The battleship USS ARIZONA sinking after being hit by Japanese air attack on Dec. 7,1941.
TUCSON, AZ - November 14, 2016 - Two new documentaries about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, PEARL HARBOR – USS OKLAHOMA: THE FINAL STORY and PEARL HARBOR – INTO THE ARIZONA will air on PBS 6 on Wednesday, November 23, from 8-10 p.m. The special broadcasts will air in advance of the 75th anniversary of the December 7 attack.
“Pearl Harbor marked a pivotal moment for the United States,” said Beth Hoppe of PBS. “It catapulted America into World War II, which transformed a generation of young men and women and our country’s role on the world stage. As we mark the 75th anniversary of the attack, PBS is pleased to present two films that not only pay tribute to those who died and those who survived, but also shed new light on what happened during the assault and what has become of the men and ships of Pearl Harbor.”
PEARL HARBOR – USS OKLAHOMA: THE FINAL STORY is a one-hour film that looks at the attack on Pearl Harbor with a focus on the sinking of the USS Oklahoma. The film features first-person accounts from survivors who describe the attack in vivid, harrowing detail — from the moments just before the attack, through every detail of the terrifying hours, to the days afterward spent trying to rescue the sailors trapped aboard. But the story of the USS Oklahoma didn’t end on December 7th, 1941. For 75 years, families have waited for remains of “unknown” sailors to be identified and returned, and many questions still surround a lingering mystery: Why did the USS Oklahoma sink and capsize so quickly? PEARL HARBOR – USS OKLAHOMA −THE FINAL STORY will tell the stories of these unidentified sailors’ final homecoming, and dive into the mystery of the little-known Japanese “midget subs” that may have been responsible for the Oklahoma’s fate. WCVE PBS in Richmond, Virginia, is the presenting public television station.
PEARL HARBOR – INTO THE ARIZONA is a one-hour film about a landmark expedition to the USS Arizona, one of the most sacred war graves in the world. Since its sinking 75 years ago, no one has seen deep inside the ship, where more than 1,000 sailors lost their lives. This film follows an expedition team that uses an advanced ROV (remotely operated underwater vehicle) to explore the lower decks of the USS Arizona for the first time since it sank.
PEARL HARBOR – INTO THE ARIZONA features interviews with several Pearl Harbor survivors, including Don Stanton, one of the few remaining survivors of the USS Arizona. The special follows Stanton’s emotional journey back to the Arizona, where he joins the expedition team and watches a live video feed from the ROV as it explores inside his ship, a sight he never thought he would see again. Never before seen 8mm movies taken by Ensign Carl Weeden transport viewers back to the days aboard the Arizona prior to the attack and provide the human backstory to the ghostly reminders uncovered by the modern-day exploration.
About PBS
PBS, with nearly 350 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches nearly 100 million people through television and nearly 33 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’ broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS’ premier children’s TV programming and its website, pbskids.org, are parents’ and teachers’ most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing curiosity and love of learning in children. pbs.org
About AZPM
AZPM is an Emmy® award-winning, member-supported media organization serving all of Southern Arizona. AZPM has six public television channels and three radio stations, including PBS 6, PBS Kids and NPR 89.1. AZPM produces local content from its digital studios on the campus of the University of Arizona and is provided as a community service and educational resource. More information about AZPM, including program schedules and Video-on-Demand offerings, can be found online at azpm.org.
Arizona Public Media® and AZPM® are registered trademarks of the Arizona Board of Regents.
Twitter: @azpmnews, @azpm | Facebook: azpublicmedia | You Tube: arizonapublicmedia
By submitting your comments, you hereby give AZPM the right to post your comments and potentially use them in any other form of media operated by this institution.