The Japanese Imperial Navy attacks against U.S. Naval Base Pearl Harbor began at approximately 7:48 a.m. Hawaiian Standard Time on December 7, 1941. It is a day that lives on as one of the most tragic attacks on United States soil, and the event that lead to America’s entry into World War II, in both European and Pacific theaters.
The United States’ involvement in World War II was profound, but perhaps nowhere was the war more impactful than in Hawaii, especially on Pearl Harbor. While there are still countless naval ships and submarines found throughout the United States, the last remaining battleship in America can be found right here in Hawaii, floating off the coast of Ford Island. The USS Missouri was the last battleship commissioned by the United States Navy, is a stunning piece of military history, and is definitely worthy of a visit.
The “Mighty Mo,” as it is affectionately referred to, the USS Missouri is an awe-inspiring behemoth of a ship. The ship weighs more than 58,000 tons and measures in at approximately 900 feet from bow to stern, 100 feet wide, and more than 200 feet tall. Each link of the 1,200-foot long chain weighs more than 100 pounds.
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She was a true force to be reckoned with during her heyday, and now stands as a silent guard over Pearl Harbor. Proudly docked in Pearl Harbor, the USS Battleship Missouri resides near the USS Arizona Memorial, the pair marking both the beginning and end of the United States’ involvement in the second World War.
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Because the ship was ordered in 1940 and commissioned in 1944, it was not part of the fleet damaged during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and instead played a pivotal role in World War II.
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This mighty battleship saw conflict in WWII at the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and the Korean War from 1950 to 1953 before being decommissioned in 1955 into the United States Naval reserve fleets. Nearly thirty years later, in 1984, it was reactivated and modernized to provide fire support during Operation Desert Storm.
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During its illustrious, 50-year career spanning three wars and three generations of American sailors, the USS Missouri received a total of 11 battle stars for its service. However, it is perhaps most well-known as the site of the surrender of the Empire of Japan, which ended World War II.
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Today, the USS Missouri serves as a floating museum off the coast of Pearl Harbor’s Ford Island, and is an absolute must-visit for anyone who loves military history - or just huge ships. The floating museum opened in January 1999, is operated by the USS Missouri Memorial Association, Inc., and is now one of the most popular tourist attractions on Oahu.
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Guests are encouraged to explore the ship at their own leisure, following in the footsteps of General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers, from the Missouri’s massive, 16-inch, 50-calibers guns and the captain’s chair to the crew’s quarters and mess hall.
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Fun fact: each of the Missouri’s 16-inch guns is 65-feet long, weighs 116 tons, and can accurately fire a 2,700 pound shell 23 miles in just 50 seconds.
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Narrated tours are available in multiple languages, including Japanese, Spanish, Chinese and Korean, though nothing beats a guided tour of the ship accompanied by a trained docent - or maybe just a bunch of enthusiastic members of the United States Navy (okay… maybe that was just my experience since I just so happen to be married to a U.S. sailor.)
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For more information about visiting the Mighty Mo, check out their website.
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Jennifer Boyer/Flickr
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Stuart Seeger/Flickr
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Do you enjoy learning about Pearl Harbor and the islands’ World War II history? You’ll want to check out this rare footage of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and plan a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial.
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