April 17, 2020 – NCIS, the popular television drama starring Mark Harmon, ended its 17th season early with a must-see episode that aired Tuesday. “The Arizona” tells the riveting story of Joe Smith, a Pearl Harbor veteran who served on the USS Arizona and upon his death, wishes to be interred on the ship to join his brothers.
USS Arizona Memorial sits over the sunken battleship and is sacred burial ground for 1,177 sailors who were killed on Dec. 7, 1941 during the attack. (Photo: Student News Net in 2019)
Smith, played by Christopher Lloyd of “Back to the Future” fame, is desperate to get the attention of Navy brass to have his request for burial on the USS Arizona approved. He takes a purple heart from an admiral’s home so the NCIS team is called in to investigate the crime.
NCIS writers crafted an excellent fictional story, filled with suspense, while staying true to history. After Smith is caught and is be interrogated by two young members of the NCIS team, he grills them on Pearl Harbor history. Neither agent could answer his question about how many sailors were killed on the USS Arizona on Dec. 7, 1941, the day Imperial Japan attacked the U.S. Navy Pacific fleet at its base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Smith then demands to talk with Leroy Jethro Gibbs, lead NCIS agent played by Mark Harmon. Gibbs’ father was a World War II veteran. After talking with Smith, Gibbs believes Smith’s story but tells him they need some evidence that he actually served on the battleship. Smith’s records are confusing because he lied about his age when he enlisted.
Find the episode to watch as this plot unfolds with the normal twists and turns NCIS fans have come to expect from the popular series.
The episode was not meant to be the season finale. But due to COVID-19, production of the series was shut down in March as the final few episodes were being filmed. Fortunately, “The Arizona” had already wrapped up production. It was dedicated to Pearl Harbor veterans and to all veterans, according to closing credits.
The photography, acting, and plot were beautifully woven together. The ending scene was authentic and incredibly powerful.
To answer Joe Smith’s question to the young NCIS agents, there were a total of 2,341 military personnel killed on Dec. 7, 1941 during the attack with 1,177 of those fatalities on the USS Arizona.