Senator Dahle Honors Retired Lieutenant Commander Lou Conter on the Senate Floor

It was my privilege to honor a constituent from the district, retired Lieutenant Commander Lou Conter for his 28 years of courageous service in the United States Navy. Commander Conter is the last surviving veteran of the attack on the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Commander Conter entered flight school and then served as a pilot with Navy Squadron VP-11, also known as the "Black Cats" because the Squadron's PBY Catalina seaplanes were painted black for night operations, and in addition to being shot down twice, he and his team rescued 200 Australian Coastwatchers in New Guinea. At the age of 101, he now holds distinction as the only living service member of the 335 officers, sailors, and marines who survived the 1941 attack. I take immense pleasure in honoring retired Lieutenant Commander Lou Conter for his dedication to duty and country and faithful service.