Last Pearl Harbor Survivor, Warren Upton, Dies at 102
Last Pearl Harbor Survivor, Warren Upton, Dies at 105
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Los Gatos, California – Warren Upton, the last known survivor of the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor, died Wednesday at a hospital in Los Gatos, California. He was 105. Upton passed away peacefully from pneumonia, according to his family.
Upton was stationed aboard the USS Utah when Japanese forces launched their surprise attack on the U.S. naval base in Honolulu, Hawaii on December 7, 1941. The attack, which propelled the United States into World War II, forever changed the course of history.
in a 2020 interview, Upton vividly recalled the morning of the attack. He was preparing to shave when the first torpedo struck the Utah. as the ship began to capsize after a second hit, the then 22-year-old Upton bravely swam to safety on Ford Island. Tragically, 58 of his fellow crewmen perished in the attack.
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The attack on Pearl Harbor resulted in the deaths of 2,403 Americans and caused significant damage to U.S. ships and aircraft. While 55 Japanese pilots were killed and several submarines sunk, the surprise assault galvanized the American public and spurred the nation’s industrial might into action. the United States entered the war with a renewed determination to defeat the Axis powers: Germany, Italy, and Japan.
Upton’s passing marks the end of a generation of americans who witnessed firsthand the horrors and heroism of that fateful day.His legacy, along with the memories of his fallen comrades, will forever be etched in the annals of American history.
Last Pearl Harbor Survivor From USS utah Dies at 105
Warren Upton, the oldest living survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor, passed away at the age of 105. Upton was just 22 years old when the Japanese launched their surprise attack on December 7, 1941. He was stationed aboard the USS Utah when the first torpedo struck.
“He was getting ready to shave when the first torpedo hit,” a family member recalled.
The USS Utah capsized after being struck by a second torpedo. Upton managed to swim to safety on Ford Island, but 58 of his crewmates perished in the attack.
Upton’s story is a powerful reminder of the immense tragedy of Pearl Harbor. In a 2021 interview with AP News, he vividly recounted the events of that morning, providing a firsthand account of a pivotal moment in American history.
Video: Archival footage of the attack on Pearl Harbor
While details about Upton’s life after the war are limited in news reports, his passing serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the generation that fought in World War II.
Remembering Warren Upton: A Conversation
Anna: Did you hear about Warren Upton passing away?
David: No, I didn’t. Who is he?
Anna: He was the last living survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor. He died at 105.
David: Wow, 105! That’s amazing. I no Pearl Harbor was a really critically important event in history, but I don’t know much about it.
Anna: It was a surprise attack by the Japanese on a US naval base in Hawaii on December 7, 1941. It led to the US entering World War II.
David: So Upton was there that day?
Anna: Yes, he was just 22 years old and stationed on the USS Utah. He was getting ready to shave when the first torpedo hit.
David: That must have been terrifying. What happened next?
Anna: The Utah capsized after being hit by a second torpedo.
David: Did he manage to escape?
Anna: Yes, he swam to safety on Ford Island. But sadly, 58 of his crewmates where lost.
David: That’s heartbreaking.
Anna: It is. His story,and the stories of all the other survivors,serve as a powerful reminder of the immense sacrifice and bravery shown that day. I remember reading an interview with him a couple of years ago where he spoke about the day with such clarity, even after all those years.
David: It must have been a traumatic experience.
Anna: It definitely was. but Upton seemed resolute to keep the memory of that day alive, and to honor those who perished. His passing marks the end of a generation who witnessed firsthand the horrors and heroism of Pearl Harbor.
David: It’s truly the end of an era. I’m glad we have his story to learn from and remember.