Lou Conter, Last Survivor of the Battleship Arizona, Dies at 102

[oldbrownhat]

Escaping injury in the Japanese attack on the ship in Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, he went on to help in recovering bodies and putting out fires.

Article here.

..."The ship was consumed in a giant fireball," he wrote in his memoir.

Mr. Conter, who was knocked forward but uninjured, tended to survivors, many of them blinded and badly burned. When the order to abandon ship came, he was knee deep in water. A lifeboat took him ashore, and in the days that followed he helped in recovering bodies and putting out fires. Only 93 of those who were aboard the ship at the time lived; 242 other crew members were ashore...

 

[Onomea]

Rest in peace. A grateful nation remembers.

 

[Rudi]

RIP. A day that will live in infamy.

 

[CH4]

RIP Sailor
The last of the best!

 

[Old 44 Guy]

Great story about a true hero. I once worked with 3 guys that were in Pearl then and in the Navy that day. All were on different ships and never knew each other till they worked after the war for Ma Bell. They are all long gone now.

 

[bgrafsr]

Legend has it that after the last survivor of the Arizona dies, the fuel oil leaking from the ship will stop.

 

[dmar]

May this American hero rest in peace alongside his fallen comrades…

 

[Roofuss]

Thank you sir for your service, Gods speed, and may you rest in peace .

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Rest in peace Quartermaster Conter.

You're not forgotten.

 

[BRatliff]

These men and women were truly "The Greatest Generation". My maternal Grandfather and three of my Father's brothers also served. Sadly, they are all gone now as well.

I wonder if the youth of America could answer the call today if the need should arise. i would like to think so, but have my doubts.

Rest In Peace Quartermaster Conter. Thank you for your service to preserve the American way of life for the rest of us.