Three new virtual reality tours presented by the National Park Service and Pacific Historic Parks were unveiled at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center during the 75th Commemoration of Pearl Harbor.

With virtual reality technology, anybody now walk the decks of the battleship USS Arizona just before the attack, witness the attack on Battleship Row and visit the USS Arizona Memorial.

“I think it’s really terrific because it gives people the ability to see the memorial and to see the deck of the USS Arizona. Nobody else would normally be able to see that and it’s so realistic and it’s good for educational purposes. That’s what we strive to do, to keep the education of the attack and everything that occurred relevant,” said Sharissa Kuhns, bookkeeper for Pacific Historic Parks.

Ninety-four-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor Jack Moore, attended the event with his two sons and was able to share the events of that infamous day with them in a new way. Through the virtual reality goggles, he looked across the harbor at 7:55 a.m. at the scene he witnessed at 75 years ago.

On Dec. 7, 1941, Moore was two decks below the USS Sacramento, a gunboat that was berthed in the Navy Yard for repair. He looked out the porthole across the harbor and admired the battleships lined up on Battleship Row, wishing he was on one of them. “And about 10 minutes later I’m glad I was where I was,” he said. “The first few minutes I looked up in to the sun and said, ‘This is going to be the last day of my life.’” By 8 a.m. the USS Sacramento’s battle stations were manned. Two minutes later, her guns opened fire on Japanese aircraft attacking Battleship Row.

“I would like them [students] to know the complete story of the situation at that time, and to understand why it all occurred, and what we did to resolve the situation later on by the Battle of Midway and further battles throughout the years. That’s something I think that every student, every kid ought to know about,” said Moore.

The virtual reality app is available on both the iTunes and Google Play under “Pearl Harbor VR Tours.” The Arizona Memorial will incorporate a virtual reality center at the visitor’s center, in addition to their audio tours, where visitors can have a deeper learning experience.

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11 Comments

  1. Terry Ellich December 10, 2016 at 00:13

    Hot do I view the “Pearl harbor vr app” on my Galaxy Gear VR?

  2. Mark Johnson December 9, 2016 at 20:54

    This should be free to Patriots…..but charge Leftists.

  3. John Lashnits December 9, 2016 at 16:22

    VERY LIMITED TIME! I paid the $2.99 and was severely “under-impressed”. It’s just 3 CG scenes, very rudimentary, You can move to about 6 different viewpoints on either side of the Arizona’s deck; there’s a crude map of the harbor and environs, and 4 or 5 CGI simulated views of the attack (different times). Save your money.

  4. DAVID REITTER December 9, 2016 at 16:05

    Veterans do not need virtual reality healthcare or fantasy healthcare. There is a Veteran out there in reality who told the story of how he was using his Medicare , because he was not accepted into VA Healthcare or could not get a VA ID Card. Well, he finally was accepted by the VA for treatment. So, the Medicare people billed him $800,000 dollars for all his past treatment by them. Reality check from the VA to pay for Medicare billing , one ;thinks not .

  5. Barney Panfil December 9, 2016 at 15:45

    I had to pay 2.99 for the app on Google. Not a huge price but still not “free” as described in the article. I’m sure it is worth it.

  6. TJ Fackler December 9, 2016 at 14:45

    Free download?? For a limited time? The limited time must have been VERY limited. Because there is already a fee for it.

  7. Frank marino December 9, 2016 at 14:06

    Wish I could see this video.

  8. Philip B Warren December 9, 2016 at 14:00

    I just downloaded iTunes and searched for Pearl Harbor VR Tours. It found the app but it was priced at $2.99. Will you let us know when the limited time free offer is in effect.

    • Megan Moloney December 9, 2016 at 15:21

      Philip — It was available earlier this week through yesterday. Our story originally published on Monday. We’ve updated the text as they limited free downloads have wrapped up.

  9. Todd Heintz December 9, 2016 at 12:50

    Melissa, I want to thank you for your great stories keep up the great work

  10. Harold Nelson December 9, 2016 at 12:22

    The link to the Apple iTunes for the Pearl Harbor VR tour does not work. Is there an alternative for the Apple system?

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