The USS Arizona Memorial draws nearly every visitor to Pearl Harbor, but it isn’t the only memorial to the ships and sailors lost on December 7, 1941. On Ford Island, in the middle of the harbor, two quieter memorials honor the USS Utah and the USS Oklahoma. They are among the least-visited and most moving places at Pearl Harbor.
The USS Oklahoma Memorial
The battleship USS Oklahoma was moored on Battleship Row when it was struck by multiple torpedoes and capsized within minutes, trapping hundreds of men inside. The Oklahoma suffered the second-greatest loss of life of any ship that day, with 429 crew members killed, second only to the Arizona.
The memorial stands near the Battleship Missouri. Rows of white marble columns, one for each sailor and Marine lost, stand like a crew in formation, facing the spot where the ship was moored. It’s a powerful, quiet place for reflection.
The USS Utah Memorial
Often called “the forgotten ship of Pearl Harbor,” the USS Utah was a former battleship serving as a training and target ship when it was hit and capsized on the far side of Ford Island. Much of the ship remains in the water today, and like the Arizona, it is the final resting place for members of its crew. A small memorial and walkway overlook the wreck.
Why access is restricted
Ford Island is an active U.S. military base. Visitors without an active-duty military ID can’t simply drive or walk to these memorials. Instead, the National Park Service offers a ranger-led Ford Island Bus Tour that departs from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and stops at both the Utah and Oklahoma memorials.
- Reservations are required, and seats are limited.
- Tours are escorted by park rangers in coordination with the Navy.
- Allow about 90 minutes round trip.
- Tours can be canceled on short notice for base security reasons.
Fitting it into your Pearl Harbor day
The bus tour works best on a full-day visit. Start with the USS Arizona Memorial program in the morning, then add the Ford Island sites. History lovers will appreciate the Complete Pearl Harbor Experience or the Battleships of WWII Tour, which covers the USS Missouri on Ford Island and makes it easy to plan time around the memorials. Ask about the Ford Island Bus Tour when booking.
Visiting respectfully
- Speak quietly and follow ranger instructions at all times.
- Photography is generally fine at the memorials, but follow any posted restrictions on the military base.
- Take time to read the names; each column and plaque represents a life.
To plan a deeper Pearl Harbor visit, browse our Pearl Harbor tours or call us at (808) 824-3995.