U.S.S. Arizona Facts

Acknowledgments

We are extremely indebted to several people who have been contributing insight and ideas during the development of this website. We're sure that this list will continue to grow as more information comes forth. For now, we would like offer our extreme thanks to the following people:

Ray Emory, U.S.S. Arizona Historian, Hawaii

Historian for the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association and President Imeritus of the National Chief Petty Officers Association, Ray Emory has supplied his research throughout the years to many organizations as well as to Lorraine Marks-Haislip. We are grateful for his on-going research and his support of "getting the truth to the people."

Since the 1960's Ray has assembled in his computer the complete history of each officer and crewman aboard each ship in Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, not just the U.S.S. Arizona BB-39. Because of his extraordinary research, he was able to supply the information Lorraine Haislip needed to begin working with him on the Unknown graves in Punchbowl.
Mrs. Haislip's unbelievable and incredible journey back through time had already begun; a time of innocence before Pearl Harbor - and make the acquaintance of Arizona's crew through Arizona's Deck Logs from 1916 through October 1941.

Related Page: Article: Another Pearl "unknown" may be identified

Paul Stillwell, Author and Director of History/U.S. Naval Institute

Author Paul Stillwell made acknowledgment to Lorraine Marks-Haislip for her help while writing the book, 'Battleship Arizona - An Illustrated History' in 1991:
"When the Arizona was nearing her end, in 1940-41, one of the men in the deck force was a seaman, later coxswain, named Ed Marks. His nickname among his shipmates was "Harpo" because he was quiet, like the member of the famous Marx brothers of the movies.

He survived the loss of the ship because he was on leave on 7 December, and he died just a few years ago. His widow, Lorraine Marks, became the historian for the Arizona Reunion Association so that her work might serve as a tribute to her husband's time on the ship. She has done a spectacular job, traveling widely to collect memories, photographs, and memorabilia to honor the service of the USS Arizona. For her, this project is essentially an unpaid full-time job, and she even moved from California to Phoenix, Arizona, so that she could coordinate her efforts with those of the state capitol's museum and spread the word about the ship. She has made immense contributions to this book through her generous sharing of the many things she has collected. It is a far better book than it would have been without her efforts." (Reprinted by permission U.S. Naval Institute)

We worked directly with Buddy Roberts on his Uncle Sam E. Johnson's service aboard the U.S.S. Arizona BB-39. He was the highest ranking medical officer KIA on 7 December 41. And now we have an obituary from Benjamin D. "Buddy" Roberts daughter Mary. It is to late for her fathers final services but never to late to honor Mary's wishes. In lieu of flowers a donation to;

Marion Military Institute
Advancement Office
1101 Washington Street
Marion, AL 36756

J. Mitchell Brown (mike1114@aol.com) wrote in memory of a very special friend, Benjamin D. Roberts.

I regret due to medical reasons I can not attend services.
I write this with moistened eyes and a heavy heart. Buddy will be sorely missed.
Buddy was truly a friend.. To me as with so many others he was always there when someone needed him. So family and friends hold tight to memories for strength. There is much to be attached to memories of Buddy whom I first met at West Point Fall of 1951. I only had close contact with him infrequently thereafter .During an October (1951) academic class a professor said to me I did not belong at West Point and that I should leave. After class Buddy said to me “I was not raised that way.” , indicative of his family values despite the culture of the time . Buddy had an enduring and endearing dogged determination. He always maintained a positive attitude. Buddy expressed great pride in his family and was loyal to family and friends.

While expressing farewell to Buddy I must acknowledge the impact Buddy’s family especially his mother, had on my well being On June 30, 1962, I had gone shopping in Clanton, Alabama after being dropped off by a friend I was standing in front of a department store when confronted by a hostile sheriff who did not like the idea of me being there wearing captain’s rank and obviously not from Clanton. Buddy’s mother instructed me to get into her car. She took me to her home about 20 minutes away. She kept me safely overnight. Took me to Montgomery the following day and put me on a bus to Vicksburg Mississippi. She arranged, with my Clanton friend, expeditious delivery of my car to Vicksburg in time for me to make port call at Travis AFB two days later.

Now what moves through us is a silence, a quiet sadness, a longing for one more day; one more word. We may not understand why Buddy left us before we were ready to say goodbye But we should remember that his life gave us memories too beautiful to forget.

In sadness

John M(Mike) Brown