Oldest Living Pearl Harbor Attack Survivor Dies at the Age of 105

Warren Upton, known as the oldest living Pearl Harbor survivor, passed away at age 105, leaving behind a historic legacy.

Key Facts:

• Upton died Christmas Day after a brief hospital stay, as confirmed by Kathleen Farley of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors.
• At 105, he was the oldest living survivor of the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack.
• Upton served on the USS Utah, which was struck by Japanese torpedoes on December 7, 1941.
• He recalled jumping into a trench on Ford Island to avoid the attacking planes.
• Out of the 87,000 military personnel stationed on Oahu that day, only 15 remain alive.

The Rest of The Story:

Upton was 22 when the first torpedo hit the USS Utah as he prepared to shave. He and his shipmates were caught off guard when the ship began to shake, then capsized after a second torpedo struck.

He swam to Ford Island and took cover for about 30 minutes before a passing truck rescued him. Over the years, he spoke openly about that day but mourned the loss of many fellow crew members.

#RIP Pearl Harbor survivor Warren "Red" Upton who passed away on Christmas Day at the age of 105. Upton was a radioman aboard USS Utah when the battleship was hit by two torpedoes on 7 December 1941. As the Utah began to roll over, he abandoned ship and swam to Ford Island,… pic.twitter.com/IQApqMRD9Z

— U.S. Naval Institute (@NavalInstitute) December 26, 2024

Commentary:

Upton’s life story offers a living link to a transformative event that led the United States into World War II. His experiences serve as a reminder of a generation that endured both the immediate chaos of the Pearl Harbor attack and the lasting aftermath of global conflict.

His willingness to share vivid details preserves an important piece of collective memory, now carried forward by family members, historians, and the few survivors still with us.

The Bottom Line:

Warren Upton’s passing closes another chapter of firsthand Pearl Harbor recollections, yet his story endures as a vital part of American heritage.