USS Nimitz crew receives USS Arizona relic

24 November 2021

From MC2 Sarah Cristoph, USS Nimitz

Presented in remembrance and commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, the relic originates from a section of the battleship's superstructure.

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Rear Adm. Christopher Sweeney, commander, Carrier Strike Group 11 presents a relic from the USS Arizona to the crew of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in remembrance and commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Capt. Craig Sicola, commanding officer of USS Nimitz (CVN 68), receives a USS Arizona relic from Rear Adm. Christopher Sweeney on behalf of the crew, Nov. 23, 2021. (U.S. Navy/MC3 Justin McTaggart)

BREMERTON, Wash. – The crew of aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) received a relic from USS Arizona (BB-39), Nov. 23, in remembrance and commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The relic was cut from a section of Arizona’s superstructure and is part of the USS Arizona Superstructure Relic Program. The goal of the program is to establish and deepen connections between the Sailors of today to those of our past through education and presence while safeguarding the remaining relic materials of Arizona.

The relic was presented to the crew by Rear Adm. Christopher Sweeney, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11.

“I feel very proud and honored to have the opportunity to present this relic to the crew of Nimitz,” said Sweeney. “When I come across a relic like this, I feel it resets me and it reminds me of what is important each and every day. I think it is incredibly important to take this historical piece to the deck plates as a reminder of the courage and the commitment the Arizona crew members had on that day, December 7, 1941. The relic’s presence serves as a reminder to Nimitz Sailors to always be prepared to fight and to win.”

BREMERTON, Wash. (Nov. 23, 2021) Rear Adm. Christopher Sweeney, commander, Carrier Strike Group 11 presents a relic from the USS Arizona (BB-39) to the crew of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in remembrance and commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The relic originates from a section of the superstructure of the Arizona that was removed from the ship when the Arizona Memorial was constructed. Naval History and Heritage Command authorized the removal of sections of the relics for display and legacy enhancing purposes in 1994. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist Seaman Apprentice Mykala Keckeisen)

Capt. Craig Sicola, commanding officer of USS Nimitz (CVN 68) addresses the crew during an all hands call and presentation of a USS Arizona relic, Nov. 23, 2021. (U.S. Navy/MCSA Mykala Keckeisen)

On the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, while in port at Pearl Harbor, Arizona was hit by Japanese torpedo bombers causing a violent explosion within its magazine. The explosion effectively sank and irreparably damaged the ship. 1,117 of Arizona’s 1,512 crew members were lost due to the attack. Arizona was one of 19 U.S. Navy ships damaged or destroyed during the attack.

The attack on Pearl Harbor led to the formal entry of the United States into World War II. Adm. Chester W. Nimitz, the namesake of USS Nimitz, was selected to be the commander in chief of the United States Pacific Fleet ten days after the attack. Nimitz played a major role in the U.S. Navy’s success during the war.

“It's an honor to receive a piece of history like this and an even greater honor knowing its connection to our ship’s namesake,” said Capt. Craig C. Sicola, commanding officer of Nimitz. “It's my hope that every Nimitz Sailor takes this opportunity to reflect on the heritage of this warship and helps to carry on the legacy of the Sailors who have gone before them.”