My Uncle Seaman Second Class Harry Smith, who entered the U.S. Navy from California, was aboard the Arizona on the day of the Pearl Harbor attack and was among the men lost with the ship. His remains were not recovered. Today, Seaman Second Class Smith is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
I have been to the memorial and it is very moving!!!! I am happy this man was a survivor who could tell the story!
That memorial is something else. When I went in 2008, I was privileged to note the unveiling of a sailor's name who had been interred with his shipmates.
I rendered honors to the USS Arizona, as is traditional for all Navy ships entering port. So I saluted your uncle in addition to all the other ship's company lost.
This happened before I was born but my father had the plaque in his study and I was very aware of this loss and how it impacted his family. I became aware early that people die in war and it’s a family sacrifice. I have mentioned before my father was an attorney and Jewish and he put interred Japanese families property in trust and successfully restored it to them after the war.
Hi Judith, you are fortunate to have had a father not only wise but compassionate. My father was far less educated than yours, but was also a kind and compassionate man. Its too bad more men weren't like them - and women too.
I have always believed I won the parent lottery. I knew very young I was ‘different.” I was raised as a Presbyterian but my closest friends were Jewish. There were guys who couldn’t take me home. My parents were open to everyone! I never knew who would be at the kitchen table offered a meal or a few dollars. It’s a liberating way to grow up! I have tried my best to set a course for my now grown sons, and I have succeeded!
I was and like everyone there have been deep valleys. I just have kept going. That’s what we do. I am tenacious by nature and I look for ways to get through a door, if not then around it, over it or under it! Do not succumb to negativity or defeatism. My parents were lifelong Republicans and my mother made it to 103 in 2017! She did not vote for Trump but she could not bring herself to vote Democrat so she wrote in Ben Carson!
We are running out of "Lasts". Those of us that remember and cherish them are on an ever shortening list as well. You are doing yeomans work these days, Tom. Great writing and on the mark.
Thank you for helping to preserve the nation's important history by recounting this man's stated memories. Not only did the Greatest Generation tough out the Great Depression, but some of them soldiered on in two wars. American women rose to the occasion as well. And when WWII was over those same people turned to the task of building the country, enabled by the GI Bill. Additionally, many of them became political leaders whose message was one of teamwork and community, not the crass competitive greed and ego displays we see today. Mr. Conter will be resting in a well earned peace. Condolences to all who knew and loved him.
One less survivor around who experienced the 2nd World War. Young people today really have no comprehension of our history - wars and too much else. And I guess some people are more than happy to leave it that way.
Fair winds and following seas, Lt. Commander. Thanks to your work, we are where we are today, as are any number of pilots helped by the SERE school(s) you taught.
Despite his words, Mr Contor is a hero, may he rest in peace: we're so very grateful for his service.
My great Uncle Arthur Wynant was a Pearl Harbor survivor - he was stationed on the USS Medusa. He passed away in 2017 and was the last survivor in Shasta County California. He was one of the best and sweetest men I've ever known. I loved him very much. ♥️
My Uncle Seaman Second Class Harry Smith, who entered the U.S. Navy from California, was aboard the Arizona on the day of the Pearl Harbor attack and was among the men lost with the ship. His remains were not recovered. Today, Seaman Second Class Smith is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
I have been to the memorial and it is very moving!!!! I am happy this man was a survivor who could tell the story!
That memorial is something else. When I went in 2008, I was privileged to note the unveiling of a sailor's name who had been interred with his shipmates.
I rendered honors to the USS Arizona, as is traditional for all Navy ships entering port. So I saluted your uncle in addition to all the other ship's company lost.
I'm so sorry to hear about your uncle, Judith.
Even for those of us who lost no one we knew, it is a very moving experience, Judith
This happened before I was born but my father had the plaque in his study and I was very aware of this loss and how it impacted his family. I became aware early that people die in war and it’s a family sacrifice. I have mentioned before my father was an attorney and Jewish and he put interred Japanese families property in trust and successfully restored it to them after the war.
Hi Judith, you are fortunate to have had a father not only wise but compassionate. My father was far less educated than yours, but was also a kind and compassionate man. Its too bad more men weren't like them - and women too.
I have always believed I won the parent lottery. I knew very young I was ‘different.” I was raised as a Presbyterian but my closest friends were Jewish. There were guys who couldn’t take me home. My parents were open to everyone! I never knew who would be at the kitchen table offered a meal or a few dollars. It’s a liberating way to grow up! I have tried my best to set a course for my now grown sons, and I have succeeded!
Sounds like you were fortunate and made the best of your life.
I was and like everyone there have been deep valleys. I just have kept going. That’s what we do. I am tenacious by nature and I look for ways to get through a door, if not then around it, over it or under it! Do not succumb to negativity or defeatism. My parents were lifelong Republicans and my mother made it to 103 in 2017! She did not vote for Trump but she could not bring herself to vote Democrat so she wrote in Ben Carson!
Those were the guys that saved the whole damn world.
Now he is with his shipmates.
I can hear the bugles.
We are running out of "Lasts". Those of us that remember and cherish them are on an ever shortening list as well. You are doing yeomans work these days, Tom. Great writing and on the mark.
Thank you for helping to preserve the nation's important history by recounting this man's stated memories. Not only did the Greatest Generation tough out the Great Depression, but some of them soldiered on in two wars. American women rose to the occasion as well. And when WWII was over those same people turned to the task of building the country, enabled by the GI Bill. Additionally, many of them became political leaders whose message was one of teamwork and community, not the crass competitive greed and ego displays we see today. Mr. Conter will be resting in a well earned peace. Condolences to all who knew and loved him.
Good stuff, Tom.
One less survivor around who experienced the 2nd World War. Young people today really have no comprehension of our history - wars and too much else. And I guess some people are more than happy to leave it that way.
My friend Clarence "Bud" Anderson is the last living American fighter pilot ace. Turns 103 next month.
I’ll have to find the pic of Bud and me from some years ago; what a great guy. Naval aviator husband followed his career for decades.
Godspeed, good sir.
I'm sure his shipmates piped him aboard.
Fair winds and following seas, Lt. Commander. Thanks to your work, we are where we are today, as are any number of pilots helped by the SERE school(s) you taught.
Rest well. Others have the watch from here.
Godspeed and fair skies, sir.
Thank you.
Despite his words, Mr Contor is a hero, may he rest in peace: we're so very grateful for his service.
My great Uncle Arthur Wynant was a Pearl Harbor survivor - he was stationed on the USS Medusa. He passed away in 2017 and was the last survivor in Shasta County California. He was one of the best and sweetest men I've ever known. I loved him very much. ♥️
❤️❤️❤️
RIP