GRASS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA – I first met Lou Conter about five years ago at his home in Grass Valley. I didn’t know what I was in for, only that I was interviewing a survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack. Realizing that opportunities to meet and interview people of this generation were becoming fewer and fewer, I immediately accepted the assignment. It would turn out to be one of the most memorable interviews of my career.
Lieutenant Commander Conter was then a quartermaster on board the USS Arizona when it was hit by a bomb. He clearly described the explosion that followed, causing the Arizona to lift out of the water before sinking in less than ten minutes. Immediately jumping into action, he used a lifeboat to rescue as many survivors as possible. After the attack, he volunteered to be part of the dive team that recovered those that lost their lives.
As America entered World War II, Conter became a pilot. He was shot down twice over the Pacific, but managed to row to shore both times.
Mr. Conter’s home had many documents, awards, and memorabilia on display from his career. Newspaper clippings, photographs, and even a piece of the Arizona itself. Even though he walked with the use of a cane, he had no problem showing us around his home. His career and experience was something he was proud of, and made his children and grandchildren even more proud.
Every year Conter made the trip to Hawaii for the Pearl Harbor memorial ceremony. The year I met him, his health had prevented him from flying, marking the first year he was unable to attend the event. At this point, he was one of about five survivors still alive. His hopes were to become well enough to fly to Hawaii the next year. He always looked forward to seeing his fellow shipmates and survivors, which he realized were becoming fewer and fewer as the years went on.
Lieutenant Commander Conter passed away in April this year at the age of 102. At the time of his death, he was the last survivor of the Arizona.
God bless you, Mr. Conter. Thank you for your service.
