Lou Conter Obituary, last living member of USS Arizona, died at 102

Lou Conter Obituary: the last living member of the USS Arizona, passed away earlier today at his residence in Grass Valley, California, at the remarkable age of 102.

According to a statement from Pacific Historic Parks, an organization devoted to preserving pivotal historical military locations in the Pacific, Conter passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones.

As reported by the Associated Press, Louann Daley, Conter’s daughter, revealed that he succumbed to congestive heart failure.

“This is a profoundly saddening loss. Lou Conter embodied the spirit of the Greatest Generation, whose collective bravery, achievements, and sacrifices safeguarded our nation from tyranny,” remarked Aileen Utterdyke, the president and CEO of Pacific Historic Parks.

“His naval career was exemplary, and he remained steadfast in urging schools, parents, and ordinary Americans to always honor the memory of Pearl Harbor.”

During the infamous attack on December 7, 1941, Conter, then a 20-year-old quartermaster, played a vital role in rescuing fellow crew members as they sought to escape the sinking vessel.

Among the 2,390 Americans who lost their lives in the assault, 1,177 were part of the Arizona’s crew.

Conter was among the fortunate 335 crew members of the Arizona who survived. The penultimate survivor was Ken Potts, who passed away last year in Provo, Utah, at the age of 102.

He survived two aircraft shoot-downs, including one near the coast of New Guinea, where he and his crew faced the daunting presence of sharks until they were rescued from the water.

Following World War II, Conter transitioned into intelligence work and flew combat missions during the Korean War.

He earned widespread respect within the military intelligence community, credited with contributing to the establishment of the Navy’s first Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) program.

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Additionally, he served as a military advisor to Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and Lyndon B. Johnson.

Conter had intended to participate in last year’s anniversary commemoration of the Pearl Harbor attack, but his health prevented him from undertaking the lengthy journey across the Pacific.

Nonetheless, his grandnephew, Marine Capt. Ray Hower, represented him at the ceremony, delivering the keynote address.