Lou Conter (on the right) (Photo: Lucas Carter)
Lou Conter, American Legion Frank Gallino Post 130 member and the last survivor of the USS Arizona, the battleship sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, has passed away on April 1 at the age of 102.
Born in Ojibwa, Wisconsin, in 1921, Conter enlisted in the Navy at the age of 18, driven by a sense of duty and patriotism. During the fateful attack on December 7, 1941, Conter served as a quartermaster on the USS Arizona. The attack resulted in the loss of 1,177 sailors and Marines, and propelled the United States into World War II. Conter vividly recalled the chaos as Japanese planes descended upon the ship, igniting a devastating explosion that claimed many lives and plunged the vessel into the depths of the ocean.
Following the attack, Conter and other survivors courageously tended to the wounded amid the wreckage. They remained onboard until they were certain that all possible survivors had been rescued. Tragically, more than 900 sailors and Marines remain entombed within the rusting remains of the Arizona to this day.
After Pearl Harbor, Conter pursued flight training and became a pilot for PBY patrol bombers. He flew numerous combat missions in the Pacific, including nighttime operations with the renowned “Black Cats” squadron, which specialized in dive bombing enemy targets.
In 1943, Conter faced another ordeal when his aircraft was shot down near New Guinea. Stranded in shark-infested waters, he and his crew displayed remarkable resilience until they were eventually rescued.
Conter’s contributions to the Navy extended beyond combat missions. In the late 1950s, he became the Navy’s first SERE officer, responsible for training personnel in survival tactics. His expertise proved invaluable, with some of his students later applying his teachings during their captivity as prisoners of war in Vietnam.
In his later years, Conter continued to honor the memory of those who perished at Pearl Harbor by attending commemorative events and sharing his experiences. Despite being hailed as a hero by many, he humbly deflected such statements, insisting that the true heroes were those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
As his health declined, Conter found solace surrounded by loved ones. He succumbed to congestive heart failure on Monday in Grass Valley, California, his daughter Louann Daley confirmed. Present during his final moments were his daughter and two of his sons, James and Jeff. He is survived by his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and numerous other relatives. Plans for his funeral, where he will be laid to rest beside his late wife Valerie, are underway.
With Conter’s passing, the number of Pearl Harbor survivors dwindles further. Only 19 survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack remain, according to The Associated Press. Yet, their stories of courage and sacrifice will forever remain etched in American history.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.
