HONOLULU: The oldest known survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack, Warren 'Red' Upton, has passed away at the age of 105. Upton, a former radio operator who was on duty during the Japanese assault on December 7, 1941, died on Christmas Day while surrounded by family after a brief hospital stay, as announced by Pacific Historic Parks on Facebook.
According to Ghana News Agency, Upton was serving aboard the USS Utah when it was hit by two torpedoes, causing the battleship to capsize. Despite the chaos, he and other crew members managed to swim to safety. The incident resulted in the deaths of 58 crew members from the USS Utah alone, contributing to the overall loss of 2,335 U.S. military personnel and 68 civilians during the attack.
The attack on Pearl Harbor marked a pivotal moment in World War II, as the United States declared war on the Empire of Japan the following day, ending its period of neutrality. Upton was the last surviving crew member of the USS Utah and one of only 15 known survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack.
After surviving the war, Upton returned to civilian life, where he focused on his family. His wife, Gene, whom he cherished, passed away in 2018. The passing of Upton marks the end of an era for the USS Utah crew and serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during one of the most significant events in American history.
