Lou Conter in 2022. — © AP
The last survivor of the USS Arizona, the warship that sank during the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, has died at the age of 102. This was reported by an association in memory of the victims of the attack.
Source: BELGA
Today at 05:39
Lou Conter was a 20-year-old petty officer on the ship on December 7, 1941, when the Japanese launched a surprise attack on the American fleet in the Pacific.
The bombing, which prompted the U.S. to enter World War II, damaged or destroyed most of the U.S. fleet stationed in Hawaii. More than 2,000 Americans were killed. More than 1,100 people were killed aboard the USS Arizona.
Conter, who helped soldiers during the attack, became a pilot during World War II. His plane was shot down twice. This happened once off the coast of Papua New Guinea, where he and his crew ended up in a sea full of sharks.
Advisor to presidents
He also flew combat missions in Korea and established a survival training program within the Navy.
During his career, Conter served as a military advisor to Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.
The former soldier died Monday at home in California, surrounded by his family, the Pacific Historic Parks organization said on Facebook.
“Lou Conter epitomized what it means to be part of the greatest generation of Americans, whose collective courage, achievements and sacrifices saved our country from tyranny,” said organization executive director Aileen Utterdyke. “He had an exemplary career in the Navy and has consistently urged schools, parents and everyday Americans to never forget Pearl Harbor.”
