From bob haller:
Approximately 15 minutes into the attack, a Japanese high-level bomber
dropped a 1,760-pound (800 kg) naval projectile, that had been
specially converted, onto the USS Arizona. The bomb penetrated the
forward deck of the ship about 40 feet in from the bow. The resulting
explosion ignited aviation fuel stores and the powder magazines for
the 14-inch guns, instantly separating most of the bow from the ship
and lifting the 33,000-ton vessel out of the water (there is no
physical evidence remotely suggesting the USS Arizona was hit by
torpedoes to dispel a popular myth). The explosion and subsequent
fires killed 1,177 sailors and marines instantly. In addition, the
entire front portion of the ship was left destroyed and the fires
burned everything in its path. The fires continued for 2½ days,
virtually cremating every man on board. Out of a crew of 1,511 only
334 survived. Due to the immense fire, only 107 crewmen were
positively identified. The remaining 1,070 casualties were placed into
three categories: (1) Bodies that were never found; (2) Some bodies
were removed from the ship during salvage operations. These remains
were severely dismembered or partially cremated, making identification
impossible (DNA testing was unheard of in 1941). These bodies were
placed in temporary mass graves, and later moved and reburied and
marked as unknowns, at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
(Punchbowl) in 1949; (3) Bodies located in the aft (rear) portion of
the ship. These remains could have been recovered, but were left in
the ship due to their unidentifiable condition, indicating most crew
members died from the concussion from the massive explosion.


and parts of arizonia were removed for reuse on other ships, I believe
these were the gun turrets

so some bodies were recovered

One of my great uncles was on-board the Arizona that Sunday morning. I've gone to visit the memorial several times. Very sobering, particularly to see the oil slick still rising out of the wreckage so many decades later.

Another good place to visit is the State Capitol Building in Phoenix, as they have on display there the fancy silverware from the ship. (At least it was on display when I last visited.) I don't recall the story of how the silverware got from the ship to the city. I imagine it was either salvaged, or it was somehow not on-board the ship on the 7th.

Another tidbit... My cat is named in honor of the attack. The day I got her was the 70th anniversary. She has these stripes that make her look like a little tiger, so I couldn't resist.

~ CT