The generation that survived “the day which will live in infamy” grows smaller with each passing year. They were the men and women who witnessed firsthand one of the most pivotal moments in American history – a moment that transformed not just our nation, but the entire world.

These heroes, members of what we now reverently call the Greatest Generation, carried with them memories of a time when America’s very existence hung in the balance. They embodied values that seem increasingly rare today: unwavering patriotism, selfless sacrifice, and unshakeable devotion to duty.

In the early hours of December 7, 1941, nearly 87,000 American service members were stationed at Pearl Harbor. Today, only 15 remain to tell their stories.

The Last Of The Greatest Generation

Warren Upton, the oldest living survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack and the last remaining crew member of the USS Utah, has died at the age of 105. His passing marks not just the end of a life well-lived, but the closing of another precious link to that fateful December morning.

Upton died Wednesday at a hospital in Los Gatos, California. He succumbed to pneumonia, according to Kathleen Farley, the California state chair of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors. Upton’s death represents more than just the loss of one veteran – it marks the end of the USS Utah’s living memory.

That morning in 1941, Upton was a 22-year-old Navy radioman, preparing to shave when the first torpedo struck his ship. In a 2020 interview with The Associated Press, he recalled the confusion and chaos of those moments.

“We didn’t know what had hit us,” he said, describing how the second torpedo’s impact sent the massive battleship listing to one side.

What followed demonstrated the kind of quick thinking and courage that defined his generation. As the Utah began to capsize, Upton not only managed to swim to safety but also helped a fellow sailor who couldn’t swim reach Ford Island. His actions that day embodied the American spirit: facing unimaginable adversity with both personal courage and concern for others.

After reaching shore, Upton took cover in a trench for approximately 30 minutes until a truck arrived to transport him to safety. Fifty-eight of his USS Utah shipmates weren’t as fortunate, many trapped as the vessel rolled over.

Warren Upton, the last survivor of the USS Utah and the oldest Pearl Harbor survivor, has died at 105. He was aboard the Utah on December 7, 1941, when it was struck by two torpedoes during the attack that led the US into WWII. pic.twitter.com/LDueUXtNH4

— Morbid Knowledge (@Morbidful) December 28, 2024

Preserving Our American Legacy

Upton’s service to this great nation didn’t end at Pearl Harbor. Indeed, he continued serving as a radioman throughout World War II. He was part of the massive American response to what President Franklin D. Roosevelt called the “unprovoked and dastardly attack” that brought America into the global conflict.

After the war, like many of his generation, Upton returned home to build the America we inherited. He married Gene, a former Navy nurse, raised a family, and lived the kind of quiet, dignified life that characterized so many of our World War II veterans. His wife preceded him in death in 2018 after a marriage that spanned decades.

In his later years, Upton shared his memories of Pearl Harbor, though not for personal glory. As he told the AP in 2020, what troubled him most wasn’t recounting the attack, but watching his fellow USS Utah survivors pass away one by one. Upton’s  concern wasn’t for himself, but for the preservation of their collective memory.

Only 15 Pearl Harbor Survivors Remain

Now, with only 15 Pearl Harbor survivors remaining from the original 87,000 service members present that day, our nation faces a sobering reality. Americans are witnessing the final farewell of a generation that showed us what American greatness truly means.

Their deaths challenges us to consider: How will we preserve their memories? How will we ensure that future generations understand the price of freedom? How will we honor their sacrifice?

As Americans bid farewell to Warren Upton, this great nation is reminded that the task of preserving these heroes’ legacy falls to us all. Their stories of courage, sacrifice, and unwavering patriotism must be protected and passed on – not just as historical facts, but as eternal testaments to the American spirit that carried our nation through its darkest hours.

In an era when some seek to rewrite or diminish our history, the passing of heroes like Warren Upton reminds patriots that there are some truths that must remain unaltered. In the end, some values must never fade, and some sacrifices must never be forgotten.

Key Takeaways:

• Warren Upton’s passing leaves only 15 Pearl Harbor survivors from original 87,000 servicemen.
• Last USS Utah survivor embodied Greatest Generation values: duty, sacrifice, and unwavering patriotism.
• His life story reflects traditional American values: military service, family, and quiet dignity.
• Preserving Pearl Harbor’s legacy becomes crucial as first-hand witnesses fade into history.

Sources: Just The News, The Hill, Newsweek