I’ve become aware of a project to identify those whose remains were recovered from the USS Arizona that was sunk in the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec 7, 1941. An important effort is being made to exhume those in a mass grave and conduct DNA on the unidentified remains to finally bring closure to the 654 families that were impacted by this fateful event.
Key Takeaway
60 more families need to submit DNA samples to trigger the exhumation of this mass grave and begin matching remains to the sailors that were lost.
Below is a letter from the program’s founder with additional information.
Dear Family Members,
I am excited to share that together we have achieved what many thought impossible. After nearly two and a half years of nonstop effort, we have now surpassed the Department of War’s 60% threshold policy for the U.S.S. Arizona Unknowns. We needed to send into the Navy and Marines 643 crew members with viable family reference DNA samples, and today we stand at 654 crew members located and requested a DNA kit.
This means we have officially turned in enough viable DNA family reference contacts to exceed the required policy. I did not do that on my own – YOU DID THIS!! Thank you !!!!!!
While this is a huge milestone, the Armed Forces DNA Identification Lab currently reports 583 fully processed Crew Members—about 60 behind the mark. We continue calling, emailing, and sending out reminders to encourage families to send in their completed kits as quickly as possible.
If you’d like to check the status of your crew member, please visit our website: www.USSArizona.navy/crew. Under the “OP85 Disposition” column you’ll see:
- ⭐ ️DNA on File – A viable FRS sample is confirmed at the lab.
- 📫 On The Way – A kit has not yet been received/processed by the lab.
- Nothing – no family reference has been submitted.
If you think you may have turned in your kit over a month or so ago and still see “ON THE WAY” or NOTHING as the status, please email me back so we can figure out why it’s still “In Process” with the Lab. If you recently sent it in – let’s give it a few weeks before we investigate. If you lost or need a new KIT, please email me and we’ll help you get a new one.
I will keep you posted on new updates as we now work and move to begin an official Request for Disinterment and Identification of the USS Arizona Unknowns to the US Navy for Manpower & Reserve.
Finally, please note: the next DPAA Family Member Update will be held on November 15, 2025 in Dover, DE. Operation 85 will be in attendance, and I will personally be there as well. If you plan on attending, I’d love to know in advance—please reach out and let me know.
Would you like to attend the DPAA Meeting and represent our USS Arizona Family?
Register with DPAA at this link:
https://dpaa-mil.sites.crmforce.mil/dpaaFamilyEvents
As family members, we are letting you know first about reaching our mark – Operation 85 will send out a public email update in the next week or so and we’ll be sure to keep you notified as we move along this new process.
Thank you again for your dedication and support. We are proving that when families come together, even the “impossible” becomes possible.
With gratitude,
Kevin Kline
Executive Director