Community remembers Lou Conter, last survivor of attack on USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor
(FOX40.COM) — It was an emotional day in Grass Valley, where the community honored the life of Lou Conter.
Conter was the last living survivor from the USS Arizona battleship, which came under attack during the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
The casket of Conter was carried into Saint Patrick’s Church as the memorial service for the military hero got underway.
The streets were lined with American flags and people were reflecting on the legacy he left behind.
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Community members gathered to honor Conter who died at his home in Grass Valley at 102 years old following congestive heart failure.
“Lou has made our lives better and we appreciate him so much,” former Grass Valley Mayor Patti Spencer said.
Conter was standing on the main deck of the USS Arizona when Japanese planes flew overhead. Sailors were just beginning to hoist colors or raise the flag when the assault began.
The USS Arizona lost 1,177 sailors and Marines in the Dec. 7, 1941 attack that launched the United States into War World II.
Conter once recalled how a bomb pierced through the steel decks and set off more than a million pounds of gunpowder, which ignited an explosion.
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The explosion caused the ship to be lifted 30 to 40 feet out of the water. Despite the surrounding flames, Conter said he stayed aboard and helped other men on the ship who had been badly burned.
“It’s hard to imagine that he did that and then lived a long and prosperous life and got to 102 just amazing,” Army veteran John Spencer said.
According to the sons and daughters of Pearl Harbor survivors, there are currently 19 survivors from the attack following the death of Conter.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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