Although I don't read all posts in the lounge, I do look at every title/subject line and do not recall seeing this posted.
Boatswain's Mate First Class Ken Potts died on Friday, April 21, 2023. He was 102 years old and was one of two remaining survivors of the USS Arizona. The last survivor of the Arizona is now Lou Conter, age 101.
Posted below is the first part of Mr. Potts' obituary, with a link to the full article.
"Born in Honey Bend, Illinois, Potts enlisted in the military on October 4, 1939, at the age of 18. World War II had already begun, though the United States was not yet officially involved. Just weeks later, he was assigned to the USS Arizona as a crane operator.
"Potts was shuttling supplies to the ship when the Japanese military launched a surprise attack on the naval installation at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941. He was ordered back to the ship, but by then, the harbor was ablaze. He helped to pull sailors out of the water and onto his boat; 1,177 crewmen died when the USS Arizona sank.
"Potts left the military with the rank of boatswain's mate first class at the end of the war and moved to Provo, Utah. He married his wife, Doris, in 1957, and the pair remained together until his death. Potts worked as a car salesman his entire life, becoming a public figure only as other survivors passed away."
Ken Potts obituary: USS Arizona survivor dies at 102 – Legacy.com
May the seas lie smooth before you. May a gentle breeze forever fill your sails. May sunshine warm your face, And kindness warm your soul.
Boatswain's Mate First Class Ken Potts died on Friday, April 21, 2023. He was 102 years old and was one of two remaining survivors of the USS Arizona. The last survivor of the Arizona is now Lou Conter, age 101.
Posted below is the first part of Mr. Potts' obituary, with a link to the full article.
"Born in Honey Bend, Illinois, Potts enlisted in the military on October 4, 1939, at the age of 18. World War II had already begun, though the United States was not yet officially involved. Just weeks later, he was assigned to the USS Arizona as a crane operator.
"Potts was shuttling supplies to the ship when the Japanese military launched a surprise attack on the naval installation at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941. He was ordered back to the ship, but by then, the harbor was ablaze. He helped to pull sailors out of the water and onto his boat; 1,177 crewmen died when the USS Arizona sank.
"Potts left the military with the rank of boatswain's mate first class at the end of the war and moved to Provo, Utah. He married his wife, Doris, in 1957, and the pair remained together until his death. Potts worked as a car salesman his entire life, becoming a public figure only as other survivors passed away."
Ken Potts obituary: USS Arizona survivor dies at 102 – Legacy.com
May the seas lie smooth before you. May a gentle breeze forever fill your sails. May sunshine warm your face, And kindness warm your soul.
Last edited:
...Ben
