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NavSource Online: Battleship Photo Archive

BB-37 USS OKLAHOMA
Dec 7, 1941 - October 1943

Radio Call Sign: November - Alpha - Delta - November
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1912 - 1926
1927 - Dec 6, 1941
Nov 1943 - May 1947
Post War

Nevada Class Battleship: Displacement 27,500 Tons, Dimensions, 583' (oa) x 95' 3" x 29' 7" (Max) Armament 10 x 14"/45 21 x 5"/51, 2 x 21" tt. Armor, 13 1/2" Belt, 18" Triple Turrets, 16" Dual turrets, 3" Second (armor) Deck, 2 1/2" Third (splinter) Deck 16" Conning Tower. Machinery, 24,800 IHP; 2 vertical, Triple expansion engines, 2 screws. Speed, 20.5 Knots, Crew 864.

Operational and Building Data: Laid down by New York, Shipbuilding, Canden, NJ., October 26, 1912. Launched March 23, 1914. Commissioned May 2, 1916. Decommissioned (War Loss). Stricken September 1, 1944.
Fate: Sunk by Japanese aircraft during attack on Pearl Harbor Hawaii, December 7, 1941. Her hulk was raised in 1943, Sold for scrap December 5 1946. Hulk sank while under tow to breakers, 540 miles NE, Pearl Harbor, May 17, 1947. 20 Officers and 395 Men were lost with the ship and remain on duty.

In Memorium:

In the Second Book of Shmuel (Samuel), 22nd chapter, 5th through the 19th verses, translated from the original in Hebrew and published by the Koren Publishers of Jerusalem, Israel, can perhaps aptly describe the fate of the crew and all other U.S.sailors who died defending their county:

"When the waves of death compassed me / the floods of ungodly men made me afraid; / the bonds of She'ol encircled me; / the snares of death took me by surprise; / in my distress I called upon the Lord, / and cried to my G-D: / and he heard my voice out of his temple, / and my cry entered into his ears. / Then the earth shook and trembled; /the foundations of heaven moved / and shook because of his anger /...the heavy mass of waters, and thick clouds of the skies /... And the channels of the sea appeared, / the foundations of the world were laid bare, / at the rebuking of the Lord, at the blast at the breath of his nostrils. / He sent from above, he took me; / he drew me out of many waters; / he delivered me from my strong enemy, and from those who hated me; for they were too strong for me. / They surprised me in the day of my calamity: / but the Lord was my stay..."
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BB-37 Oklahoma 86 Gouache on board painting by the artist Tom Freeman entitled "Last Torpedo". The Oklahoma (BB-37) starts to capsize. The ship had no watertight integrity, as all portholes and watertight doors were open for Captain's inspection when the Japanese attacked. Maryland (BB-46) is at left, and Tennessee (BB-43) is behind and to the left of the Oklahoma, and West Virginia (BB-48) is directly behind her and sinking. Photo and partial text courtesy of oldgloryprints.com
Text I.d. courtesy of DR. John M. Deur.
The Raid on Pearl Harbor63kOil on canvas painting by the artist Ivan Berryman entitled "The Raid on Pearl Harbor, 7th December 1941 ", depicting the view across 'Battleship Row', viewed from above Ford Island as the Nevada (BB-36) gallantly makes her break for the open sea, coming under heavy attack from Japanese A6M2s from the carrier Hiryu. The Nevada was eventually too badly damaged to continue and was beached to avoid blocking the harbour entrance. In the immediate foreground, the lightly damaged Tennessee (BB-43) is trapped inboard of West Virginia (BB-48) which has sunk at her moorings, leaking burning oil and hampering the daring operations to pluck trapped crew members from her decks, while just visible to the right is the stern of the Maryland (BB-46) and the capsized Oklahoma (BB-37). Photo and partial text courtesy of military-art.com.
BB-46 Maryland36kOfficers' Motor Boats from either the Oklahoma (BB-37), or Argonne (AG-31) pass the capsized hull of Oklahoma . The Maryland (BB-46) is in the background.Official U.S. Navy Photograph, courtesy of USNI / USN.
BB-37 Oklahoma 86k The capsized hull of Oklahoma (BB-37), probably at the begining of rescue efforts with a Officers' Motor Boat from the battleship in the foreground, probably on 8 December 1941. Photo courtesy of periscopefilm.com.
BB-37 Oklahoma 78k The capsized hull of Oklahoma (BB-37), with a barge alongside to support rescue efforts, probably on 8 December 1941. Maryland (BB-46) is at right, and California (BB-44) is in the center distance. Official U.S. Navy Photograph # 80-G-32453, now in the collections of the National Archives.
BB-37 Oklahoma 99k Rescue teams at work on the capsized hull of Oklahoma (BB-37), seeking crew members trapped inside, 7 December 1941. The starboard bilge keel is visible at the top of the upturned hull. Officers' Motor Boats from Oklahoma and Argonne (AG-31) are in the foreground. Maryland (BB-46) is in the background. Official U.S. Navy Photograph # 80-G-19941, now in the collections of the National Archives.
Pearl Harbor106k Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii view looking northward, with the Navy Yard industrial area in the foreground and the Marine Barracks in the lower right, 28 July 1942. Ford Island is at left, with Oklahoma (BB-37) and Arizona (BB-39) under salvage nearby. San Diego (CL-53) is in the upper center.
West Virginia (BB-48) is in Drydock Number One, in the lower left, and California (BB-44) is alongside the wharf at the extreme right. Cruisers alongside the pier in right center are Northampton (CA-26) (left) and Pensacola (CA-24). Submarines alongside 1010 Dock, just beyond Drydock # 1, are Trout (SS-202), Pollack (SS-180), Dolphin (SS-169) and Cachalot (SS-170). Note camouflage on many of the Navy Yard's buildings. 		Official U.S. Navy Photograph # NH 84002, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Collection of The Honorable James V. Forrestal.
BB-37 Oklahoma 94k Under Secretary of the Navy James V. Forrestal (left)With Rear Admiral William R. Furlong (right), Commandant of the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard, and another officer, on board the capsized hull of Oklahoma (BB-37), at Pearl Harbor on 6 September 1942. The ship was then in the early stages of salvage. Note the two battleships in the background, moored alongside Ford Island. They are Pennsylvania (BB-38), in center, and either Maryland (BB-46) or Colorado (BB-45). USNHC Photograph # NH 83994.
BB-37 Oklahoma 87k 22 September 1942 photo of a diver preparing to enter the flooded overturned hull of the Oklahoma (BB-37) . The hull compartments were isolated wherever possible in order to form a separate air bubble inside. From the book "Resurrection-Salvaging the Battle Fleet at Pearl Harbor", by Dan Madsen. National Archives photo courtesy of Mike Green.
BB-37 Oklahoma 136k 28 October 1942 photo showing the construction of the winch foundations on Ford Island. From the book "Resurrection-Salvaging the Battle Fleet at Pearl Harbor", by Dan Madsen. National Archives photo courtesy of Mike Green.
BB-37 Oklahoma 129k Before refloating the Oklahoma (BB-37), a cofferdam was built from the quarterdeck break to just aft of turret #4 which increased the water plane of the ship. Officials hoped this and more cofferdams would allow the ship to be refloated, but the extensive port side torpedo damage, found after initial inspection dives, quickly dashed these hopes. This photo shows the beginning of the hull patching, similar to that done on the salvage of the West Virginia (BB-48). From the book "Resurrection-Salvaging the Battle Fleet at Pearl Harbor", by Dan Madsen. National Archives photo courtesy of Mike Green.
BB-37 Oklahoma 127k 8 January 1943 photo of the crew of the crane barge Haviside installing the headframes on the overturned hull of the Oklahoma (BB-37). Twenty one headframes were installed, braced against the docking and centerline keel of the ship. From the book "Resurrection-Salvaging the Battle Fleet at Pearl Harbor", by Dan Madsen. National Archives photo courtesy of Mike Green.
BB-37 Oklahoma 133k 13 February 1943 photo of the installation of 1-inch cables into the righting winches. From the book "Resurrection-Salvaging the Battle Fleet at Pearl Harbor", by Dan Madsen. National Archives photo courtesy of Mike Green.
BB-37 Oklahoma 136k Righting operations are seen beginning on 8 March 1943. Twin drum winches were used to reel in the 1-inch cable running from fixed and moving tackles. The tackles were themselves connected to the Oklahoma (BB-37) by 3-inch cables which ran over the top of the headframes to securing spots on the starboard side of the hull. From the book "Resurrection-Salvaging the Battle Fleet at Pearl Harbor", by Dan Madsen. National Archives photo courtesy of Mike Green.
BB-37 Oklahoma 123k The capsized battleship is rotated upright, while under salvage at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on 8 March 1943. This view looks forward, with the ship in the 130 degree position. Her starboard deck edge is just rising from the water. USNHC # NH 63916.
BB-37 Oklahoma 85k Oklahoma (BB-37) being righted after having capsized during Pearl Harbor attack....cables were attached to Ford Island and she was rolled upright in 1943. USN photo.
BB-37 Oklahoma 113k Ship righted to about 30 degrees, on 29 March 1943, while she was under salvage at Pearl Harbor. She had capsized and sunk during the 7 December 1941 Japanese air raid. Naval Air Station Ford Island is in the background. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, # 80-G-410533, now in the collections of the National Archives.
BB-37 Oklahoma 65k Battleship Oklahoma (BB-37) taken after her righting 29 March 1943. USN photo.
BB-37 Oklahoma 99k 31 March 1943 photo showing the Oklahoma (BB-37) with headframes removed and the 3-inch cables attached directly to turret barbettes and kingposts for the final righting of the ship. The individuals in the photo are Pacific Bridge's Jack Graham, Adm. William Furlong (Pearl Harbor Navy Yard Commandant) and Capt. Francis Whitaker (Supt. of Salvage). From the book "Resurrection-Salvaging the Battle Fleet at Pearl Harbor", by Dan Madsen. National Archives photo courtesy of Mike Green.
BB-37 Oklahoma 112k 6 April 1943 showing the progress made in righting the Oklahoma (BB-37). Identified individuals are Lt. Cdr. Solomon Isquith (Commanding Officer of vessels in-ordinary) pulling himself up the sloping deck, Capt. Francis Whitaker (Supt. of Salvage) smiling in the background and one civilian, Assistant Secretary of the Navy Ralph Bard. From the book "Resurrection-Salvaging the Battle Fleet at Pearl Harbor", by Dan Madsen. National Archives photo courtesy of Mike Green.
BB-37 Oklahoma 161k 6 May 1943 photo taken onboard the Oklahoma (BB-37), looking aft showing her quarterdeck and rear turrets. A good photo showing the still attached cables around both turret barbettes. In the background, the above water remains of the Arizona are all but gone. From the book "Resurrection-Salvaging the Battle Fleet at Pearl Harbor", by Dan Madsen. National Archives photo courtesy of Mike Green.
BB-37 Oklahoma 171k Listing at a 40 degree position, the Oklahoma's (BB-37) bridge structure is seen. USN photo from the WARSHIP SERIES #7--"PARALLEL FATES--The Utah (BB-31/AG-16) and the Oklahoma (BB-37) in Peace and in War", by Harvey M. Beigel, courtesy of Mike Green.
BB-37 Oklahoma 128k 18 June 1943 starboard bow view of the Oklahoma(BB-37). The ship is nearly completely righted with only a ~2 degree list. Oil sheens are seen coming out from many areas of the shattered hull. USN photo from the WARSHIP SERIES #7--"PARALLEL FATES--The Utah (BB-31/AG-16) and the Oklahoma (BB-37) in Peace and in War", by Harvey M. Beigel, courtesy of Mike Green.
BB-37 Oklahoma 90k Salvage of Oklahoma (BB-37), 1942-44. Lifting section # 1 of the five-section main cofferdam patch used to seal the ship's port side amidships, from frames 43 to 75. Stevedoring barge YS-109 is in the left center background. Official U.S. Navy Photograph # NH 64493, now in the collections of the National Archives.
BB-37 Oklahoma 155k 21 August 1943 photo shows the heavily reinforced main patch on the Oklahoma's (BB-37) port side. The forms in the foreground contained tremie concrete and this sealed the ends of the patch. From the book "Resurrection-Salvaging the Battle Fleet at Pearl Harbor", by Dan Madsen. National Archives photo courtesy of Mike Green.
BB-37 Oklahoma 73k This photo, just released by the U.S. Navy, shows the battleship Oklahoma being raised from the bottom of Pearl Harbor, where the warship was sunk during the Jap attack. Giant timber frames erected along the hull have cables running over them and to winches ashore, which slowly draw the vessel upright. USN photo from ACME dated 21 Sept 1943 from its New York Bureau via the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, courtesy of Bill Gonyo. Photo added 05/20/08.
BB-37 Oklahoma 130k Preparing the ship for refloating, after she had been righted. Photographed on 20 September 1943, looking forward from off the port side. Note large cofferdam patch installed from frames 43 to 75 to seal the extensive torpedo damage in that area. The patch was 130 feet long and 57½ feet high. Righting cables are still in place between the ship and Ford Island. Official U.S. Navy Photograph # NH 64495, now in the collections of the National Archives.
USS OKLAHOMA BB-37 History
View This Vessels DANFS History Entry
(Located On The Hazegray & Underway Web Site, This Is The Main Archive For The DANFS Online Project.)
Crew Contact And Reunion Information
Contact Name: Mr. PAUL GOODYEAR
Address:1138 AVE OF COTTON CASA GRANDE AZ 85222
Phone: 520 421 0055
E-mail: PAUL GOODYEAR


Note About Contacts.

The contact listed, Was the contact at the time for this ship when located. If another person now is the contact, E-mail me and I will update this entry. These contacts are compiled from various sources over a long period of time and may or may not be correct. Every effort has been made to list the newest contact if more than one contact was found.
Additional Resources
Hazegray & Underway Battleship Pages By Andrew Toppan.
ussoklahoma.com
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