Historian's Report
by Nancy A. Nease, Historian
It was a beautiful picture postcard Sunday morning. The battleship bands were preparing for morning colors while sailors on the mess deck were having their breakfast; many were planning their day of liberty. At 7:55am on December 7, 1941, that peaceful Sunday morning was shattered as the Japanese navy launched their surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. Men scrambled for their battle stations, most onboard the USS Arizona did not make it. Within minutes, an explosion rocked the mighty battleship. For most of the men, escape from the inferno was impossible. Only 335 men survived, 1,177 were lost. Of those 1,177 over 900 remain forever entombed on their beloved ship. Today there are only 18 known survivors remaining; 17 Navy and 1 Marine.
