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A CMV-22B Osprey, attached to Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRM) 30, readies for takeoff on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) while underway in the Philippine Sea, June 23. The George Washington Carrier Strike Group (GWA CSG) is on patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. The George Washington is the U.S. Navy’s premier forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States’ commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, while operating alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class August Clawson) — USS George Washington conducts flight ops in Philippine Sea

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Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 1st Class Rebekah Hood, from Gilbert, Arizona, assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) directs an MH-60S Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 on the flight deck of the America while conducting flight operations in the Tasman Sea, June 20. — USS America (LHA 6) Conducts Flight Operation

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Sailors aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn (DDG 113) take in a line on the fo’c’sle during a sea and anchor detail in Yokosuka, Japan, June 21. The John Finn is forward-deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alexandria Esteban) — USS John Finn departs Yokosuka

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U.S. Army Soldiers from the Transformation in Contact enabled 2nd MBDE, 25th Infantry Division train alongside their Philippine 5th Infantry Division Partners in Operational Maneuver in Northern Luzon, Philippines, June 17, 2025. — Salaknib 25 | Operation Maneuver

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An F-35C Lightning II, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, lines up on a catapult on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) while underway in the Philippine Sea, June 19, 2025. The George Washington Carrier Strike Group (GWA CSG) is on patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. The George Washington is the U.S. Navy’s premier forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States’ commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, while operating alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class August Clawson) — USS George Washington conducts flight operations in Philippine Sea

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Sailors signal for an F/A-18F to launch off the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) while underway in the Philippine Sea, June 16, 2025. — U.S. 7TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

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A U.S. Marine with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, tests his L3Harris Binocular Night Vision Device (PVS-31) during a night live-fire deck shoot aboard amphibious transport dock USS San Diego (LPD 22), in the Timor Sea, June 12, 2025. — 31st MEU | Live-fire deck shoot aboard USS San Diego

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Naval Air Crewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class Jeremy Valdez from Kaneohe, Hawaii, assigned to the Golden Falcons of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12, looks down at Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) in an MH-60S Seahawk while underway in the Philippine Sea, June 15, 2025. — George Washington Conducts Helicopter Operations

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U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 11th Military Police Brigade, 200th Military Police Command, march during the opening ceramony for Khaan Quest 2025, on June 14, 2025, at Five Hills Training Area, Mongolia. — Khaan Quest kicks off with an opening ceremony

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Sailors assigned to the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Annapolis (SSN 760) conduct mooring operations at Polaris Point, Naval Base Guam, June 11, 2025. — USS Annapolis (SSN 760) returns to Naval Base Guam

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An F-35C Lightning II, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, approaches a catapult on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) while underway in the Philippine Sea, June 12, 2024. The George Washington Carrier Strike Group (GWA CSG) is on patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. The George Washington is the U.S. Navy’s premier forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States’ commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, while operating alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class August Clawson) — USS George Washington conducts flight ops in Philippine Sea

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An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the “Blue Diamonds” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146 prepares to launch from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the South China Sea, June 6, 2025. — Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations

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Balikatan 25: 3d LCT and 25th ID Conduct Counter Landing Live Fire Event with AFP

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Balikatan 25: Counter Landing Live Fire Exercise

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Interment Ceremony Aboard USS Arizona Honors Survivors and Victims on 75th Anniversary

09 December 2016

From Petty Officer 2nd Class Jeffrey Troutman

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PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii - The first thing Lt. Patrick Zuchelli, from San Luis Obispo, California, notices is the silence out on the water of Pearl Harbor. It’s the 75th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attacks and he’s waiting patiently for the boat that will take him and about 300 others to the USS Arizona Memorial for a special interment service.

“It’s hard to imagine that 75 years ago – at this very moment – this harbor was a scene of great horror and chaos,” Zuchelli says. “It’s overwhelming and awe-inspiring to think that those men took such a heavy blow on that day, but they never stopped fighting … never stopped trying to save the ship. Every story you hear about Dec. 7, they’ll tell you that those men never quit.”

As the boat aligns itself alongside the pier, Zuchelli talks of how the men of Pearl Harbor's sacrifice will never be in vain.

“This is our Naval legacy and history here in this harbor,” says Zuchelli. “It’s beautiful to be here paying an honor to these veterans; it’s something I can take back home and tell my junior Sailors about. I hope it instills in them the same sense of honor and selflessness the men of the Pearl Harbor attacks put forth in their efforts 75 years ago.

Today’s interment service comes with distinction not just for being held on the 75th anniversary of the attacks, but also because it will see not one, but two USS Arizona survivors, both returning to the command they served aboard on that day more than seven decades ago.

Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class John Anderson was only 24 years old on the day of the Pearl Harbor attacks. He had requested a transfer to the Arizona only a short time earlier to be with his brother Jake who was serving onboard. He would never see his brother again after the evening of Dec. 6.

Seaman 1st Class Clarendon “Clare” Hetrick had been onboard just under a year on the morning of the attacks. He would later serve onboard the USS Saratoga and the USS Lexington during World War II.

Both men were among the few to walk away from the Arizona that day. Today, after 75 years, they were coming home to be with their shipmates once more.

“No other grave site is as sacred in the United States Navy as that of the USS Arizona,” says Rear Adm. John Fuller, commander, Navy Region Hawaii, and commander, Naval Surface Group, Middle Pacific. “Today we’re honoring these two Pearl Harbor survivors who went on to live full and meaningful lives, despite having to carry the heavy burden of that day throughout their life’s journey. Their efforts on Dec. 7, helped create a nation that is dedicated to order, justice, civility and peace.”

For the families of these survivors, it was the closure that John and Clarendon had been seeking their entire lives, to return to the scene of that infamous day and be with their shipmates once again.

“This was something Clare had wanted his entire life,” says Darla Hetrick, of Turlock, California, and the wife of Ben Hetrick, Clarendon’s oldest son. “He’s home now; that’s the only way to describe this. He’s finally home.”

Ben, fighting tears, turns to the waters along the starboard side of where the Arizona now rests, and smiles.

“Those men my father served with really were the greatest generation,” he says. “And I see how that’s rubbed off on today’s military, which I’m so proud of. They’re keeping alive the honor and the sacrifice the men of the USS Arizona and Pearl Harbor fought and died for, and I know my father is as proud as I am for that.”

As the Navy dive team receives the urns containing the ashes of John and Clarendon and ferry them out to the well of the memorial’s barbette number four, a peaceful silence much like the kind Zuchelli spoke of earlier settles over the spectators. The divers hold the urns up with dignified respect as the sun settles on this historic anniversary. The Anderson and Hetrick families say their last goodbyes, and the urns dip below the surface of the water.

For the first time in 75 years, John and Clarendon are rejoining their brothers on the USS Arizona, and once again assuming the watch aboard this most honorable of Navy ships.

“What a tremendous honor that was,” says Petty Officer 1st Class Brian Simic, of Englewood, FL, the Navy diver who took John’s urn down to the well. “To be a part of John’s life, in some small way, for everything he went through for this country, is a truly humbling experience. When we carry on these traditions, it gives us a look into the past, of where we came from, and reminds us that no matter how bad it can get, we should never forget how we got here.”

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Interment Ceremony Aboard USS Arizona Honors Survivors and Victims on 75th Anniversary

From Petty Officer 2nd Class Jeffrey Troutman

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