Lou Conter, last survivor of USS Arizona from Pearl Harbor attack, dies at 102

Lou Conter, the last survivor of the USS Arizona battleship that sank during the Pearl Harbor attack, has died at the age of 102. Conter, who passed away in Grass Valley, California, was alongside his daughter and two sons.

Conter was a quartermaster on the Arizona during the attack, vividly recalling the devastation caused by enemy bombs. Despite the chaos, Conter and other survivors tended to the wounded. They stayed on board until all possible survivors were rescued. Following Pearl Harbor, Conter became a pilot, flying combat missions in the Pacific during World War II. He later became the Navy’s first SERE officer, training personnel on survival techniques. Despite his heroism, Conter always insisted that the true heroes were the thousands who lost their lives in the attack.

In his later years, Conter remained dedicated to honoring their memory, participating in remembrance ceremonies, and emphasizing the importance of respecting those who perished.

For more information see Audrey McAvoy “Lou Conter, last survivor of USS Arizona from Pearl Harbor attack, dies at 102”, AP News, April 1, 2024.