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The last remaining survivor of Pearl Harbor's USS Arizona has recalled the 'awful destruction' inflicted by the Japanese attack that killed 1,177 of his shipmates. Louis A. Conter, now aged 102, was just 20 years old when Japan's warplanes entered the sky above the US naval base in Hawaii on December 7, 1941. 'Aloha. There's one thing you've got to remember and that's to remember Pearl Harbor,' he said on Thursday in a taped message used to commemorate the 'Day of Infamy's' anniversary. A 1,760-pound armor-piecing bomb struck the USS Arizona leaving nearly 1,200 dead when the ship sank. The...

My friend Lou Conter was on the deck of the USS Arizona when the Japanese attacked on December 7. Today he’s one of two remaining survivors of the Arizona. I’m please to report he’s still well at 101. I visited him a few weeks ago, and will see this great man again this weekend. Since 2017 I’ve posted here each year my son’s 2017 Eagle Scout Project video biography of Mr Conter. In honor of him and all those who fell, and those who lived to fight on to victory, I present it again now. https://youtu.be/T_L0kWTqPiA

80 years after the day that will live in infamy, let’s remember the men who lost their lives on the USS Arizona. I’m so privileged that one of the two remaining Arizona survivors, Lt. Cmdr. Lou Conter (Ret.) has become a dear friend. I attended his 100th birthday celebration in September, and visited him recently. He’s doing great, but the rigors of traveling to Hawaii and attendance at the public observances would be a bit much. As I do every Pearl Harbor Day, I offer my son’s 2017 Eagle Scout project video biography of Mr Conter. https://youtu.be/T_L0kWTqPiA

DATELINE GRASS VALLEY, CA: Lieutenant Commander Lou Conter, USN (Ret.) celebrated his 100th birthday here in Grass Valley today. About 150 family, friends, military, law enforcement, and public officials were in attendance for the tribute to this great American. Mr Conter was on duty on the deck of the USS Arizona on December 7, 1941. He is one of only two survivors of the Arizona today. He went on to become a naval aviator and was shot down twice in his intrepid service in the South Pacific. He spent 35 years in the US Navy, working in intelligence and developing...

DATELINE GRASS VALLEY, CA: Lou Conter, one of two remaining survivors of the Japanese attack on the USS Arizona on December 7, 1941, celebrated his 99th birthday in this Sierra Nevada town today. Unable to hold a party due to COVID, the family asked friends to organize a surprise parade to drive by his bungalow at the Eskaton facility here. When law enforcement learned of the plans they enthusiastically joined in. The parade was led by about a dozen units of the California Highway Patrol, Cal Fire, and Nevada County Sheriff. About two dozen cars participated. Scouting is particularly close...

Mr Lou Conter was on duty on the deck of the USS Arizona when the Japanese attacked on December 7. He took part in the fruitless search and rescue efforts. Later he flew PBY “Black Cat” bombers in the Pacific theater. Two years ago my son made a documentary of Mr Conters experiences for his Eagle Scout project. Mr Conter has become a dear friend and we try to get out to see him every 6 or 8 weeks, though he lives some distance away. To meet him you’d think he’s the nicest guy on the planet, not knowing that...