Warren Upton, a name etched in the annals of American history as the last surviving crew member of the USS Utah and the oldest living survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack, breathed his last on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at the age of 105. His passing, due to pneumonia at a Los Gatos, California hospital, marks the end of a living link to a pivotal moment in American history, a day that irrevocably altered the course of the 20th century and propelled the United States into World War II. His life, spanning over a century, bore witness to remarkable changes, but his final years were marked by the poignant duty of remembering and honoring the fallen comrades of that fateful December morning.
The story of Warren Upton intertwines with the tragic narrative of the USS Utah, a battleship moored peacefully at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The tranquility of the Sunday morning was shattered by the roar of Japanese warplanes, their bombs and torpedoes raining down upon the unsuspecting naval base. Upton, a young man of 22 at the time, was preparing for the day’s routine when the first torpedo struck the Utah. The initial impact, a jarring tremor through the ship’s hull, was met with confusion and disbelief. The second torpedo, however, left no room for doubt. The Utah, mortally wounded, began to list precariously, the inevitability of its demise clear to all aboard.
In the chaos and terror of the attack, Upton’s survival instincts kicked in. He plunged into the turbulent waters, swimming desperately towards the safety of Ford Island. As Japanese planes strafed the area, Upton sought refuge in a trench, the whine of bullets and the explosions of bombs echoing around him. He remained there, huddled in fear and uncertainty, for approximately 30 agonizing minutes until a truck arrived, offering a precarious escape from the besieged island. This harrowing experience, seared into his memory, would forever shape his perspective on life and the fragility of peace.
While the physical wounds of the attack may have healed, the emotional scars remained. In the years that followed, Upton readily shared his experiences, not dwelling on the horrors he witnessed, but on the profound loss of his shipmates. Each passing year brought the somber news of another comrade lost, a constant reminder of the dwindling number of those who shared that fateful day. By 2020, only three survivors of the USS Utah remained, Upton among them, each bearing the weight of remembrance for the 58 men who perished aboard the ship.
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, a surprise assault that claimed the lives of over 2,400 American service members and civilians, stunned the nation and galvanized its resolve. Of the estimated 87,000 military personnel stationed on Oahu that day, only a handful remain to tell the tale. With Upton’s passing, that number dwindles to a mere 15, a stark reminder of the fading living memory of this pivotal event. These remaining survivors are the keepers of history, their testimonies vital to understanding the impact of the attack and the sacrifices made that day.
Warren Upton’s life, spanning over a century, was inextricably linked to the historical narrative of Pearl Harbor. He was not just a survivor; he was a witness, a storyteller, and a living embodiment of resilience. His passing marks the closing of a chapter, the silencing of a voice that spoke for the fallen and honored the memory of those lost in the chaos and carnage of December 7, 1941. His story, however, will continue to resonate, reminding us of the enduring human spirit and the importance of remembering the lessons of history. His legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of those who knew him, and in the collective memory of a nation forever changed by the events he witnessed.
