The USS Oklahoma was a Nevada-class battleship that served with distinction in the U.S. Navy from 1916 until that fateful morning of December 7, 1941. Many brave men lost their lives in the Pearl Harbor attack when the ship capsized after taking multiple torpedo hits. To honor these heroes, the USS Oklahoma Memorial was erected at Pearl Harbor in 2007. It’s of the newer sites related to this historic tragedy but one that holds profound meaning.
Despite its relatively recent construction, the USS Oklahoma Memorial preservation and restoration efforts remain constant to keep this tribute in pristine condition. If you’re curious how this sacred site receives such careful attention, let’s explore the dedicated work behind maintaining this memorial.
The USS Oklahoma was a battleship in the US Navy that served in World War I and was stationed at Pearl Harbor during the attack on December 7, 1941. Commissioned in 1916, this battleship measured 583 feet long and displaced over 27,000 tons when fully loaded. Her crew of more than 1,300 sailors called her home during peacetime and war.
During World War I, the USS Oklahoma patrolled the Atlantic and protected Allied convoys. Between the wars, she underwent modernization that enhanced her firepower and defenses. By December 1941, the Oklahoma had found her station at Pearl Harbor alongside other vessels of the Pacific Fleet.
On that Sunday morning, the Oklahoma became one of the primary targets during the surprise attack. She took five torpedo hits in rapid succession, causing her to capsize within minutes. The tragedy claimed 429 lives—men who had no chance to escape as their ship rolled over.
After the attack, the USS Oklahoma lay on her side in Pearl Harbor’s shallow waters for nearly two years. The massive salvage operation that followed became one of the most complex maritime recovery efforts in history.
Salvage crews used a system of winches, cables, and concrete patches to slowly right the capsized battleship. The process took months of dangerous underwater work. Divers had to cut through twisted metal and navigate dark, flooded compartments to prepare the ship for recovery.
By late 1943, crews had raised the Oklahoma enough to tow her to dry dock. However, the damage was too extensive for repair. The Navy declared the ship a total loss and sold her for scrap in 1946. During the towing operation to the scrapyard in San Francisco, the Oklahoma broke free from her tow lines and sank again—this time permanently—in deep Pacific waters.
The human cost proved even more devastating than the ship’s loss. Recovery teams worked for months to locate and identify the remains of sailors trapped inside. Many families waited years for word about their loved ones.
The USS Oklahoma Memorial is a powerful tribute to those who perished. Dedicated in 2007, the memorial consists of a series of white marble pillars arranged in the outline of the battleship’s hull. Each pillar bears the name of a sailor or Marine who died that day. While still quite young, the monument requires constant care and attention to preserve its integrity.
The memorial’s white marble requires constant attention, particularly due to Hawaii’s tropical climate. Corrosive salt air, intense UV rays, and frequent rainfall all threaten the stone’s integrity, so maintenance crews regularly clean the marble with specialized solutions that remove salt deposits without damaging the surface.
Beyond general cleaning, the memorial’s individual pillars constantly contend with these challenging weather conditions. Trade winds carry salt spray from the harbor directly onto their surfaces, and rain can pool in the carved lettering, potentially causing cracks if left untreated. To prevent this, maintenance teams inspect each pillar monthly for signs of erosion or structural weakness.
This attention to detail extends below the surface, as the memorial’s foundation also needs regular care. Over time, natural soil shifts and settling can affect the pillars’ alignment. To maintain the monument’s stability, engineers monitor its structural integrity through periodic surveys and precise measurements.
The memorial’s grounds receive meticulous care to maintain their dignity and beauty. For instance, groundskeepers trim grass and hedges weekly to remove any growth that might obstruct visitors’ views or access to the pillars.
Beyond routine trimming, the groundskeepers curate the plant selection for the grounds’ upkeep. They choose native Hawaiian species specifically because these plants can withstand salt spray and require minimal water, a choice that both honors the local environment and naturally reduces maintenance needs. To support these plants, irrigation systems deliver precise amounts of water. This prevents both drought stress and oversaturation.
The groundskeepers also meticulously maintain the paths surrounding the memorial. They conduct regular cleaning and repair of walkways, as high visitor traffic can wear down surfaces and create safety hazards. To keep paths safe and clear, the groundskeepers resurface them as needed and add slip-resistant treatments during rainy seasons.
Round-the-clock security is in place to protect the memorial by preventing vandalism and inappropriate behavior. To handle this responsibility, security personnel undergo specialized training to understand the site’s significance and to engage respectfully with visitors.
Alongside the physical presence of staff, surveillance cameras continuously monitor the area. The security regularly reviews footage, which allows them to identify maintenance needs and address incidents such as littering, unauthorized access, or disruptive behavior.
To further preserve the site, there are also access controls in place. This means that rules have been implemented to regulate when and how visitors can approach the memorial, such as limiting the number of people allowed at one time and restricting access to certain fragile areas. This helps reduce physical wear on the structure while maintaining a sense of reverence.
To preserve the ship’s legacy, the memorial incorporates several authentic elements, including recovered metal and artifacts. These irreplaceable items require specialized conservation techniques to prevent them from deteriorating.
For example, conservation specialists apply protective coatings to the metal components to prevent rust and corrosion. They also place smaller artifacts in climate-controlled display cases to protect them from humidity and temperature fluctuations. These specialists regularly examine the items, document any changes, and apply necessary treatments.
In addition to these hands-on efforts, they maintain historical documentation about the conservation process. This detailed record helps future caretakers understand what treatments have been applied and when maintenance might be needed.
The preservation and restoration efforts at the USS Oklahoma Memorial allow visitors to see the monument in its full glory and reflect on the sacrifices made on that fateful day. The brave men who lost their lives aboard the Oklahoma deserve nothing less than our finest efforts to preserve their memory.
If you’re planning to learn about Pearl Harbor and its history, this memorial is a must-see destination. At Pearl Harbor Tours, we provide comprehensive tours of Pearl Harbor and many sites dedicated to December 7th, including the USS Oklahoma Memorial. Join us as we honor the past and educate future generations about this pivotal moment in American history. Contact us to book your visit today and experience this moving tribute firsthand.