The Sunken Ship Vanished Crew And The Final Mystery Of Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor, a naval base located in Honolulu, Hawaii, holds a significant place in history. The brutal attack on December 7, 1941, by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service propelled the United States into World War II. Amidst the chaos and destruction, numerous vessels were sunk, including the USS Arizona, which became a symbol of the nation's loss and determination.

While the USS Arizona remains a poignant reminder of the attack, it is not the only ship shrouded in mystery at the depths of Pearl Harbor. Another vessel, known as the USS Oklahoma, met a similar fate that fateful day.

Dawn of Infamy: A Sunken Ship, a Vanished Crew, and the Final Mystery of Pearl Harbor

by Stephen Harding (Kindle Edition)

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Language	:	English
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The Tragic Sinking of the USS Oklahoma

The USS Oklahoma was a Nevada-class battleship that was commissioned in 1916. On that fateful Sunday morning in 1941, the ship was moored on Battleship Row when it was struck by multiple torpedoes. The devastating attack caused the Oklahoma to capsize within minutes, trapping many crew members inside.

Rescue efforts were made, and heroic stories of survival emerged. However, the majority of the crew - 429 men - ultimately lost their lives as a result of the attack. The Oklahoma was subsequently salvaged, but due to the extent of the damage, it was deemed irreparable and sold for scrap.

The Vanished Crew and The Unsolved Mystery

As the years went by, the memory of the Oklahoma and its crew faded, until the ship became an almost forgotten chapter of the Pearl Harbor tragedy. While remnants of the USS Arizona are visited by millions of tourists every year, the Oklahoma remains a forgotten and silent witness at the bottom of the harbor.

The final resting place of the ship was marked by a memorial, but it wasn't until recent efforts to identify the remains of the crew members that renewed attention was brought to the USS Oklahoma.

The Forensic Quest for Answers

Forensic anthropologists, with the aid of advanced technology, began the delicate and intricate process of identifying the remains of the fallen crew members. The task was challenging, as many bodies were buried as "unknowns" or simply identified as "Oklahoma sailor" due to limited forensic capabilities at the time.

The experts utilized DNA testing, dental records, and detailed skeletal analysis to piece together the puzzle of the vanished crew. With each identification, a sailor regained his name and his memory was restored.

Unanswered Questions and Conspiracy Theories

The identification process shed light on the fate of many crew members, providing closure for their families. However, it also raised new questions and sparked conspiracy theories surrounding the events of that fateful day.

Some theories suggest that not all crew members perished aboard the Oklahoma and might have been taken prisoner by the Japanese. Lack of concrete evidence has prevented these theories from gaining widespread acceptance, but they continue to fuel speculation and interest among historians and enthusiasts alike.

The Final Mystery of Pearl Harbor

The sinking of the USS Oklahoma and the loss of its crew is a somber reminder of the immense sacrifice made during the attack on Pearl Harbor. While the identifications have provided closure to many families, the mystery of what truly happened to every crew member remains unresolved.

As we continue to honor the memory and sacrifice of those who served on that fateful day, it is important to remember the collective bravery and resilience that emerged from the ashes of Pearl Harbor. The story of the sunken ship and its vanished crew serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of the American people.