Contrary to popular belief, the U.S. Pacific Fleet was not destroyed during the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. Two of eight battleships, the USS Arizona and the USS Oklahoma, were sunk and deemed unrepairable. The other six battleships were sunk and/or damaged but were repaired, returned to service and fought throughout the rest of the war. The battleship, USS Utah, was sunk during the attack but at the time was used only for training purposes and not considered sea-worthy for combat. She was abandoned and decommissioned. This is the story of American resolve and determination following the Japanese attack.
After a surprise attack that left Americans across the country reeling, the heroes of Pearl Harbor had no time to sit around and take in what happen.
Instead, they got to work repairing the dozens of boats that were sitting ducks for the Japanese air fleet.
The biggest targets for the Japanese were the U.S. Navy’s eight battleships. While two of the battleships were considered a complete loss (the USS Pennsylvania and the USS Arizona, which lays at the bottom of Pearl Harbor) the rest were resurrected and put to work winning the war.
Scroll down to see the 13 ships that were repaired after the attack on Pearl Harbor and how they contributed to the war effort after their resurrection.
USS West Virginia, battleship
Damage during Pearl Harbor: Seven Japanese torpedos to the port side, hit by two bombs, caught fire from the burning USS Arizona and sank to the sea floor.
Repairs: Pumped free of water and patched up so that it could be sent to Washington’s Puget Sound Naval Yard for full repairs
Returned to service: July 1944.
WWII service: The USS West Virginia took part in the Battles of Iwo Jima and Okinama and was present in Tokyo Bay when the Japanese surrendered after the second atom bomb was dropped on Nagasaki.
Decommissioned: January 1947.USS Tennessee, battleship
Damage during Pearl Harbor: Hit by a pair of bombs and became wedged between its moorings and a sunken ship
Repairs: Underwent two-and-a-half months of repairs in Puget Sound
Returned to service: February 1942
WWII Service: Fought in several battles in the Pacific from Alaska’s Aleutian Islands to Iwo Jima.
Decommissioned: February 1947USS Nevada, battleship
Damage during Pearl Harbor: Since the USS Nevada was unmoored during the attack, the crew was able to beach the ship before sustaining too much damage. She still sustained six bombs impacts and one torpedo detonation.
Repairs: Taken to Puget Sound for a refit
Returned to service: October 1942
WWII service: Was the Naval flagship during the D-Day operation and was later intentionally sunk in the first atom bomb test at Bikini Atoll, which was considered an honor
Decommissioned: August 1946USS California, battleship
Damage during Pearl Harbor: Two bomb hits and two torpedo impacts. She was sunk after a three-day effort to keep her afloat.
Repairs: Brought up from the sea floor three months later to undergo a full repair
Returned to service: January 1944
WWII service: Participated in the Battle of Okinawa
Decommissioned: August 1946