USS Arizona (BB-39) Facts for Kids

The USS Arizona in 1931

The USS Arizona burning at Pearl Harbor in 1941

The USS Arizona Memorial

The USS Arizona (BB-39) was a large American warship called a battleship. It was part of the Pennsylvania class of battleships. Building the ship began in 1913, and it was officially ready for service in 1916. The USS Arizona took part in World War I.

This ship is most famous for being sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. This attack happened on December 7, 1941. It was a very important event because it led to the United States joining World War II. Today, the sunken ship still rests at the bottom of the harbor. It is now a special memorial site to remember all the people who lost their lives that day.

The USS Arizona: A Famous Battleship
Other Ships Named Arizona
Images for kids
See also

The USS Arizona: A Famous Battleship

The USS Arizona was a powerful battleship built for the United States Navy. It was designed to be strong and carry many large guns.

Building and Launching the Ship

Work on the USS Arizona started in 1913. It was built at the New York Naval Shipyard. After three years of construction, the ship was finished. It was then "commissioned" in 1916. This means it was officially put into service for the Navy.

The USS Arizona in World War I

Even though it was built during World War I, the USS Arizona did not see much fighting. It mostly stayed in American waters. The ship helped train sailors and protect the coast. It was a part of the strong American fleet.

Modernizing the Battleship

In the 1930s, the USS Arizona got a major upgrade. It was sent to a shipyard to be modernized. This included making its armor stronger and improving its guns. These changes made the ship even more powerful and ready for future missions.

The Attack on Pearl Harbor

On December 7, 1941, the USS Arizona was docked at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. This was a major naval base for the United States. Early that morning, Japan launched a surprise attack. Japanese planes bombed many American ships.

During the attack, a bomb hit the USS Arizona. It caused a huge explosion in the ship's ammunition storage. The ship quickly sank, taking many sailors with it. This tragic event was a key reason why the United States entered World War II.

The USS Arizona Memorial

Today, the USS Arizona remains at the bottom of Pearl Harbor. It is a protected site and a national memorial. A special structure was built over the sunken ship. Visitors can come to honor the brave sailors who died there. Oil still slowly leaks from the ship, sometimes called "black tears." This reminds everyone of the ship's sacrifice.

Other Ships Named Arizona

The USS Arizona (BB-39) was not the only ship named Arizona in the U.S. Navy. Two other ships had this name before it. Our USS Arizona was the only one named after Arizona became a U.S. state.

The first ship named Arizona was built in 1858. It was made of iron and served during the American Civil War. This ship was destroyed by fire in 1865.
The second USS Arizona was a large ship called a frigate. It was built in 1865 and first named USS Neshamny. It was renamed twice. It was called USS Arizona for only a short time in 1869 before its name was changed again to USS Nevada. The Navy stopped using this ship in 1874.

Images for kids

Arizona on the East River, New York City (1916)
Arizona at the New York City naval review, leading ten dreadnoughts that paraded past Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels
Arizona transits the Panama Canal in 1921
Arizona with ship's crew (1924)
Arizona being modernized in Norfolk, June 1930
Arizona after her modernization during the 1930s
Arizona in 1931 after her modernization
The visible superstructure of Arizona after her sinking
Aerial view of the USS Arizona Memorial, showing the wreck and oil seepage from the ship's bunkers