Pacific Historic Parks - USS Arizona Memorial

06/10/2026

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06/09/2026

: WWII veteran Jack Stowe, born in Denton, Texas, enlisted in the US Navy at just 15 years old after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Jack served more than three years in the Pacific, returning home in 1946 at just 18 years old.

Here he talks about his experiences during the war: https://youtu.be/9LfsrBgwBW0?si=XVV813HlmOC2B9r7&t=1

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06/09/2026

Fred Faulkner Lester of Downers Grove, Illinois, a Hospital Apprentice First Class in the U.S. Navy, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions on June 8, 1945, on Okinawa Shima.

Lester enlisted in the Navy Reserve on November 1, 1943, at age 17. He completed his recruit training at Naval Training Station, Farragut, Idaho and was promoted to seaman second class in January 1944. He attended the Naval Hospital Corps School in San Diego, and upon completion, his rank was changed to hospital apprentice second class on March 3, 1944.

Lester was assigned to a Fleet Marine Force, Field Medical Service School for combat field training, and then to the 1st Battalion, 22nd Marine Regiment, 6th Marine Division.

On June 8, 1945, Lester served with an assault rifle platoon against the Japanese on Okinawa Shima. Spotting a wounded Marine beyond the front lines, he crawled to him, despite being hit twice by enemy gunfire, and pulled him to safety. Refusing medical treatment for his fatal injuries, Lester guided squad members in providing medical treatment to the rescued Marine and others before dying shortly after that. Lester was just 19 years old.

He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 8, 1945. He is buried at Clarendon Hills Cemetery, Darien, Illinois.

06/09/2026

: Of the 13 folds of the American flag, which fold is a tribute to our country?

Find the answer here: https://pacifichistoricparksbookstore.org/products/402585?_pos=1&_sid=295feb15e&_ss=r

Let us know the answer in the comments below for your chance to win a gray “Remember Pearl Harbor” 40oz Flask: https://pacifichistoricparksbookstore.org/products/402222?_pos=1&_sid=976ff5194&_ss=r&variant=45387063230645



📷: Active duty military volunteers fly hundreds of flags over USS Arizona and then fold the flags, July 4, 2025.

06/08/2026

: George Elias Addison was born on October 24, 1924, in Oakland, Iowa. He attended Red Oak High School, where he was an active member of the football and track teams.

In April 1943, George enlisted in the US Marine Corps. After basic training, he joined the Military Police Company of the 2nd Marine Division and was sent to the Mariana Islands. After helping secure both Saipan and Tinian, his unit assisted the Tenth US Army during the invasion of Okinawa. The unit then began training for the planned invasion of mainland Japan.

After the atomic bombings, George served as a military police officer in Nagasaki. He spent ten weeks studying Japanese and was able to converse with Japanese civilians. He left Japan in December 1945 and was discharged the following month with the rank of corporal.

George later met and married his wife, Virginia, and went on to serve during the Korean War. He passed away on May 19, 2019, at the age of 94.

Source: Alexander Adairhttps://nhdsilentheroes.org/profiles/george-elias-addison/

06/08/2026

The work of preserving USS Arizona doesn't stop at the surface.

On Memorial Day weekend, the Wounded Veterans in Parks (WVIP) project conducted scientific dives on USS Arizona in support of the National Park Service's ongoing resource stewardship efforts on the WWII battleship.

The Pearl Harbor project paired paraplegic veterans with veteran dive buddies to assist with underwater research and monitoring.

Divers visually assessed pooled oil trapped within interior overhead cabins through open portholes along the starboard side of the ship's No. 2 deck. They also re-surveyed seven long-term GPS “superpoints” across the ship’s main deck to detect any structural movement — a monitoring effort that has continued for more than 15 years.

Images and text: Brett Seymour/NPS

06/08/2026

U.S. Marine Corps Private Robert Miller McTureous, Jr. of Altoona, Florida, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the Battle of Okinawa on June 7, 1945.

McTuroues joined the Marine Corps in August 1944 and was sent to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, for his recruit training, where he qualified as a sharpshooter. After the island of Okinawa was invaded by U.S. Marines and the need for replacements became apparent, McTureous’s draft was sent, and he became attached to rifle Company H, 3rd Battalion, 29th Marines of the 6th Marine Division.

On June 7, 1945, McTureous took part in the capture of an important hill on the Oroku Peninsula. The company suffered several casualties, and enemy fire remained so heavy that the wounded could not be evacuated. McTureous filled his pockets and jacket with grenades, charged up the hill into the enemy position, and succeeded in silencing the Japanese. He was badly wounded after passing one cave but did not call for aid as to prevent other men from being hit while attempting to rescue him.
McTureous, along with the wounded, was evacuated to a hospital ship, the USS Relief, and given large quantities of blood in an attempt to save his life. He died at sea on June 11, 1945.

He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on this day.

06/06/2026

06/05/2026

Eighty years ago, Honouliuli closed its gates.

Today, Honouliuli National Historic Site tells the stories of prisoners of war and incarcerated American civilians in Hawaiʻi during World War II. Honouliuli was the largest and longest-run incarceration camp in the Hawaiian Islands.

As part of the 80th anniversary commemoration, reservations are now open for guided tours of the site:
https://www.nps.gov/hono/planyourvisit/public-tour-information.htm

Additionally, documentary screenings, library exhibits, discussions, performances, and other special events across Hawaiʻi will explore Honouliuli's history and legacy:
https://www.nps.gov/hono/getinvolved/commemorating-80-years-of-closure.htm

📷: A park ranger gives a tour of Honouliuli (NPS photo).

06/05/2026

: Part of USS Arizona's galley floor still survives, even though it's been underwater since December 7, 1941.

These images show a section of the ship's central galley floor. More than eight decades later, portions of the original hexagonal tile remain visible.

📷: USS Arizona's central galley interior in the 1930s, and the galley floor as it appears in 2026 (Brett Seymour/ Park Service Submerged Resources Center).