“Last Link to Pearl Harbor: Beloved Veteran Passes Away at 105, Leaves Behind a Legacy of Memory”

Title: Last Surviving USS Utah Crew Member of Pearl Harbor Attack Passes Away at 105

Warren Upton, the last surviving crew member of the USS Utah, has passed away at the age of 105. Upton was the oldest survivor of the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, which drew the United States into World War II. As the USS Utah’s final survivor, Upton’s death marks the end of an era, leaving only 14 other survivors of the attack still alive.

According to Kathleen Farley, the California president of Pearl Harbor Survivors, Upton died on Wednesday at a hospital in Los Gatos, California, due to complications from pneumonia.

The USS Utah, a Battleship named the USS Utah (AG-16) before its sinking, was anchored at Pearl Harbor on the morning of December 7, 1941, when the Japanese launched a surprise attack on the United States’ naval base. The attack would prove to be a pivotal moment in American history, altering the course of the country’s involvement in World War II.

On the fateful day, Upton, then 22 years old, was on the USS Utah, preparing to shave when the first torpedo struck. The subsequent impact of a second torpedo caused the ship to list and capsize, trapping Upton and his crewmates.

Recalling the chaotic events of that morning, Upton related to The Associated Press in 2020 that he managed to swim to the nearby Ford Island, leaping into trenches to avoid Japanese planes strafing the area. Upton stayed there for approximately 30 minutes before a truck arrived to transport him to safety.

Although Upton had become accustomed to discussing the events of that day, what remained most distressing for him was the prolonged loss of his shipmates over the years. By the time 2020 arrived, only he and two other crew members remained from the USS Utah.

Historian J. Michael Wenger verified that an estimated 87,000 military personnel were present on Oahu on the day of the attack. After Upton’s passing, this number dwindled down to only 15 individuals.

During his life, Upton dedicated himself to advocating for the stories of those involved in the attack. By drawing attention to the historical legacy of the USS Utah, Upton remembered his fallen shipmates and struggled to ensure that their sacrifice remained a timeless and powerful symbol of resilience in times of conflict.

FAQs

Q: Who was Warren Upton?
A: Warren Upton was the last surviving crew member of the USS Utah, which was involved in the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and the oldest survivor of the attack.

Q: What exactly happened on the day of the attack?
A: On December 7, 1941, Japanese planes launched a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, throwing the United States into World War II.

Q: How many people were on Oahu on the day of the attack?
A: According to military historian J. Michael Wenger, there were an estimated 87,000 military personnel on Oahu on the day of the attack.

Q: Who verified the statistics of surviving crew members?
A: Historian J. Michael Wenger stated that after Warren Upton’s passing, only 15 people remained alive.

Q: What affected Warren Upton most during his lifetime?
A: Upton’s enduring concern was the prolonged loss of his shipmates over the years.

Conclusion

Warren Upton passed away, marking the end of an era for a generation who witnessed one of the pivotal chapters in American history. With the passing of the USS Utah’s last survivor, our nation loses a piece of its historical heritage. Yet the courageous legacy of Upton, and those of his crewmates, will remain untarnished in our collective memory and down in history books.