U.S.S. Missouri at Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor preserves the bookends of World War II‘s Pacific Theater.

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My companion and I spent much of the day at the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial and Museum, which commemorate the 2,403 lives lost in Imperial Japan‘s sneak attack on December 7, 1941.

Then we sped off for a quick tour of the U.S.S. Missouri, the 45,000-ton battleship on which the so-called Empire of the Sun would surrender less than four years later, on September 2, 1945.

The Mighty Mo was completed in 1944, the final year of World War II, and she was the last U.S. battleship to be commissioned.  She fought during the pivotal Battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa and shelled the Japanese islands of Hokkaidō and Honshū.

The Missouri was decommissioned after fighting in the Korean War, then reactivated and modernized in 1984, and she fought during the 1991 Gulf War.  She was decommissioned a final time on March 31, 1992, having earned 11 battle stars for wartime service.

Her arms include Harpoon anti-ship missiles, Tomahawk cruise missiles, and anti-aircraft guns:

Walking her decks unfolds a picture of life aboard ship.

The officers’ quarters looked pretty cramped, but at least they allowed for some privacy and personal expression:

I thought the officers’ lounge area, with its plastic flowers and decrepit couches, was hideous, like a college dorm lounge:

Then we crossed over into enlisted territory:

The Navy is obviously not a good career choice for the claustrophobic:

Above are marked some of the ship’s historically significant spots, like the site of a 1945 Kamikaze attack

and the site of Japan’s surrender:

Outside, the WWII-era theme continues:

And a familiar-looking signpost reminds visitors where they are:

Exploring the U.S.S. Missouri is like stepping back in time to the era of the Greatest Generation.  As you walk her decks, you share in the great moments, like the Allied victory over Japan, and the day-to-day struggles and sacrifices that made them possible.

Though her guns are silent and her quarters are empty, the U.S.S. Missouri continues to tell the stories of the big moments and brave sailors who helped shape the 20th  century.  She’s a floating chapter of history.

What to Know Before You Go to
the U.S.S. Missouri

 

The U.S.S. Missouri is located at an active military base.

You may park at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center at 1 Arizona Memorial Place in Honolulu, Hawaii.  From there, you may take a complimentary shuttle to the Missouri.  Shuttles run roughly every 15 minutes.

There is a strict bag policy.  You may carry a clear plastic bag or a wallet, clutch, or wristlet no larger than 1.25″ x 2.25″ x 5.5″.

Wear layers suitable for the weather and comfortable walking shoes.

Allow one to three hours.

There are two fast-food spots, and seating with spectacular views, on the pier:  Sliders Grill and Wai Momi Shaved Ice.

My companion and I had a satisfactory stay at the Hilton Hawaiian Village at Waikiki.