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Old 10-15-09, 03:56 AM   #1
irishmantx
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Default Where is the Wreck of USS Oklahoma BB 37?

Dear Group,

I saw Pearl Harbor with Ben Afleck and Kate Beckinsale, and I did
wonder about those who died on the U.S.S. Oklahoma, and wonder
did anyone ever find the wreck of the U.S.S. Oklahoma and where is
she now?

According to most reports, and salvage team accounts, the
Oklahoma listed, then righted herself, then sank 540 miles away from
Honolulu? Did anyone know how deep the water is, and has any
recent search of the U.S.S. Oklahoma been conducted?

I wonder if Bob Ballard, Woods Hole, or the U.S. Navy could at least
locate the U.S.S. Oklahoma's final resting place to at least give some
closure to those who died and efforts to salvage such a memorial to
the tragedy of the Pearl Harbor Attacks.

Would seem inappropriate that 400+ Navy Personnel were to die,
a senseless death, that despite the money spent trying to salvage
the U.S.S. Oklahoma, only to be sold for scrap, then 540 miles from
the Hawaii Islands, in 'clear' or 'quiet' weather, take on water, list,
then right itself, then sink not even knowing where the ship finally
came to rest?

No respect for the dead Officers and Crew of the U.S.S. Oklahoma?
I hate to sound this way, but after watching Pearl Harbor and movies
related to the December 7th Attack, it seems the U.S.S. Arizona gets
a memorial bridge to show a piece of the funnel and hourly or so oil
fuel floating, yet, no such respect for the U.S.S. Oklahoma or any
other ship that was later sold for scrap, or where the current wreck
remains of the ships that survived Pearl Harbor?

I only hope some effort be made or at least mention to Bob Ballard
or some research team to find and possibly mark the current wreck
site of the U.S.S. Oklahoma. May Hashem Grant peace, rest and also
closure to the families who lost their "Warriors of the Sea" during the
December 7th Attack, and may Hashem grant wisdom, knowledge
and understanding to the true fate of the U.S.S. Oklahoma how she
was towed, listing, then righted herself only to sink! May Hashem
be able to motivate those who have the means and tools to look for
and find the Wreck of the U.S.S. Oklahoma, and to bring the surviving
family members and crew to pay tribute and final respects to the
Sacrifice of Freedom. "Freedom is never really FREE"

Shalom,

Micha'el D. Lucas
76531

Son of Chief Petty Officer L. Lucas USNR Retired.
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Old 10-15-09, 09:34 AM   #2
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It was always my understanding that the remains of those killed on the Oklahoma were removed during the righting and salvage of the ship at Pearl so I would think their loved ones wouldn't need 'closure' as to their whereabouts. I just assumed they were buried somewhere in Hawaii.

With the war raging I think the cold reality was that they repaired the ships that could be put back in the fight first and since both the Oklahoma and the Arizona were such complete wrecks they were left to be salvaged last. One article stated that the Oklahoma was salvaged purely to free up docking space. That's harsh, but again, think of the mindset of those days. We wanted to win the war. All other considerations were given short shrift.

I've never had the chance to go to Hawaii. I always figured the Arizona memorial was for not only her dead crew, but a memorial for everyone who died in that attack.
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Old 10-15-09, 07:42 PM   #3
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A lot of the Oklahoma dead were memorialized by having new construction named after them. The most famous being the destroyer escort sub-killer USS England named after Oklahoma ensign John C. England.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_England_(DE-635)

I'm not sure what would be accomplished by locating the Oklahoma's hull. There are a lot of other Pacific wrecks yet undiscovered and Oklahoma was formally decommissioned in as a US warship in September 1944, unlike the Arizona which never was.
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Old 10-16-09, 07:56 AM   #4
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The Arizona was in fact decommissioned. http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/BB39.htm I bought off on this myth for a while myself until someone brought it to my attention that she was decomm'd, and rather shortly after PH happened. As for looking for the Okie, you're looking for a needle in, well, the ocean. My guess would be no one has funded, or wanted to fund a search for the wreck.
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Old 11-13-10, 01:02 AM   #5
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Default uss oklahoma

the remains of the crewmen of the Oklahoma were removed and buried after the navy righted and re floated the ship. they are buried in mass graves here in punchbowl cemetery. the headstones read 8 unknown USS Oklahoma Pearl Harbor Hawaii, 7 unknowns, and so on. also the remains are slowly being identified. one was identified a few years ago from his DNA on letters he had written home. so i think the families do not need to see the wreck to get closure. also, the ship was stripped down before it was sold as scrap. there is no superstructure, guns, and most of the equipment is gone. all thats left is a hulk that would barely be recognizable. in my opinion, it should remain where it is. undisturbed. it is good it sank before being cut apart as other crew members have been forced to witness. Let it rest where it sank. in peace
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Old 11-13-10, 01:08 AM   #6
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WOW! It's amazing how one question can bring two new folks to sign on.

WELCOME ABOARD, both of you!

I hate to be a curmudgeon, but Pearl Harbor has to be the absolute worst movie on the war ever. But that's just my opinion.

As for Oklahoma, I agree with Mike - diving and taking pictures is fine, but leave her where she is. I doubt she could be raised anyway.
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Old 11-14-10, 04:33 PM   #7
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I'm not sure but my spamdar lit up with the first post in thread,but i see it is a year old thread.
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Old 11-14-10, 07:21 PM   #8
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Good point. For once I missed that.
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Old 11-14-10, 09:40 PM   #9
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I figured it was one of those 'Who is buried in Grant's Tomb' kind of questions.
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Old 11-14-10, 11:24 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Torplexed View Post
A lot of the Oklahoma dead were memorialized by having new construction named after them. The most famous being the destroyer escort sub-killer USS England named after Oklahoma ensign John C. England.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_England_(DE-635)

I'm not sure what would be accomplished by locating the Oklahoma's hull. There are a lot of other Pacific wrecks yet undiscovered and Oklahoma was formally decommissioned in as a US warship in September 1944, unlike the Arizona which never was.
Dang, I thought torplexed was back, then I saw the date.
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Old 11-15-10, 12:04 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nikimcbee View Post
Dang, I thought torplexed was back, then I saw the date.
Don't feel so bad, a few months ago some spambot bumped a thread and I was floored to see a post from The Avon Lady in the thread... then I saw the date...
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Old 11-15-10, 02:53 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by XabbaRus View Post
I'm not sure but my spamdar lit up with the first post in thread,but i see it is a year old thread.
Probably not a false reading. The guy joined, posted, and signed off within an hour never to be heard from again. But hey, at least he's not trying to sell us banned 360's.
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Old 11-26-18, 02:42 PM   #13
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Default USS OKLAHOMA

Although I never served on subs, I am Retired Navy. The Oklahoma lost 429 sailors and Marines. After it was uprighted, the men who were still aboard were buried in approximately 66 common graves in the Punchbowl. In late 2015, the Navy and the Secretary of Defense finally relented in allowing the exhumation of the caskets for the identification of the Oklahoma casualties. As of the start of November 2018, over 170 remains have been identified and released to the crewmember's families including my own family (my uncle died of board). DPAA and the Navy POW/MIA Office hopes to have at least 80% of the casualties identified by 2020.


HMCS(SW/NAC) Fred R Crowder USN(Ret)
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Old 11-26-18, 05:38 PM   #14
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Default Welcome aboard!

fcrowder 49!
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