Okay, i know that it was raised after pearl, and later sent to the scrappers to be scrapped, and sank while under tow again. but did they ever find the second wreck site? theyre like yeah, massive battleship, awesome looks, fateful day, oh yeah sank under tow, oh well. CAN YOU DIVE THERE WHERE IT IS TODAY!?
US Naval power was formidable even prior to our entry into WW2. The U.S Navy was formidable enough to have the victorious Japanese on the run 6 months after Pearl Harbor by achieving the U.S victory at Midway. On the otherhand, U.S ground forces were very weak prior to Pearl Harbor with obsolete equipment and in insufficient numbers. U.S Army strength may have been ranked 16 among world armies up to Pearl Harbor but not naval strength.
@kyle9524 yes, that was true before the war. but the real tribute is that the us became the ultimate power in a few short years because of the war. the us industrial might and its geography was the key in keeping it untouched to build and build. thats why the us went from 16th to 1st. the us navy was at one poin the largest the world ever seen with over 40,000 vessels and 4million plus personnel.
It bothers me that they never made another Battleship Oklahoma. Bothers me even more that after they raised the Oklahoma, they never repaired her to go back into service. Many other ships hit got the funding to be fixed and were sent back out. Why waste all that time to raise the ship and then just discard it? Terrible, terrible decision. I'm glad she sank before being cut up like she was just some peice of scrap.
She was pretty much obsolete before WWII and was raised to clear the harbor more than anything else. She was too badly damaged and WAY too obsolete compared to modern ships coming off the ways by that point.
To add to gramejwsmith's fine observations, there is historical reference that Oklahoma's salvage was also considered for her material components, such as her main guns. Even Arizona, considerably in worse condition than Oklahoma, went through this process.
She could have been repaired and there were plans to do so. But by the time she was raised, they were commissioning the IOWA class, three times the size and capability of the OKLAHOMA...
I believe (from a friend who was a survivor) that she was one of the first to sink and certainly rolled over BEFORE the ARIZONA blew up - because he was in the water by that point
Like Mr. Douglass, my grandfather was an officer in the Engineering Division, (Lt or LtCdr) William L. Benson. He passed away some years ago, but his service in the USN, and the story of USS OKLAHOMA has become an integral part of our family's lore and traditions.
Has the hull been located? It sank while being towed back to the mainland. What happened to the Oklahoma's guns? Were they re-used on other ships or placed in storage?
Coogans, They know the were abouts of the Oklahoma's hull, but I dont think they've ever really researched it. Some of her guns was used as coastal artillery on Hawaii.
On a side note, the current berth for the USS Missouri in Pearl is right above the exact spot where Oklahoma capsized and sank on Dec 7th. The pier they built for it is the spot where the USS Maryland was.
My grandfather was an officer on USS Oklahoma. He just passed away this May. I thank him and all the people that served or serve in the armed forces. Thank you for this video.
I've met Paul and listened to his and other survivor's stories. This is an excellent account and tribute to the U.S.S. Oklahoma. Glad to see this here. My family is going to Pearl Harbor in 4 weeks to be part of the ground-breaking ceremonies for her memorial.
RIP USS OKLAHOMA
astar334 1 year ago
this really hits home for me because i am a proud Okie.
MegaTitanicboy 1 year ago
I was just at the Oklahoma Memorial. It is was very special to me to visit as an American.
VictoriasRoses 1 year ago
Okay, i know that it was raised after pearl, and later sent to the scrappers to be scrapped, and sank while under tow again. but did they ever find the second wreck site? theyre like yeah, massive battleship, awesome looks, fateful day, oh yeah sank under tow, oh well. CAN YOU DIVE THERE WHERE IT IS TODAY!?
mindlessprimitive 1 year ago
Sir, thank you for your service. USN Retired/Son of a WWII Navy Veteran
deltadude61 1 year ago
kyle9524 the U.S. hasn't always been the powerhouse it is today. You've got to crawl before you can walk!!!
GGBundy 1 year ago
The greatest naval powers? Back then the united states armed forces ranked 16th in the armed forces of the world. Quite pathetic.
kyle9524 3 years ago
US Naval power was formidable even prior to our entry into WW2. The U.S Navy was formidable enough to have the victorious Japanese on the run 6 months after Pearl Harbor by achieving the U.S victory at Midway. On the otherhand, U.S ground forces were very weak prior to Pearl Harbor with obsolete equipment and in insufficient numbers. U.S Army strength may have been ranked 16 among world armies up to Pearl Harbor but not naval strength.
wilburhog 3 years ago
kyle it said Naval power. Pay attention before running around sounding ignorant.
ATXviIIIe 2 years ago
@kyle9524 yes, that was true before the war. but the real tribute is that the us became the ultimate power in a few short years because of the war. the us industrial might and its geography was the key in keeping it untouched to build and build. thats why the us went from 16th to 1st. the us navy was at one poin the largest the world ever seen with over 40,000 vessels and 4million plus personnel.
bigblondman1 1 year ago
It bothers me that they never made another Battleship Oklahoma. Bothers me even more that after they raised the Oklahoma, they never repaired her to go back into service. Many other ships hit got the funding to be fixed and were sent back out. Why waste all that time to raise the ship and then just discard it? Terrible, terrible decision. I'm glad she sank before being cut up like she was just some peice of scrap.
Rserlo 3 years ago
She was pretty much obsolete before WWII and was raised to clear the harbor more than anything else. She was too badly damaged and WAY too obsolete compared to modern ships coming off the ways by that point.
graemejwsmith 3 years ago
To add to gramejwsmith's fine observations, there is historical reference that Oklahoma's salvage was also considered for her material components, such as her main guns. Even Arizona, considerably in worse condition than Oklahoma, went through this process.
aesguerra15 3 years ago
She could have been repaired and there were plans to do so. But by the time she was raised, they were commissioning the IOWA class, three times the size and capability of the OKLAHOMA...
iowa61 2 years ago
Was the Oklahoma the first to sink?
Tronman71 3 years ago
I believe (from a friend who was a survivor) that she was one of the first to sink and certainly rolled over BEFORE the ARIZONA blew up - because he was in the water by that point
graemejwsmith 3 years ago
The oklahoma was the second ship to sink. She took 3 torpedoes and capsised.
Uss Arizona was the ship that sank first. They were awsome ships
KyleLexington 2 years ago
Like Mr. Douglass, my grandfather was an officer in the Engineering Division, (Lt or LtCdr) William L. Benson. He passed away some years ago, but his service in the USN, and the story of USS OKLAHOMA has become an integral part of our family's lore and traditions.
Hvygunner 4 years ago
Has the hull been located? It sank while being towed back to the mainland. What happened to the Oklahoma's guns? Were they re-used on other ships or placed in storage?
MRCOOGANS 4 years ago
Coogans, They know the were abouts of the Oklahoma's hull, but I dont think they've ever really researched it. Some of her guns was used as coastal artillery on Hawaii.
On a side note, the current berth for the USS Missouri in Pearl is right above the exact spot where Oklahoma capsized and sank on Dec 7th. The pier they built for it is the spot where the USS Maryland was.
Cirux321 3 years ago
My grandfather was an officer on USS Oklahoma. He just passed away this May. I thank him and all the people that served or serve in the armed forces. Thank you for this video.
Roger Douglass
RajiDoobieHawka 5 years ago
GOD BLESS BB-37
skot66 5 years ago
I've met Paul and listened to his and other survivor's stories. This is an excellent account and tribute to the U.S.S. Oklahoma. Glad to see this here. My family is going to Pearl Harbor in 4 weeks to be part of the ground-breaking ceremonies for her memorial.
HulaBunee 5 years ago
A brief history of the USS Oklahoma with Paul Goodyear speaking about Dec. 7th 1941 at Pearl Harbor
Compliments KFOR Channel 4 Oklahoma City
HardyRoundtree 5 years ago