Oregon Firebombing: When Japan Attacked the US Mainland
During World War II, a Japanese pilot bombed Oregon in a little-known attack on the U.S. mainland. On September 9, 1942, the pilot dropped incendiary bombs in an attempt to start forest fires. While the attack caused minimal damage, it remains a significant event in American history. This event highlights the reach of the war and the vulnerability felt on the home front.
Seventy years ago, during the height of World War II, the United States faced a direct attack on its own soil. On September 9, 1942, a Japanese pilot, Nobuo Fujita, flew a floatplane from a submarine and dropped incendiary bombs on Oregon's forests. The goal was to ignite massive forest fires, diverting American resources and manpower. Fujita's mission, though audacious, ultimately failed to achieve its objective. The bombs caused only minor damage, and prompt action by firefighters quickly contained the small blazes. Despite the limited impact, the attack marked the only time the continental United States was bombed by an enemy during World War II. The event served as a stark reminder of the war's global reach and the potential for enemy action even far from traditional battlefields. Decades later, Fujita returned to Oregon, planting trees as a gesture of reconciliation and peace, becoming an honorary citizen.
Source: Read the original article at CBS