The USS Oklahoma: A Tale of Tragedy, Tenacity, and Thankfully, Not Quite As Many Bodies as You'd Think (Probably)
The USS Oklahoma, a proud battleship once gracing the waves of Pearl Harbor, met a watery demise during the Japanese attack on December 7th, 1941. It was a dark day, and a somber toll was paid. But have you ever wondered, just how many brave souls went down with the ship?
The Great Recovery Caper (Well, not exactly a caper, but you get the idea)
Here's the thing: recovering bodies from a capsized ship is no easy feat. It's like playing Tetris with human remains, only way less fun and way more depressing. After the dust settled (and the oil slick cleared), the number recovered was a staggering... 429. Yikes. That's a hefty body count.
The Identification Imbroglio (Because science wasn't CSI: Miami back then)
But wait! There's more! Identifying those 429 fellas in 1941 was about as easy as identifying a Kardashian without their makeup. Technology just wasn't there yet. So, sadly, only 35 heroes were positively identified. The rest? Well, they were buried with honors as unknowns.
Tip: Reread key phrases to strengthen memory.
Fast Forward to Fancy Science: The Identification Redemption!
Thankfully, science eventually got its act together. In 2015, with the help of spiffy new DNA testing techniques, a project began to exhume and identify the remaining unknown Oklahomans. And guess what? It's been a success story! As of September 2021, a whopping 346 sailors and Marines have been identified and finally laid to rest with their names. That's some serious scientific detective work, folks!
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| How Many Bodies Were Recovered From The Uss Oklahoma |
How Many Are Left Unidentified Then?
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Now, some of you might be wondering, "So, how many are still out there?" Well, that math is easy, even for those who struggled with Tetris: 429 total - 346 identified = 83 That's 83 heroes whose names we might never know, but whose sacrifice will never be forgotten.
## Frequently Asked Questions (Because Apparently You Still Have Some)
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How to Honor the USS Oklahoma Crew?
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There are many ways! You can visit the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, learn about the ship's history, or even donate to organizations that support veterans and their families.
How to Get Involved With the Identification Project?
While the USS Oklahoma project is nearing completion, there are always ongoing efforts to identify unknown soldiers. You can find out more through the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (
How to Play Tetris Like a Champ (Because Why Not?)
Tip: Don’t just glance — focus.
There are plenty of online Tetris resources, but honestly, practice makes perfect. Just don't use this newfound skill to, you know, exhume bodies. Leave that to the professionals.
How to Appreciate the Power of Science?
Science is pretty darn cool, right? From identifying heroes to putting a man on the moon, it's constantly improving our lives. So next time you see a lab coat, give it a high five (figuratively, of course).
How to Write a Hilarious Blog Post About a Tragedy?
Apparently, it involves a healthy dose of self-deprecating humor and a genuine respect for the subject matter. It's a tightrope walk, but hey, someone's gotta do it.
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