USS ARIZONA SURVIVOR/ WAR HERO LOU CONTER TURNS 100

Self

[j.havenfarm]

DATELINE GRASS VALLEY, CA: Lieutenant Commander Lou Conter, USN (Ret.) celebrated his 100th birthday here in Grass Valley today. About 150 family, friends, military, law enforcement, and public officials were in attendance for the tribute to this great American.

Mr Conter was on duty on the deck of the USS Arizona on December 7, 1941. He is one of only two survivors of the Arizona today. He went on to become a naval aviator and was shot down twice in his intrepid service in the South Pacific.

He spent 35 years in the US Navy, working in intelligence and developing the rigorous program to teach service members to endure captivity by the enemy. He is truly a national hero. Much loved at Pearl Harbor, unfortunately he will be unable to attend the 80th anniversary observances this year.

In dark times like these, Lou Conter’s story of an extraordinary life of service to his country can give us hope that what we were, we can be gain. For those interested, he recently published his autobiography, The Lou Conter Story. I hate to say it but the only way to get it I know of is through Amazon. I heartily recommend.

When I periodically write on this forum about this great American and dear friend, I humbly offer for you my son’s Eagle Scout project video biography of this great American. I hope you enjoy it. USS Arizona Survivor Lou Conter -- Pearl Harbor & Pacific War Video Memoir: Witness to Infamy

[j.havenfarm]

USS Arizona Survivor Lou Conter — Pearl Harbor & Pacific War Video Memoir: Witness to Infamy

There. Sorry

[j.havenfarm]

Third time’s a charm;
https://youtu.be/T_L0kWTqPiA

[Puppage]

God bless you, Sir.

[vetvetdoug]

Wasn’t he one of the few men that were on a conning tower on the Arizona and another ship tossed him a line to get out of the inferno?

[olivia3boys]

Thanks for posting this. I drove by Grass Valley today on my way to Tahoe. Didn’t know one of the final two survivors was right there turning 100. Happy birthday to him! Wow. Just 2 left.

[j.havenfarm]

He want one of those, but he was good friends with the late Lauren Bruner, who was one of those fellows. The late Joe George of the USS Vestal was awarded the Bronze Star for throwing that life line. We were so honored that Mr George’s family sent my son a challenge coin to recognize his making the linked video

[Verginius Rufus]

Did a little digging and found out that the other survivor is Ken Potts, who turned 100 last April 15. Initially there were 335 survivors of the attack.

[Jane Long]

Happy 100th, Lieutenant Commander Lou Conter!!

God bless you, sir....as you have blessed this great nation.

A grateful family thanks you, for your service.

Thank you, so much, for posting this...and, his oral history, from four years ago (2017)....hubby and I are looking forward to watching and learning, from this national treasure.

We will share his very important story and history, with our grands.

[Ezekiel]

Did a little digging and found out that the other survivor is Ken Potts, who turned 100 last April 15. Initially there were 335 survivors of the attack.

Thank you for providing that detail! How I missed that in the past I don't know, but everything in its proper time and place.

Few care about information I round up, but there are many parallels to the Arizona and Rachel the Matriarch, who is known as Rachel Imenu, Rachel "our mother".

Buried where she died, in an isolated grave, at "the crossroads" (the sign is there at the museum site - crossroads of the Pacific) ... crying for her children like the tears of the Arizona, the word play on Arizona as Eretz Ziona (the land toward Zion) or as Eretz Yonah (land of the dove, which is symbolic of the people of Israel).

Even the bright white memorial is like a dove hovering over her grave.

Anyway, 335 = Rachel Imenu [רחל אמנו], "Rachel our mother".

And 335 is "upon the face of the waters" [על־פני המים] in Gen 1.2, re the Spirit of Elohim hovering over the waters, which in the classic commentaries is likened to a dove (Rashi).

These match with the initial 1177 souls lost on the Arizona, as 1177 = "the first lady" [הגברת הראשונה]

1177 + 335 =

The First Lady, Rachel Imenu.

Waiting for her two sons, Lou Conter and Ken Potts...

Thanks again. I'll let myself out..

[j.havenfarm]

You are most welcome, FRiend. If you like the movie Get the book if you can because the movie only scratches the surface. He’s lived more life than any 20 of us put together (ps I have no financial interest in the book)

[silverleaf]

Thanks for posting this

[Does so]

I’ve corresponded with Lou. Family has visited Lou in Grass Valley.

Two years later in the war, he was my Dad’s PBY co-pilot. All the crew survived a ditching after flares ignited in the aft compartment. They swam to an enemy-held island, harbored by friendly natives, and transported away by PT boat.

First words from native: “You talk Jesus-talk?”