Interred inside the USS Arizona

Crew members who survived the Pearl Harbor attack have had the option of being interred inside the USS Arizona to be with their shipmates. The USS Arizona underwater interments involve cremation and a navy diver placing the ashes inside the USS Arizona battleship. On Board the USS Arizona Memorial, the service continues with  a committal service, interment, rifle salute, TAPS, flag presentation, and plaque presentation.

Visit the USS Arizona Memorial

Of the 334 survivors of the USS Arizona, nearly 40 have chosen to be interred. They join the 1,177 men who died on Arizona December 7th, 1941 as well as the other survivors who have their ashes inside the USS Arizona.

Where are Ashes Placed Inside the USS Arizona?

The Navy divers place the urns of the deceased in the well of barbette number four inside the USS Arizona  The ceremony is beautiful.

National Park Service diver Buster Stancil carries the ashes of retired Master Chief Glenn Harvey Lane following an internment ceremony at the USS Arizona Memorial. Lane served aboard USS Arizona during the Dec. 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and his ashes were buried with his fellow shipmates. September 12, 2012

Pearl Harbor Survivors who did not serve on Arizona can have their ashes spread at Pearl Harbor, but cannot be interred inside the USS Arizona. The other ship still sunk at Pearl Harbor is the USS Utah. The survivors of Utah similarly have the option to be interred in their ship.