Explore the powerful story of two battleships that define America’s World War II journey in the Pacific. The USS Arizona (BB-39) marks where it all began—December 7, 1941—when 1,177 sailors and Marines lost their lives in the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor. Less than a thousand yards away stands the USS Missouri (BB-63), where the war ended with Japan’s surrender on September 2, 1945.

In this episode, we dive deep into the history of BB-39, from her commissioning in 1916 to her catastrophic loss at Pearl Harbor. We explore why ships are referred to as “she,” the decision to leave the Arizona as a war grave, and the creation of the iconic memorial that spans her sunken hull. We also examine the profound relationship between the Arizona and Missouri—how these two ships together tell the complete story of sacrifice, resilience, and ultimate victory.

We honor Lou Conter, the last survivor of the Arizona who passed away in 2024 at age 102, and discuss what it means now that we’ve lost all living witnesses to that fateful morning. The responsibility to remember falls to us.

From the tears of the Arizona—oil still leaking from her hull—to the surrender deck of the Mighty Mo, this is a story of loss and triumph, of beginning and ending, of two battleships forever linked at America’s most sacred naval memorial.

Perfect for history enthusiasts, military history buffs, and anyone planning to visit Pearl Harbor.

**Episode Length:** Approximately 40 Minutes

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