Last Survivor of USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor Attack, Lou Conter, Passes Away at 102

Lou Conter, the last remaining survivor of the USS Arizona, the Navy battleship tragically sunk during the infamous Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, has passed away at the remarkable age of 102.

Surrounded by his family at his residence in Grass Valley, California, Conter peacefully breathed his last on Monday, April 1, 2024, as confirmed by Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and Pacific Historic Parks, with Conter’s daughter Louann Daley providing the information.

Conter’s steadfast commitment to preserving the memory of the Pearl Harbor attack was unwavering.

Through interviews, a book, and his attendance at commemorative services, he ensured that the world remembered the devastating bombing, which claimed the lives of 1,177 crew members and propelled the United States into World War II.

A mere 20-year-old quartermaster at the time, Conter displayed remarkable courage and heroism as he assisted in the rescue efforts amidst the chaos of December 7, 1941.

He vividly recounted the harrowing experience in his autobiography, “The Lou Conter Story: From USS Arizona Survivor to Unsung American Hero,” detailing the catastrophic moment when a Japanese armor-piercing bomb struck the battleship, igniting a massive explosion.

Following the Pearl Harbor attack, Conter’s military career flourished, and he eventually became a VP-11 Black Cat pilot, participating in nocturnal operations that remained concealed from enemy vessels in the darkness of the Pacific Ocean.

After an illustrious 28-year service in the Navy, Conter retired in December 1967, as documented by the National WWII Museum. Born in northern Wisconsin in 1921, Conter enlisted in the Navy shortly after turning 18, embarking on a journey marked by bravery and sacrifice.

Reflecting on his wartime experiences, Conter humbly rejected the label of hero, attributing true heroism to those who made the ultimate sacrifice on that fateful day.

In his own words, “They gave everything up. We got back to the States. We got married. We had kids and grandkids. We are still here. They were lost forever right then and there.”