Warren Upton, the oldest living survivor of the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the last remaining survivor of the USS Utah, passed away at the age of 105. Upton died in a hospital in California after battling pneumonia. The USS Utah, a battleship, was moored at Pearl Harbor when Japanese planes began bombing the naval base on December 7, 1941, marking the start of World War II. Upton recounted feeling the first torpedo hit the ship as he was preparing to shave, leading to the ship listing and eventually capsizing. He managed to swim ashore to Ford Island, where he sought refuge in a trench to evade Japanese planes.
Upton’s accounts of the attack were shared in an interview with The Associated Press in 2020. Although he was willing to speak about his experiences, he expressed distress over losing many shipmates over the years. By the time of his death, only two other crew members of the USS Utah were still alive, highlighting the dwindling number of survivors. Upton’s ordeal during the attack included swimming to safety and hiding in a trench on Ford Island until he was rescued by a passing truck. Despite the trauma of the attack, Upton remained willing to discuss his memories of that fateful day.
The attack on Pearl Harbor involved an estimated 87,000 military personnel on Oahu. Military historian J. Michael Wenger noted that after Upton’s death, there are only 15 survivors of the attack still alive. The passing of Upton represents a significant loss in terms of living witnesses to one of the most pivotal events in American history. The dwindling number of survivors serves as a sobering reminder of the passage of time and the need to preserve the memories and stories of those who experienced the attack firsthand. Upton’s death not only marks the loss of a brave survivor but also underscores the importance of honoring and remembering the sacrifices and bravery of those who served during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Upton’s passing brings to an end a chapter in history represented by the dwindling number of survivors of the USS Utah and the attack on Pearl Harbor. As the last remaining survivor of his ship, Upton’s death highlights the fading connections to a pivotal moment in American history that shaped the course of World War II. The significance of Upton’s experiences and those of his fellow survivors underscores the importance of preserving their stories for future generations. The gradual loss of survivors underscores the need to ensure their stories are recorded and shared to honor the sacrifices made during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Upton’s legacy will endure through the memories and accounts of his experiences during that fateful day in 1941.
While Warren Upton’s death marks the passing of the oldest living survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack and the USS Utah, his legacy lives on through the memories he shared and the impact he made in preserving the history of this significant event. Upton’s willingness to recount his experiences and his lasting memories of the attack serve as a powerful reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of those who served during that tumultuous time. As the number of survivors dwindles, it becomes increasingly important to remember and honor the stories of those who lived through the events of December 7, 1941. Warren Upton’s passing serves as a poignant reminder of the value of preserving the firsthand accounts of survivors and honoring their contributions to history.
