here to commemorate the 70th anniversary, four generations of don stratton's family. back then, he was a fresh-faced 19-year-old sailor on board the u.s.s. arizona. >> be five ladders up. >> he couldn't do much against the onslaught of bombs. then the arizona exploded. >> that ball of fire went about 600 or 700 feet in the air. i was burned over 65% of my body. it's been a long time. rest in peace, shipmates. >> reporter: more than 1100 men were killed, many still entombed below this memorial. of the 334 u.s. arizona survivors, only 35 are known to still be alive. there are more who survived on other battle ships but one by one, they're passing away. last night, the remains of a sailor who survived the attack on the u.s.s. utah and died this year -- were interned underwater. the dwindling number of survivors makes this an important anniversary. >> the first time i came out here, i was 19, knowing that he was 19 at that time. being there, same age. it is a life-changing experience. >> reporter: it took a year for don stratton's burns to heal. he didn't lose his fight.

here to commemorate the 70th anniversary, four generations of don stratton's family.then, he was a fresh face 19-year-old sailor on board the "uss arizona." >> i headed from my battle station which was about five ladders up. >> reporter: but he couldn't do much against the onslaught of bombs. then the "arizona" exploded. >> the ball of fire went about 600 to 700 feet in the air. i was burned over 65% of my body. it's been a long time. rest in peace, ship mates. >> reporter: more than 1,100 men were killed and many still entombed below this memorial. of the 334 "uss arizona" survivors, only 35 are known to still be alive. there are more who survived on other battle ships but one by one, they are passing away. the remains of a sailor who survived the attack on the "uss utah" and died this year, were interred under water. the dwindling number of survivors make this an important anniversary. >> the first time i came out here, i was 19, knowing that he was 19 at that time, being there, same age. i mean, it's a life changing experience. >> reporter: it took a year for don s

others like don stratton were badly burned. >> it was just a terrible day. it just engulfed us up there in the flames. >> reporter: only seven arizona survivors were able to make it here for today's ceremony. for them, it's heart breaking remembering the shipmates who were lost here 70 years ago and in the years since. >> it's sad. you can't lose all those people and friendships and not let it bother you. >> reporter: the arizona national memorial marks the spot where the battleship went down, its sunken hull under water, many of those who died on board entombed here. vernon wilson survived the attack but died at age 91 in april of this year. today with his family in attendance he will rejoin his ship mates. his ashes interred be neat the waters of the memorial. members of his family say being here is a deeply moving experience. >> these men did it all to help us learn to live and be safe and for their country and the people in this country and other countries. >> i can compare it to going to the world trade center memorial. this is of their generation compa