CHAPTER 4 - THE USS ARIZONA:
AMERICANS RALLY
|
Although the surprise attack shocked and infuriated Americans, the sinking of BB-39, the USS Arizona, galvanized the hatred Americans directed toward Japan. Nearly 50% of all Pearl Harbor deaths occurred on that distinguished ship. What caused the Arizona to sustain such horrific losses? Most of the crew was on board when she was struck. While oil gushed from the Oklahoma and West Virginia, a Japanese bomb struck Arizona's stern twelve minutes after the attack began. (The picture at the top of this link was taken by a Japanese pilot. The picture at the bottom was taken three days later by an American.) Minutes later, her forward magazine exploded. More than 900 of her crew were killed at that moment. BB-39 was also mortally wounded. Within minutes after the Arizona exploded, she was totally obscured by smoke. As she sank, she established a record not broken to this day. Never in the history of the United States Navy had a ship taken so many men down with her. |
