On December 7, 1941, Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor sent shockwaves through the United States, altering the course of history and signaling the nation’s entrance into World War II. Among the many ships targeted on that fateful morning was the USS Oklahoma, which sat at anchor along the infamous Battleship Row. Struck by multiple torpedoes from Japanese aircraft, the Oklahoma quickly capsized, trapping hundreds of sailors within its hull and resulting in the loss of 429 valiant lives.

The actions on this day etched an indelible mark on the national psyche, and the USS Oklahoma’s demise became a symbol of sacrifice and the high stakes of global conflict. With the Oklahoma already listing precariously within the first ten minutes of the battle, the crew fought bravely against overwhelming odds, in a futile effort to stave off the ship’s impending doom. As the battleship succumbed to the muddy depths of Pearl Harbor, so too did the last hope of peace, as the nation rallied to avenge the unprovoked assault and to bring justice to those who had perished.

In the aftermath, the Navy deemed the Oklahoma irreparable, and focused efforts on salvaging any usable equipment and steel for the war effort. By 1946, attempts to tow the ship’s hull to California were met with another bout of misfortune when it sank to the bottom of the Pacific, approximately 500 miles east of Hawaii. This final chapter of the ship’s voyage served as a somber testament to the immense loss and the beginning of a long process of honoring those who fell that day.

At Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, a memorial now stands to honor the 429 sailors and marines who lost their lives on the USS Oklahoma. The attack not only triggered a state of war but also unified a nation in grief and resolve. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s address to Congress led to a declaration of war against the Empire of Japan, and soon after, against Germany—cementing America’s full engagement in World War II.

Survivor testimonies offer a glimpse into the chaos and heroism of December 7. Accounts from men like Signalman Third Class Paul A. Goodyear and Ensign Herbert Rommel revealed both the acute dangers and the humanity that persisted even in the darkest moments. These stories of survival and resilience are integral to the legacy of the USS Oklahoma and its crew.

Decades later, the commitment to honor those who served aboard the USS Oklahoma remains steadfast. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) undertook monumental efforts to identify the remains of the fallen, employing modern DNA analysis. The Oklahoma Project, as it came to be known, has successfully identified 346 sailors and marines since its inception in 2015.

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