Auburn VA clinic renamed in honor of WW2 hero Conter

As rain pounded Auburn last Thursday, a gathering protected from the elements by tent cover honored World War II hero Lou Conter with a blend of stories, pride and laughs. The ceremony was held to officially rename Auburn's VA clinic the Louis A. Conter VA Clinic. A large plaque, unveiled by Conter's great-grandsons and other family members, will be hung inside the clinic at 11985 Heritage Oak Place. Lieutenant Commander Conter's great-grandchildren – Reid, Finn and Holden Austen, ages 12, 10 and 8, and Michael Conter, 13 – led the pledge of allegiance, and son Jim Conter read remarks from Jim McCoy, director of communications with Pacific Historic Parks. Congressman Kevin Kiley also spoke and presented the Conter family with a copy of House Resolution 9124 to rename the VA clinic in Conter's name. Kiley was one of five representatives who introduced the bill. "By naming this clinic in honor of Louis A. Conter, we're doing more than placing a name on a building. We're creating a living tribute," said David R. Stockwell, medical center director of the VA Northern California Health Care System. "Every veteran who walks through these doors will be reminded of the legacy defined by courage, perseverance and an unwavering commitment to others. Every member of our staff will carry forward that example in the care they provide. And every member of this community will know this is the place where service is understood, respected and honored." Conter was the last living survivor from the USS Arizona in the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, until his death on April 1, 2024, in Grass Valley. But beyond his heroism – Conter actually considered those who perished in the attack to be the real heroes – he went on to become a Naval aviator who flew 200 missions. Conter, who was shot down twice, also was, in Stockwell's words, "a pioneer in survival training," laying the foundation for SERE training (Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape), which is still used today by aviators across all branches of the military. "He would be one of the most proud of that," said Jack Kennedy, a close family friend and the final speaker of the ceremony. Kennedy, who attended the annual USS Arizona ceremony in Hawaii for several with Conter and his family – which came to be known affectionately as the "Conterage" – shared U.S. Navy pilot John McCain was a SERE trainee in the 1960s. "McCain was an admiral's son," Kennedy said. "John McCain hated Lou in that sense because Lou didn't cut him any slack. … When John McCain, along with Admiral (James) Stockdale, were released from the Hanoi Hilton after so many years and punishment, McCain in one of his interviews said, 'Lou Conter's the meanest son of a bitch I ever met, but he saved my life.' " The crowd erupted in applause, after which Kennedy added, "Admiral Stockdale actually called Lou on the phone to thank him personally for saving his life. That training is still active and still saving lives." Kennedy said Conter was "happy to be appointed the first SERE officer in the Navy … because of what he knew was needed." Ed Bonner, another close friend of the Conter family and retired Placer County Sheriff, told the crowd how World War II was won, starting when Conter was shot down in September 1943. "They were on occupied New Guinea two nights, waiting to be rescued," Bonner said. "Finally, a patrol boat picked them up. How did we win the war, you ask? This crew of 10 men, hiding out in the jungle for two days, came back to New Guinea, had breakfast, they debriefed, they got in another airplane that next night and took off another mission." Bonner noted Conter visited the VA clinic now named in his honor to pick up his hearing aids and talked about "how wonderfully he was taken care of, how he was served, how he was treated, and his neighbors thanked him because they didn't hear 'The Price Is Right' blaring through the doors," Bonner said as the crowd erupted in laughter. "The VA is good medicine; it's good medicine. The service you provide to the members, the veterans, on behalf of a grateful nation, we really appreciate it, and I thank you, we thank, for your continued support. … This dedication is as much about you as it is about Lou." Retired Navy Rear Admiral Bonnie Potter stepped to the podium and immediately drew laughter as rain continued to fall by saying, "For you Air Force folks here, this is a fine Navy day." Potter reminded the gathering that Conter joined the Placer County Navy League in 2002 and was a regular at its monthly dinner meetings, driving himself until he was 100. Conter "cared very much about youth," according to Bonner, and at one meeting he was introduced to a high school junior who attended with her grandfather, who was also a member. The high schooler was writing a paper on President Roosevelt's "Day of Infamy" speech and welcomed the opportunity to meet WWII veterans. "He started asking her questions and challenging her," Potter said of Conter. "It was after that he finally admitted where he had been. He was so impressed with her, because unlike most kids her age, she knew the answers to his questions. So he told her, 'I was on the Arizona at Pearl Harbor.' Well, you can imagine that to Natalie, meeting someone who actually was there for the Day of Infamy and survived would be like me meeting Elvis," Potter said as the crowd erupted in laughter again. They developed a friendship, and Conter invited her to attend the 73rd Pearl Harbor anniversary. He became Natalie's inspiration to earn her Master's degree in World War II studies. Said Potter, "She continues to share his story and the stories of his shipmates, which was so important to Lou."