Pearl Harbor And The Fate Of The Many Brothers Aboard The USS Arizona

On the morning of December 7, 1941, the United States of America suffered one of the most devastating attacks in its history. Pearl Harbor, a naval base in Hawaii, was targeted by the Imperial Japanese Navy. This surprise attack resulted in the loss of numerous lives and sparked the entry of the United States into World War II.

Among the ships stationed at Pearl Harbor was the USS Arizona. The Arizona was a Pennsylvania-class battleship that had been in service since the early 1910s. At the time of the attack, it was harboring a crew of approximately 1,500 men, including a significant number of brothers serving together.

The USS Arizona and its Crew

The USS Arizona was an icon of American naval superiority, armed with a powerful battery of twelve 14-inch guns. It played a crucial role in the Pacific Theater during World War II. The ship and its crew undertook various missions, including patrols and training exercises, prior to the fateful day of the attack.

Brothers Down: Pearl Harbor and the Fate of the Many Brothers Aboard the USS Arizona

by Walter R. Borneman (Kindle Edition)

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	324 pages
File size	:	43991 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

The Arizona's crew consisted of men from various backgrounds, but what makes their story unique is the presence of many brothers serving side by side. This bond of siblings created deep connections and a shared commitment to protect their country.

The Impact of Pearl Harbor

When the Japanese planes descended upon Pearl Harbor, chaos ensued. The suddenness and ferocity of the attack caught the American forces off guard. Bombs and torpedoes struck several ships, causing immense destruction. The Arizona, in particular, was targeted by multiple bombs that ignited its ammunition stores.

The resulting explosion was catastrophic. A massive fireball engulfed the ship, leading to its rapid sinking. Trapped within the ship, many crew members lost their lives within minutes. The attack on the USS Arizona alone accounted for the majority of the American casualties, with over 1,100 men perishing.

Brothers Aboard the USS Arizona

Unfortunately, the USS Arizona had an unusually high number of brothers serving aboard. The attack on the ship also meant a tragic fate for these siblings who had chosen to serve their country together.

The loss of shared blood and familial bonds compounded the devastation of Pearl Harbor. It tore families apart and left parents without sons, wives without husbands, and siblings without brothers. The tragedy of the Arizona became a symbol of the sacrifices made by families across America during the war.

Telling Their Stories

The stories of these brothers aboard the USS Arizona are both heart-wrenching and inspiring. While their lives were tragically cut short, their bravery and dedication to their country will be forever remembered.

One such story is that of the Sullivan brothers. The five Sullivan brothers from Waterloo, Iowa, all served on the USS Juneau but perished when the ship was sunk during the Battle of Guadalcanal. Their sacrifice sparked a national debate on the policy of allowing multiple siblings to serve on the same vessel. The resulting "Sole Survivor" policy aimed to prevent such devastating losses within families.

Another remarkable story is that of the Valenzuela brothers from Los Angeles. Brothers Joseph, Frank, and Manuel Valenzuela were all aboard the USS Arizona when it was attacked. Tragically, none of them survived the sinking. Their names are inscribed on the USS Arizona Memorial as a testament to their sacrifice.

The Legacy and Remembrance

The USS Arizona and the fate of the many brothers on board serve as a lasting reminder of the cost of war and the sacrifices made by individuals and families alike. The ship remains submerged in Pearl Harbor, now a memorial to the lives lost on that tragic day. The USS Arizona Memorial attracts thousands of visitors each year, allowing them to pay their respects and learn about the history and heroism associated with the ship.

A Time to Remember

As time moves forward, it becomes increasingly important to remember the events that shaped our world. Pearl Harbor and the fate of the many brothers aboard the USS Arizona are essential parts of our history. By honoring their memory, we can ensure that their sacrifices are never forgotten and that the lessons learned from such tragedies are continually passed on to future generations.

Brothers Down: Pearl Harbor and the Fate of the Many Brothers Aboard the USS Arizona

by Walter R. Borneman (Kindle Edition)

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	324 pages
File size	:	43991 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

A deeply personal and never-before-told account of one of America's darkest days, from the bestselling author of The Admirals and MacArthur at War.

The surprise attack at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 remains one of the most traumatic events in American history. America's battleship fleet was crippled, thousands of lives were lost, and the United States was propelled into a world war. Few realize that aboard the iconic, ill-fated USS Arizona were an incredible seventy-nine blood relatives. Tragically, in an era when family members serving together was an accepted, even encouraged, practice, sixty-three of the Arizona's 1,177 dead turned out to be brothers.

In Brothers Down, acclaimed historian Walter R. Borneman returns to that critical week of December, masterfully guiding us on an unforgettable journey of sacrifice and heroism, all told through the lives of these brothers and their fateful experience on the Arizona. Weaving in the heartbreaking stories of the parents, wives, and sweethearts who wrote to and worried about these men, Borneman draws from a treasure trove of unpublished source material to bring to vivid life the minor decisions that became a matter of life or death when the bombs began to fall. More than just an account of familial bonds and national heartbreak, what emerges promises to define a turning point in American military history.