This week, District 2 Supervisor and Board Chair Ed Scofield delivered a letter signed by Governor Gavin Newsom honoring World War II veteran and retired Navy Lieutenant Commander Lou Conter, who is the last living survivor of the attack on the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor.
“Lieutenant Commander Conter has served our country well,” Scofield said. “It’s truly an honor to present this letter from our California Governor to Lou.”
Conter enlisted in the Navy in 1939 and was stationed aboard the USS Arizona on the tragic morning of December 7th, 1941. He was one of only 334 crew members from the USS Arizona to survive this “day of infamy.” Another 1,102 service members were entombed in the wreckage.
The City of Grass Valley, the Grass Valley Downtown Association, and the County of Nevada jointly recognized Mr. Conter on May 20th during the second annual Armed Forces Day event. The recognition included a WWII vintage aircraft flying over Main Street, and both Congressman Kevin Kiley and Senator Brian Dahle were in attendance to present Conter with certificates of recognition.
Chair Scofield had a chance to speak with Conter, who was grateful for the community’s recognition of his service. Conter served 28 years on active duty, fought in three wars, and served as an aide to Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson. He retired in 1968.
Conter said “I’m not a hero. My fellow crewmates who didn’t make it out alive are the heroes. I’ll never forget them.”