The loss of life on the USS Arizona was catastrophic, with over 1,100 sailors and Marines losing their lives.

The ship was completely destroyed, and only a handful of crew members managed to escape the inferno.

The impact of the bombing was felt not only in the United States but also around the world, as the attack on Pearl Harbor was the event that led to the United States' entry into the Second World War.

The Arizona was built at the New York Navy Yard with a length of 608 feet and a beam of 97 feet.

It displaced approximately 32,000 tons and could reach a top speed of 21 knots, thanks to its four propellers powered by steam turbines and 12 Babcock & Wilcox boilers.

The ship was heavily armored, with belt armor ranging from 8 to 13.5 inches thick and deck armor up to 3 inches thick.

This extensive armoring was intended to protect against shellfire and torpedoes, a testament to the ship's intended role in direct naval engagements.

The USS Arizona, like its sister ship the USS Pennsylvania, was built as part of the U.S. Navy's plan to establish a dominant battleship force capable of projecting power globally.

Its design represented the shift from earlier battleships focused on coastal defense to those capable of blue-water operations, emphasizing firepower, speed, and endurance.

The ship's large-caliber guns and extensive armor made it ideal for the "fleet-in-being" strategy, which aimed to deter adversaries by maintaining a potent force-in-being that could engage in decisive battles if necessary.

Throughout the 1930s, the Arizona was actively involved in fleet exercises and training maneuvers, preparing for potential conflicts in the Pacific.

It was during this time that the ship's role shifted from being a frontline battleship to a flagship and symbol of U.S. naval power in the Pacific.

Its commanders during this period, including Captain (later Rear Admiral) Isaac C. Kidd, who would later perish on the ship during the attack on Pearl Harbor, were tasked with maintaining the ship's readiness and integrating new technologies and tactics.

The mood aboard the Arizona was relatively relaxed, as it was a Saturday, and many sailors were looking forward to shore leave and other recreational activities.

Liberty parties were organized for those permitted to go ashore, providing them an opportunity to enjoy the amenities and entertainment available in Honolulu and nearby areas.

Those who remained on the ship continued their routine work, including preparing meals, performing watch duties, and engaging in evening social activities.

The initial attack on Pearl Harbor was devastating. Japanese aircraft from six aircraft carriers, including the Kaga and Hiryu, swarmed over the Pacific Fleet, targeting both ships and shore installations.

These planes had meticulously planned their approach, aiming to destroy as many American warships as possible.

The attack unfolded with ruthless precision, and the Arizona was among the first targets. At around 08:00, the ship’s crew scrambled to general quarters, but the ship's defenses had little time to respond to the onslaught.

One report described the blast as so intense that it extinguished fires on the nearby repair ship, USS Vestal, which was moored alongside the Arizona at the time.

The fires sparked by the explosion raged for two days, with black smoke billowing into the sky. The ship’s interior was completely destroyed, and much of its superstructure was obliterated.

The scale of the destruction was immense, leaving only the ship’s aft section somewhat intact.

The ship itself was declared a total loss. Unlike other battleships that were damaged during the attack and later salvaged for repair, the Arizona was too severely damaged to be restored. 

The Arizona became more than just a battleship; it became a symbol of the sacrifices made by the United States during the Second World War.

The destruction of the Arizona and the loss of so many lives galvanized the American public and government, leading to the U.S. declaration of war against Japan on December 8, 1941.

The night before the attack, NBU 22 had attended the latest round of the annual "Battle of Music" competition, a contest among the bands of various US Navy ships stationed at Pearl Harbor.

Although they had already qualified for the finals scheduled for the 20th December 1941, NBU 22 did not perform that night. Following the devastating assault, the band was posthumously declared the winner of that year's competition.

In honor of their sacrifice, the award was renamed the USS Arizona Band Trophy, ensuring that their memory and contributions would be commemorated in perpetuity.

This tragic loss underscored the deep personal and national sacrifices of the attack, as even those whose roles were to uplift spirits through music were not spared from the devastation.

Posthumous Medals of Honor were also awarded to two high-ranking officers who perished aboard the Arizona. Captain Franklin Van Valkenburgh was awarded for his gallant efforts to save the ship.

Despite the overwhelming attack, Van Valkenburgh reached the bridge and was attempting to direct the defense of the Arizona when a bomb detonated in the forward magazine, destroying the ship.

Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd, who was aboard the Arizona as the commander of Battleship Division One, was also posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

He became the first flag officer to be killed in the Pacific War and was recognized for his bravery as he attempted to rally the ship’s defenses before the final explosion.

He threw a lifeline to the trapped sailors, allowing them to climb hand over hand across the rope to safety.

All six made it to the Vestal, though one tragically died from his injuries a few weeks later.

The remaining five survived, thanks to George’s quick thinking and bravery.

Though his actions were heroic, Joe George passed away in 1996 without formal recognition for his efforts.

However, in 2017, after a long campaign led by the survivors and their families, the United States Navy posthumously awarded him the Bronze Star with a “V” device for valor, acknowledging his extraordinary courage during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

These turrets were repurposed and installed as part of the United States Army Coast Artillery Corps' defensive positions on the Mokapu Peninsula, located at what is now Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

The reinstalled turrets were named Batteries Arizona and Pennsylvania, tasked with defending Kaneohe Bay.

However, while Battery Pennsylvania did fire its guns for the first and last time during a training exercise on V-J Day in August 1945, Battery Arizona was never completed.

Meanwhile, both of the forward turrets remained in place on the wreck.

The guns from Turret II were salvaged, straightened, and relined before being installed on the USS Nevada in 1944.

These guns later played a significant role in the U.S. naval bombardments of Okinawa and Iwo Jima during the Pacific campaign.

Thus, while the Arizona herself could not be salvaged, parts of her legacy continued to serve throughout the Second World War.

Today, the salvaged items from the USS Arizona are treated as sacred relics, symbolizing the ship’s legacy and the sacrifice of its crew.

Parts of the ship, including its gun turrets, are displayed at various memorials and museums, most notably the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, which serves as a final resting place for over 900 sailors still entombed in the wreck.

This memorial is divided into three sections. The assembly room is the first, followed by the main room, which is used for honour and ceremony.

The latter is a prayer room where the names of the fallen heroes are displayed.

Their names were carved into a marble wall. Alfred Preis, an Austrian-born architect, designed the USS Arizona Memorial. 

It is visited by over two million people each year. It is only accessible by boat and straddles the sunken hull of the battleship without touching it.

Visitors to the USS Arizona Memorial can pay their respects to the fallen sailors by visiting the site and reading the names of the crew members who lost their lives.

The memorial is a place of reflection and serves as a symbol of the sacrifices made by American servicemen and women in defence of their country.

The bonds formed by the crewmembers of the Arizona have lasted long after the ship was lost on 7^th December 1941.

Since 1982, the US Navy has allowed survivors of the USS Arizona to be buried in the wreckage of their ship.

Following a full military funeral at the Arizona memorial, the cremated remains are placed in an urn before being deposited beneath one of the Arizona's gun turrets by divers.

Over 30 Arizona crewmen who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor have chosen the ship as their final resting place.

Crew members who served on the ship prior to the attack may have their ashes scattered above the wreck site, as may those who served on other vessels stationed at Pearl Harbor on 7^th December 1941.