Posted on 04/01/2024 1:13:28 PM PDT by rdl6989
The sole living survivor from the sinking of the USS Arizona during the Pearl Harbor attack that brought the US into World War II has now died.
Lou Conter, who lived in Grass Valley, was 20 years old at the time of the attack on Dec. 7, 1941.
There were 2,403 Americans killed in the attack – including 1,177 of Arizona's crew. Conter was one of the only 335 officers and crewmen who survived.
Over the years, Conter shared his experiences and visited Hawaii for remembrance ceremonies.
"Minute it happened, we sounded general quarters and they were in there and we blew up in about eight minutes, nine minutes," Conter told CBS13 in 2022.
Contor went on to serve in three wars, flying 200 missions as a pilot -- and was even shot down twice.
On Monday, April 1, Conter's daughter confirmed that the veteran had died earlier in the morning. He was 102.
(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...
What a blessed run.
RIP, Airman.
God keep you, on your final flight.
Thank you for your service.
Rest in Peace.
A most respectful hand salute to you, Sir.
RIP
I suspect he died peacefully - unafraid as always...
I saw in the story about his death that only 119,000 WW II vets are still alive. That’s very few still left of the over 16 million who served.
1945 was 79 years ago ...The youngest WWII veterans would be late ‘90s age now.
RIP good sir!
For his Eagle Scout project my son made a video biography of Mr Conter, which I’ve posted here every Pearl Harbor day since 2017. I offer it now for the final time.
But Pearl Harbor barely scratches the surface. For anyone who wants to read an extremely inspiring life story I strongly recommend his autobiography from just a few years ago, The Lou Conter story, available on Amazon
I’m proud we became friends. I’m happy to tell you he was sharp to the end. A servant of the Lord, he told me a few months ago that he was not afraid to die and, when he appeared before the throne of the Lord he would say with his characteristic humility, “I did my best.”
The nation has lost one of its greatest sons today.
https://youtu.be/T_L0kWTqPiA?si=lQOTpnqM9EquCHy1
Wow
I don't know how true this is, but in it they said that Arizona survivors can choose to be buried in the wreckage.
God bless them, all.
Thank you for posting Mr Conter’s video biography.
And, for sharing a heartwarming part of his story, today.
Thank you.
RIP
April 1st? Because..
You might recall that for years, there’s been some lore that the oil seepage aka the tears of the Arizona will stop when the last of her crew is called home.
Yet in the past year or so, I’d looked it up again and it seemed as if the “lore” had morphed into it being the last of the *Pearl Harbor* survivors, not the USS Arizona specifically.
But that seemed bogus, considering that no one can define with any precision, “Pearl Harbor” survivors.
All ironic considering the date and what is the real lore versus the fake lore.
Fair winds and following seas, Lou Conter. It sure looks to me like you were the one chosen to wipe away the lady’s tears, however that is destined to happen.
April 1, with its own story and traditions about jokes and foolishness, laughter.
And thus passes an era.
May his Memory be Eternal!
Truly the greatest generation...RIP.
Because we sure need reminding.
One of my favorite passages is from Tales Of The South Pacific:
"These men of the South Pacific...like their victories, will be remembered as long as our generation lives. After that, like the men of the Confederacy, they will become strangers. Longer and longer shadows will obscure them until their Guadalcanal sounds distant on the ear like Shiloh and Valley Forge."
Brings a lump to my throat to see that. Might say "Pearl Harbor" instead of "Guadalcanal".
Yes. My Dad US Army in CBI-China-India-Burma and occupation of Japan. An aunt who was a US Army Nurse in ETO, An Uncle in US Army ETO.
Thank you for posting that great video.
That America is gone forever...so sad.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.