, both monument and tomb. The 1,177 men lost on December 7, 1941, during the attack that brought America into World War II, are buried in the ship, more than 900 still entombed within it. Over it, the 1962 memorial appears to float, never actually touching the wreck, providing tourists with a somber spot to stop and think. Since 1980, the National Park Service has managed its upkeep, keeping this site of great power available for generations to come.
Arizona is a care work to maintain. Its integrity is not strong, and the waters that surround it need to be handled carefully. Two mooring platforms, placed during salvage operations in 1942, loomed over the wreck for over eighty years. Never intended to stay, they had become the look of the memorial.
In October 2023, when one of these platforms partially failed, it was a reminder of the passage of time. Navy divers, in collaboration with the Park Service’s Submerged Resources Center, evaluated the situation and opted to extract the platforms in one piece—a complicated process that necessitated meticulous planning to ensure that neither the ship nor the environment was damaged.
Commander Matthew Englehart, Pacific Fleet diving and salvage officer, emphasized that the site had to be secured and the waters surrounding it protected before the removal could start.
This project follows a mission that started straight after the attack, when Navy divers and contractors worked under extreme conditions to recover what was salvageable. Captain Lee Shannon, who managed the current project, called the initial attempts a test of skill and will. Today’s preservationists have the same dedication, keeping the site a site of respect and contemplation.
On the other side of the harbor, the USS Missouri speaks to the other part of Pearl Harbor history. The “Mighty Mo” was where Japan officially surrendered on September 2, 1945, ending World War II. Its decks have known the sound of battle and the peace that follows. Following decades of duty, including combat in the Korean and Gulf Wars, the Missouri was decommissioned in 1992 and preserved as a museum at Ford Island.
Stepping on board the Missouri is stepping back into the past. Tourists can visit the captain’s quarters—visited by President Harry Truman and even Marilyn Monroe—and the engine rooms that propelled the ship across the oceans. Keeping this giant of a ship in the water is an uphill battle with the help of a few staff members and an army of volunteers.
They include Sailors from the Information Warfare Training Site Hawaii, who dedicate their Thursdays to sanding, painting, and cleaning the ship’s numerous compartments. Cryptologic Technician Technical 1st Class Jacklyn McVay notes that even the smallest maintenance activities leave a lasting impression on a ship with such a rich history.
Preservation is not just about painting and restoring—it’s about stewardship, respect, and adherence to laws that safeguard historic places. The Navy abides by guidelines such as SECNAVINST 4000.35B and the National Historic Preservation Act, making sure that all activities consider public interest and history. Every phase, from planning to completion, is done transparently, taking community and stakeholder voices into consideration.
The maintenance of Arizona and Missouri is a never-ending endeavor, fusing technical expertise, historical acumen, and profound respect for the past. Each meticulous dive down to the Arizona, each new coat of paint on the Missouri, is a testament to those who served. These vessels are not just steel and wood—they are ships of remembrance, carrying the weight of sacrifice and hope that their lessons will be passed on.