On Sunday, the new USS Arizona Mall Memorial was unveiled on the University of Arizona Mall.
Hundreds of visitors viewed the brass medallions inscribed with the name, home state, rank or rating, and ship’s duties of the 1,177 sailors and Marines who died on board the battleship that was destroyed Dec. 7, 1941 — 75 years ago today — when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and launched the U.S. into World War II.
The memorial includes a full-scale outline of the deck of the ship that is below the ship’s bell in the Student Union tower.
Veterans and students, among others, continued to make their way to the new memorial this week. A few have left flowers.
Don Emrick, who served in the Navy during the Vietnam War and turned 70 last weekend, brought his son to campus Tuesday morning, noting many of the medallions carried the names of young men in their late teens and early 20s.
Eight medallions carry the names of Arizonans.
James William Horrocks was from Patagonia, and his Purple Heart is part of “The Life and Legacy of the USS Arizona” exhibit, which continues through Dec. 23 at the UA Libraries’ Special Collections, open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
George Hollowell was from Phoenix and died at the age of 21. His portrait is part of the UA’s Special Collections.
