Lou Conter, the last known survivor of the U.S.S. Arizona, which was sunk during the attack on Pearl Harbor, passed away at the age of 102 at his home in Grass Valley, California. He was a quartermaster on the ship when it was hit by a Japanese bomb on December 7, 1941, causing a massive explosion that killed many of his fellow sailors. Despite being knocked forward, he helped tend to survivors and participated in the recovery efforts after the attack. Only 93 of those on board the Arizona survived.
After the attack, Mr. Conter went on to attend Navy flight school and flew over 200 combat missions in the Pacific during World War II. He also served in the Korean War, flying 29 combat missions and working as an intelligence officer for a Navy aircraft carrier group. In addition, he helped establish the Navy’s first SERE program, training Navy airmen on how to survive if shot down behind enemy lines. He retired from the Navy in 1967 as a lieutenant commander.
Born in Ojibwa, Wisconsin, in 1921, Lou Conter joined the Navy in 1939 and reported for duty on the Arizona in 1940. Throughout his life, he was married three times, had six children, and numerous grandchildren. He lived a full life after his military service, working as a real estate broker and developer in the Los Angeles area. Even in his later years, he paid homage to his fallen shipmates every morning and maintained a collection of memorabilia from the Arizona in his home.
Despite being one of the few remaining survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack, Mr. Conter never considered himself a hero. He believed that the true heroes were the 2,403 men who lost their lives that day. He participated in annual memorial services at Pearl Harbor until his health no longer allowed, honoring the memory of all those who perished in the attack. The U.S.S. Arizona Memorial, which straddles the sunken hull of the ship, commemorates the lives lost on December 7, 1941, and serves as a National Historic Landmark.
As the last known survivor of the U.S.S. Arizona, Lou Conter’s passing marks the end of an era. Throughout his life, he honored the memory of his fallen shipmates, never seeking to glorify his own role in history. His experiences during World War II and beyond exemplify a generation of Americans who served their country with courage and dedication. Lou Conter’s legacy will forever be intertwined with the history of the attack on Pearl Harbor and the sacrifices made by those who served on the U.S.S. Arizona.
