THE USS OKLAHOMA MEMORIAL AT PEARL HARBOR
The attack on Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941 by the Empire of Japan forever changed the United States.
The surprise attack and enormous loss of life galvanized and united the country to
“Remember Pearl Harbor”
as a rallying cry. Among the many ships in Pearl Harbor that day were nine battleships
(Arizona, California, Maryland, Oklahoma, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia)
where many sailors and marines fought bravely for their very lives.
Frances Flaherrty
USS Oklahoma
Killed in action Dec.7, 1941
From the horrific damage done that day only three battleships did not return to action,
the USS Arizona where 1,177 men to this day lie entombed and for which a memorial does exist,
the USS Utah where 59 men lie entombed and for which a memorial does exist
and the USS Oklahoma where 429 men lost their lives (second highest) and for which a memorial does not exist.
The eight other battleships in the harbor that day all have memorials in some form.
Dennis Hiskett
USS Oklahoma
Killed in action Dec. 7, 1941
This committee for a USS Oklahoma Memorial at Pearl Harbor that is helping me intends to change the fact that there is no memorial to honor the 429 marines and sailors that in the immortal words of President Abraham Lincoln
“gave their last full measure of devotion”.
The committee has selected an appropriate site on Ford Island near where the
USS Oklahoma capsized on December 7, 1941
Now with hundreds involved in this effort we have had the Groundbreaking Ceremony
last Dec. 7, 2006 on Ford Island.
On that site a lasting and fitting memorial will be designed, constructed and dedicated Lord willing by
December 7, 2007.
The committee’s budget is a million dollars for a memorial which would also provide perpetual maintenance funds under the direction of the National Park Service.
People seem to forget
It is the VETERAN, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the VETERAN, not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.
Harry Holmes
USS Oklahoma
Killed in action Dec. 7, 1941
It is the VETERAN, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.
OLIVER BURGER
USS Oklahoma
Killed in action 12/7/41
It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
WILLIAM CAMPBELL
USS Oklahoma
Killed in action 12/7/41
It is the VETERAN, not the politician, Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the VETERAN, who salutes the Flag, It is the veteran, who serves under the Flag,
LEO BLITZ
USS Oklahoma
Killed in action 12/7/41
And, it's the veteran who is buried under the flag.
Paul Raymond
USS Oklahoma
Wright Killed in action Dec. 7, 1941
ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.
"It is the Marines, Navy, Army, and the Air Force of today
and tomorrow, who protect and preserve this precious legacy for all of us,
and our posterity.
May God watch over them, as they stand watch for us."