RIP: Lou Conter Lt. CMDR. RET.

[Aktungbby]

Lou Conter, the final surviving crewmember of those aboard the USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, has passed away at 102, according to multiple reports.
Surrounded by family in Grass Valley, California, Conter took his final breath, his daughter told KCRA 3. The veteran had been in hospice for the past four weeks, the Sacramento, California-based TV station reported.
Conter is expected to receive a ceremony with full military honors, according to KCRA 3. Conter went on to survive being shot down in WWII
Conter was one of the 335 sailors aboard the USS Arizona who survived on Dec. 7, 1941. The Arizona lost 1,177 sailors and Marines during the Japanese attack, according to the National WWII Museum.
Several years later, a 20-year-old Conter, was quartermaster third class when his patrol bomber was shot down seven miles off the coast of New Guinea causing the seaplane's 10-man crew to fall into the Pacific Ocean. Once in the water, Conter and his crew were not alone.
"We had 10 or 12 sharks around us all the time," Conter recalled. "I told the men, 'If a shark comes close, hit it in the nose with your fist as hard as you can.'" Conter would serve through World War II before going to Korea. He then taught U.S. troops survival, evasion, resistance and escape skills in 1954. His legacy includes helping establish training bases in Florida and California, and in 1965 he came back to Pearl Harbor to author a training manual for troops heading to Vietnam. Conter ultimately retired from the Navy in 1967, settled in Palm Springs and had a flourishing real estate career in California where he bought land for commercial and residential projects. He was a lieutenant commander at the time of his retirement. When Conter was 93 years old he said everything he endured throughout his career was a part of his job, a sentiment he shared with every soldier and airman who took his classes.
Conter was also a part of the USS Arizona Reunion Association allowing him to stay in touch with the few remaining survivors. When the country lost 102-year-old Ken Potts in April 2023, Conter became the last living survivor aboard the USS Arizona.
"They call a lot of us heroes, and I've always said we are not the heroes,” Conter told KCRA 3. “Heroes are the ones right there that day that lost their lives. 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." < key on "watch on U-Tube"

[em2nought]

RIP, hard to believe that there was even one still alive to this point. My dad was still in training in the states by the end of the war, and he's been gone almost twenty years now.

[Eichhörnchen]

Rest in Peace, old lad - your place in the tapestry of history and glory is assured

[Platapus]

Much respect, Sir

[August]

Originally Posted by em2nought

RIP, hard to believe that there was even one still alive to this point. My dad was still in training in the states by the end of the war, and he's been gone almost twenty years now.

I think there are survivors shown on the right side of that picture, maybe even Lou Conter himself. Notice that unlike the Fore Mast, the Main Mast is looks relatively untouched. Aft is definitely where you wanted to be on the Old Arizona on that day.

[Shadowblade]

F

[Commander Wallace]

Rest in peace Lt. CMDR. Lou Conter.
The sneak attack at Pearl Harbor saw my Grandfather and many great Uncles and I'm sure many other relatives that people have / had enter World War 2. My Grandfather and a few great Uncles In the U.S Navy and Marines chased the Japanese forces across the Pacific and many Island hopping campaigns.

One Great story from the Pearl Harbor attack was that of Doris Miller. Doris was a Navy Cook who when his ship was attacked manned an Anti-aircraft gun without any training and shot down one enemy Aircraft. Eye witnesses put that number at four to six aircraft. When his guns ran out of ammunition, Doris helped a number of wounded sailors including his Commanding Officer while under continued attack by the Japanese. Doris received the Navy Cross from Admiral Chester Nimitz. In fact, Doris was eligible for the Medal of Honor. Racism being as rampant and pervasive as it was then, was denied this Medal and acknowledgement.

Quote: Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox—who opposed Black sailors serving the United States in any combat role—recommended against Miller receiving the Medal of Honor. Indeed, not a single Black sailor, soldier, or marine was awarded the Medal of Honor between 1941 and 1945, and in 1996 Vernon J. Baker was the only Black veteran of World War II to be awarded this decoration while yet alive.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doris_Miller


These men and women like Lt. CMDR. Lou Conter, Doris Miller and many others of this time were called the greatest generation for a good reason.

[HW3]

RIP Lt. CMDR. Lou Conter.