Lou Conter, an American naval officer and a remarkable survivor, passed away on April 1, 2024, at the age of 102. His life was intertwined with significant historical events, and his resilience left an indelible mark:
- Early Life: Born on September 13, 1921, in Ojibwa, Wisconsin, Lou Anthony Conter was the son of Nicholas Anthony Conter and Lottie Esther Milligan. He had one older and one younger sister. His family moved across several states before settling in Denver, Colorado. Conter eventually joined the US Navy in 1939 and completed basic training in San Diego, California.
- Pearl Harbor: On the fateful morning of December 7, 1941, Conter was stationed on the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor. As a quartermaster, he witnessed the devastating attack by Japanese torpedo planes and bombers. The ship was struck by a massive bomb, igniting its ammunition magazine. Despite injuries and chaos, Conter helped fellow sailors and saved lives as the Arizona sank in just nine minutes, claiming the lives of 1,177 crew members.
- Last Survivor: Following the death of Ken Potts in April 2023, Conter became the last known survivor of the sinking of the USS Arizona. His courage and resilience during that tragic event left an enduring legacy.
Lou Conter’s passing marks the end of an era, but his memory will forever be etched in history.