Pearl Harbor Tours
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by: S Moon
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Pearl Harbor Tours
On the morning of Sunday, December 7, 1941, Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor in surprise, which had pushed the United States into World War II. Hence, the Japanese had awakened the Giant that had marked the history forever.
Japanese losses were minimal, at 29 aircraft and five midget submarines, with 65 servicemen killed or wounded. However, two aerial attack waves, totaling 353 aircraft, launched from six Japanese aircraft carriers had wrecked two U.S. Navy battleships, one minelayer, and two destroyers beyond repair, and destroyed 188 aircraft. The personnel losses were 2,388 killed and 1,178 wounded. Damaged warships included three cruisers, a destroyer, and six battleships. Roosevelt called December 7, 1941 “... a date which will live in infamy.”
One of the battleships, USS Arizona, had sunk with most of the ship’s 1,177 crewmen on board, which incurred the biggest loss. Henceforth, the USS Arizona Battleship has become the shrine to honor and commemorate all American servicemen killed on December 7, 1941, particularly Arizona’s crew, many of whom lost their lives during the Japanese attack on the United States Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
Today, with the memorial built over the USS Arizona Battleship, it is one of the most visited.
The Arizona Memorial is open daily from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm. interpretive programs, including a 23-minute documentary film about the attack and the boat trip to the USS Arizona Memorial begins at 8:00 am (7:45 am in the summer). The last program each day begins at 3:00 pm. The Memorial is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day.
Arrive Early. Daily Memorial Tour tickets are available free on a first-come, first-serve basis. Each person must obtain their own ticket. All available tickets are normally gone by 11:00 am during the peak season and sometimes even earlier when it gets busier.
Allow 75 minutes for the tour. This does not include the time waiting for your tour to begin.
Recommended Dress Code: Shirt and footwear are required. Swimwear is not allowed.
Bag, Camera, Stroller, and Baby Carrier Restrictions
Due to increased security measures, NO purses, backpacks, fanny packs, diaper bags, camera bags, luggage, or other items which offer concealment are allowed in the Visitor Center or on the Memorial. (Please note: For safety reasons, strollers and framed baby carriers are NOT permitted on the Memorial Tour.) Valuables should not be stored in vehicles. Cargo pants pockets may at times be considered as a bag.
Driving Direction
You may visit by private vehicle (there are ample free parking) or public transportation.
Visitors are strongly encouraged either to leave prohibited items at their lodging or lock them in their car trunk before arriving at the Pearl Harbor. Theft of items from rental vehicles are common in Hawaii. From Waikiki: Take H-1 West. Continue past the Honolulu Airport. Take the Stadium/Arizona memorial Exit 15A. Proceed to your far left lane and make a left turn at the fourth traffic light. Follow the green and white visitor signs to the Memorial.
About the Author
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