Description of the Memorial

The Evolution of Pearl Harbor National Memorial

Located within Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on the island of Oahu, Hawai'i, the Pearl Harbor National Memorial holds significant historical and strategic importance. Designated a national historic landmark in 1964, the area is renowned for its role in the US annexation of Hawai'i and as the site of the infamous Japanese attack on December 7, 1941, during World War II. As the most visited destination on Oahu, Pearl Harbor remains a place of reflection, education, and remembrance.

The National Park Service's Role at Pearl Harbor

The involvement of the National Park Service (NPS) at Pearl Harbor has evolved significantly over the years. Below is a timeline of key milestones in its development:

1958: Establishment of the USS Arizona Memorial

• President Dwight D. Eisenhower approved legislation to establish the USS Arizona Memorial to honor military personnel killed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
• The memorial was built over the hull of the sunken USS Arizona and was dedicated by the Pacific War Memorial Commission in 1962.
• Initially, the U.S. Navy was responsible for visitation and management.

1980: Transition to NPS Management

• Operations of the USS Arizona Memorial were transferred to the NPS through an agreement with the U.S. Navy.
• In the same year, the NPS and the Navy jointly constructed and opened the USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center.

December 5, 2008: Expansion of the NPS Mission

An Executive Order created the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, expanding the NPS’s responsibilities at Pearl Harbor. The NPS began managing:

• The USS Arizona Memorial and Visitor Center (now the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center)
• The USS Utah and USS Oklahoma Memorials (excluding the shipwrecks)
• Six Chief Petty Officer bungalows on Ford Island
• Mooring quays F6, F7, and F8 (parts of Battleship Row)

Additionally, the monument included sites in:

• The Aleutian Islands in Alaska
• Newell, California (Tule Lake Unit)

April 2019: Redesignation to Pearl Harbor National Memorial

• As part of the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, the monument was redesignated as the Pearl Harbor National Memorial.
• The memorial now encompasses:
  • The USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, and USS Utah Memorials
  • Six officer bungalows
  • Three mooring quays
  • The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center

The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is located adjacent to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

Honoring the Fallen

Central to the NPS mission at Pearl Harbor is memorializing those who perished during the December 7, 1941, attack. Each memorial serves as a tribute to the individuals who gave their lives on that day:

• USS Arizona Memorial: Honors the 1,177 crewmen who died. The hull of the ship remains a tomb for more than 900 sailors and serves as an artificial reef for marine life.
• USS Oklahoma Memorial: Pays tribute to the 429 sailors who lost their lives when the ship capsized.
• USS Utah Memorial: Commemorates the 58 dead, with the visible hull nearby serving as a reminder of the ship’s loss.

While the USS Arizona and USS Utah shipwrecks are not within the monument’s boundaries, they are designated national historic landmarks. The NPS, through an agreement with the U.S. Navy, is responsible for managing the archeological features associated with both shipwrecks.

The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center

The expanded and renovated Pearl Harbor Visitor Center offers a wealth of opportunities to explore the history of the Pacific War and the December 7, 1941, attack on Oahu. The complex features:

• Two exhibit galleries
• Outdoor exhibits
• An audio tour
• A theater
• A bookstore

Visitors can also access other nearby Pearl Harbor Historic Sites, including the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park, the Battleship Missouri Memorial, and the Pacific Aviation Museum, all offering further insights into the events and aftermath of World War II.