The King and the USS Arizona Memorial

This is the story of the king and the USS Arizona Memorial. Yet, the memorial we know today might not have existed without the unlikely intervention of a music icon—Elvis Presley. 

In the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona was left at the bottom of the harbor, its sunken hull symbolizing the tragic loss of life during the raid. Over 1,100 sailors and Marines aboard the Arizona lost their lives, and the ship was left as a final resting place for many of them. Initially, a simple flagpole was erected over the sunken battleship to honor those who perished, but by the 1950s, it was clear that a more fitting memorial was needed.

The drive to build a proper memorial began in earnest in the early 1950s, but progress was slow. Despite efforts by the Pacific War Memorial Commission (PWMC), fundraising lagged behind the $500,000 goal needed to build the memorial. Even with a boost from a special episode of “This Is Your Life,” which raised $95,000, the project seemed destined to falter.

Enter Elvis Presley was the King of Rock and Roll. After serving in the U.S. Army, Elvis needed to revitalize his image and reconnect with his audience. His manager, Colonel Tom Parker, saw an opportunity to do just that while also supporting a worthy cause. Parker proposed a benefit concert to raise funds for the USS Arizona Memorial, an idea that was eagerly accepted by the PWMC.

On March 25, 1961, Elvis performed a benefit concert in Honolulu, Hawaii, with the proceeds going towards the construction of the memorial. The concert was a resounding success, raising $60,000—an impressive sum, though still short of the total needed. However, the publicity generated by Elvis’s involvement spurred a wave of donations from the public, eventually allowing the PWMC to reach its fundraising goal.

Construction of the USS Arizona Memorial began shortly after the funds were secured, and on May 30, 1962, the memorial was officially dedicated. The white, 184-foot-long structure spans the sunken hull of the USS Arizona, allowing visitors to gaze down at the ship’s remains and the “black tears” of oil that still rise to the surface. It stands today as a solemn tribute to the lives lost during the attack on Pearl Harbor and as a reminder of the cost of war.

Elvis Presley’s contribution to the creation of the USS Arizona Memorial is a lesser-known but vital chapter in the history of this iconic site. His involvement not only ensured that the memorial was built but also helped cement its place as a national symbol of remembrance and reflection. The King of Rock and Roll, through his generosity and star power, played a crucial role in honoring the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice on December 7, 1941.

For anyone visiting Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona Memorial remains a poignant and moving experience, a place where history and honor are forever intertwined, thanks in no small part to the unexpected intervention of a rock and roll legend.