Lou Conter, last survivor of USS Arizona from Pearl Harbor attack, dies at 102
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- čas přidán 6. 09. 2024
- Lou Conter, the last living survivor of the USS Arizona battleship that exploded and sank during the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, has died. He was 102.
The crew of the USS Arizona are finally reunited
My father inlaw passed away in 2019 at 94. He enlisted in the Navy in 1942 at 16. He lied about his age, reason being he had two brothers that were POW in the Philippines and another in combat fighting in Guadalcanal. He was stationed on the USS Salt Lake and later the USS Kearsarge. All made it home alive but hardly talked about the war. This old salt passing at 102 shows how great this generation was. If you have family or friends that are a WW2 vets, spend as much time as you can with them and thank God your in their graces. USN vet Gunners Mate 2nd class 84-90...
@@0159ralph My Great Grandpa was also in the Navy during WW2, enlisted in 43 at the age of 17, had his father sign a form saying he was 18. He was part of the force that liberated Guam.
@@0159ralph And PLEASE remember to record, somehow, their stories and remembrances. I have heard of, I can't remember how many stories I've heard of, 'gee, I wish I would have recorded that story', or 'I wish I could remember what he said about that'. RECORD THEM. WRITE THEM DOWN. Not only for your families memories, but the rest of us, too. Check with the Library of Congress. They can help.
It evokes the image of the executive officer of the USS Arizona, somewhere in heaven, approaching the captain and formally announcing "Captain! I beg to report all crew are now present and accounted for, sir!".
@@Ryarios This made me cry 😢
From someone who has never served. Thank you Sir, from a British Civilian, we enjoy The Freedom we have Today Because of People like You 🙏
May I say from Texas that we here in the states tend to downplay or be naive to the contributions of the British, the France and a dozen other other countries that we fought along side. From the Poles who finally took Monte Casino to the Brits and Indians who fought at Imphal, to the Native coast watchers. We should have it in us to say thanks as well.
Can't help but cry every time I visit the Arizona. The price those boy's paid should be ingrained in every American. Sadly....December 7th barely gets a mention and with this loss will receive even less.
I totally agree. We now have politicians who want to rewrite history.
I ask my grandsons every Dec 7 if they teach them anything about pearl harbor sadly the schools don't mention anything about it
Did you serve your country?
@@buzz5969 For a bit…
This generation doesn't care, they only care about how many views they get on tik tok
It's no wonder that this generation is called the Greatest Generation.
I served in the Army in Hawaii from 1980 to 84. I enlisted for three years and when my tour was about to expire I reenlisted. I had the honor and privilege to reenlist aboard the USS Arizona. At the time this was allowed. It is a humbling and solemn experience that I will never forget it. I also have the flag that was run up the mast as a souvenir. These men gave all and they deserve to be honored.
Rest in Peace LCDR Conter.
To me this is a big thing. This should have received so much more attention.
Thank you for your service and sacrifice sir. May God bless you and your family.
A fitting and peaceful and for such a long lived and experienced man.
Rest easy, Sir. Your shipmates will always be remembered and loved.
RIP, he was a true American hero!
It was common knowledge the japanese military were happy to die for the emperor...Our military heroes back then worked long and hard keeping the japanese military happy.
As a 20th century battleship/battlecruiser enthusiast, this is hard to swallow. But on the bright side, Arizona and the other battleships will be around long after we all pass on. Their rich history will forever be told. Thank you, Lou Conter. Rest in peace with your loved ones and all of your crew.
America is a much different country without you. Tha Arizona will live on Sir. True patriots never forget the sacrifices of our brother fighting men an women. You are precious.
What many do not know is that the Arizona was not supposed to be at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7th. She was supposed to leave the week prior to go to San Francisco to be upgraded with a radar unit. However, during fleet maneuvers in early November, she was damaged when colliding with another ship and had to undergo repairs before beginning the return to the USA. This kept her in port. It is something that a rare turn of fate would have resulted in less than a 1,000 deaths had the Arizona not been there.
I remember visiting the Arizona memorial some years ago. In front of me were German tourists; to my side were Italians and behind me were Japanese,
So thankful to God Almighty for men like Naval Airman Lou Conter. One among many that Served our Country bravely and valiantly !❤️🇺🇸
Thank you for your service.
Thank you for the 83 years of continued democracy and freedoms that your sacrifices procured for my generation. Your fight against Fascism and Imperialism defined your generation as truly the Greatest Generation. I only wish I could guarantee democracy and freedom for my children and grandchildren. Not looking to good at the moment.
The crew has been reunited. Rest in Peace LCDR.
Fair winds and following seas, Sir.
Now they are all together again. Rest in peace
Just visited Arizona at long last a few weeks ago with my wife who is from Japan. It was surreal experience....
Thank you for your service LCDR Conter. R.I.P. 🇺🇸⚓️
God bless this Gentleman. ❤ to his family
Fair Winds & Following Seas Sir. 🇺🇸 🏴☠️
I visited Pearl Harbor 2 times. Once in 1973 as a 23 yr old single guy, and in 2005 with my wife Nancy. My late father and 4 of his brothers were all WW2 veterans. My Dad passed away in 2011 at the age of 92. Up until the day he died he never trusted the Japanese!
Guess he didnt eat Ramen or sushi either?
@@buzz5969 What are you, some kind of Comedian? Your real funny you should go on tour
This so reminds me of my late grandparents. My grandfather had to hide in a haystack for a long time here in the Netherlands. And even though my grandparents got to live near the German border after the war, they've never went into Germany. Or trusted the Germans.
Fair winds and following seas, rest in peace.
May he rest in peace and thank you so much for trying to keep the memory of your shipmates alive a bit longer. My grandfather's cousin First Class Harold Eugene Beggs unfortunately did not survive the USS Arizona attack.
Thank you for your service. I fear as time passes future generations will forget or ignore. May God Bless all you have served, now serving and will serve. 🙏
RIP SAILOR!
Thanks for your service Sir
My respects...thank you sir.
God Bless you Lou, and those who served with you!!!❤😔🇺🇸🙏
Semper fidelis, buddy. Thank you, sir. God bless you. USMC.
Rest in Peace, sir. An American Hero and Patriot.🇺🇸🌻
Rip
SAD! Thank you Sir, For your SERVICE! (POST) John P.
Rest in peace sir, thank you for your service ❤
Last of Greatest generation EVER
.GREAT LIFE
This is my Father's generation and the world will never see the likes of these American hero's ever again.
I met him in December 2019 at a hotel in Hawaii. He was having lunch at a table next to us and I noted he was wearing a USS Arizona hat. Saw him in the lobby the next day and learned who he was. Later an announcement was made on the PA system recognizing him.
God Bless, thank you for your service. The Greatest Generation!
Honor and respect to him and all those who are part of The Greatest Generation.
So much is owed to this man and his generation...The Greatest.
never forgotten
Rest in peace....thank God for him and all our soldiers and their families.
They're all gone.
...but not forgotten!
A sad day in America. An American Hero who was the last living Pearl Harbor surviver of the USS Arizona is no longer here to remind us of his history. May you forever find peace in heaven. SEMPER FIDELIS 🇺🇸🎖️🙏✌️
Fair winds and following seas Sir. You are relieved, rest well Sailor. We have the watch.
ETC(SS) D. E. Wells, USN (Retired).
Rest in peace soldier. Thank you all who serve.
the complete definition of a badass rest in peace Lou thank you for your service we’ll take control of it from here you may finally rest
Thanku young man
God Bless our Service Members
Fair winds and following seas, Lou, journey well!
God bless you. As He blessed America with your lifetime of sacrifice. From 1 Squid to another " Fair Winds and Following Seas ".
Another member of the Greatest Generation gone. RIP.
RIP Sir, we have the watch now.
Wow .thankyou sir for your service to our country 😊
R.I.P sir. *I salute you and pray for you as well🙏
My condolences to the family.
RIP sir, we will remember. We will tell your stories. We will not forget the price paid for us.
God rest you Louis. Thank you for your sacrifice to insure my freedom.
Rest at peace sir! We have the watch now.
God, Grant him rest and peace…
"Just remember: Surviving is the best revenge, no matter what the disaster has been.” - Joan Rivers.
Fair Winds and Following Seas Sailor your wife & brothers are waiting for you in Paradise.
92 survived on the ship, 242 were ashore.
RIP Lou. You were a fine good sailor.
From a son of a sailor, rest in peace sir. You have joined your lost comrades.
Rest well Sir.
R. I. P. mate.
She was built at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. in 1915.
God Bless.
RIP Lou !!
God rest his soul. God bless our troops
Prayers.
Rip sir
Brass covered.. steel balls
True Heroe, RIP Sir .
RIP sir. 🇬🇧 🇺🇸
Maybe now Arizona can stop shedding her tears.
RIP HERO
The ship in heaven now has its full crew back together
Shame what the world has turned into since then.
A true Heroe
He started seare, fging legend.
Rest in peace you have done your time.
About as significant as claiming he was the last person to have his own fingerprints. Length of stay is not the point.
Such occasions have always been celebrated. In this instance a little more reflection occurs when you realized now the entire crew of the vessel is where ever we go when we draw our last breath. Same thing occured when the last survivor of HMS Hood passed. The last Australian who served at Gallipoli. Its just what we do
@@glenchapman3899 magical or mystical thinking... certainly his passing was important to family, friends, and perhaps families of already deceased comrades, but beyond that not so much other than mythologizing WWII.
Requiescat in pace.
"They never saw themselves as heroes." - Nope, they never do. But they earned that status. Ordinary men and women, doing extra-ordinary deeds.
Requiesce in pace, may the USS Arizona (BB-39) & Pennsylvania (BB-38) along with their respective crew members be reunited in the great beyond, may the light of Elysiium grant you passage across Hades domain to your final resting place,
Fair Winds and Following Seas Shipmate! May you finally Rest In Peace. We now have the watch Sir!
💐🙏😔
God rest his soul now he can join his shipmates again
"Ecscape"
Never mess with the Japanese imperial heroes.
In the 1990's I had to work in Hawaii every December and I would often be there for Pearl Harbor Day and I would end up being on flights with survivors. I am glad I got to meet some of them. One of my friends was on the USS Nevada too. Glad to have known many of the anti-facists heroes! Sad to see their sacrifices have not helped us to keep the fascists that support Trump from destroying American democracy.
The Japanese won in the end. They just bought the place
ShameRIP
Fair Winds and Following Seas Shipmate. Honor, Courage, Commitment. 🇺🇸🫡