Dedication of bomb site brings back memories

Antipodean Andy · Oct 5, 2008

CurryPilot.com

Editor's note: Longtime Pilot staff writer Marjorie Woodfin first reported on Brookings Japanese bomb site in 1992.

Attending the Wheeler Ridge Japanese Bombing Site Trail Dedication Ceremony at the Chetco Community Public Library Thursday brought back memories of a small, humble Japanese man who did much to promote friendship between our two nations.

I realize that's a strange statement to make about the only person to actually drop bombs on mainland United States, but it's true.

On the night of the flight, the forest was wet and the flame from the firebombs were easily extinguished with little damage, contrary to the pilot's hope to cause forest fires that might require drawing personnel from the fighting front during World War II.

Nobuo Fujita, the Japanese pilot who engineered the amazing feat of flying the small aircraft, transported in a submarine, over the forests of Oregon during World War II, later visited Brookings several times in friendship.

His first visit here, accompanied by his wife and son, created much hostility toward the Brookings-Harbor Jaycees who arranged for the Fujita family to come as guests during the 1962 Azalea Festival. At that time he presented his family's 400-year-old Samurai sword to the city of Brookings.

After Fujita's death in 1997, former Brookings resident Ernie Bower, who hosted Fujita and family members during at least one visit to Brookings, visited Fujita's family in Japan. He told me that Fujita's daughter told him that her father feared humiliation on that first trip and planned to use the sword to end his own life if that happened.

On Fujita's next visit to Brookings, in 1992, 50 years after the bombing, he and other family members hiked to the bomb site, where he planted a redwood seedling and asked for a moment of silent prayer for peace. Later at a banquet in his honor, Fujita's remarks included, "What a foolish war we made."

Over the years Fujita maintained his friendship with the city by hosting three high school students on a trip to Japan and, in several separate gifts, donating approximately $8.000 to the library for children's books to promote peace,

It took Fujita 25 years to fulfill his promise to host the students because he faced bankruptcy after the war ended. Brookings' Mike Moran was president of the Jaycees in 1984 when he was approached by then Oregon Governor Victor Atiyea, whom Fujita had contacted in his effort to find a way to reach the Jaycees.

The three students who visited Japan – Sarah Cortell, Lisa Phelps and Robyn Soiseth – were selected by a contest based on criteria, provided by Brookings Harbor High School teachers, that included grades, civic activities, an essay and a speech.

Moran accompanied the girls to Japan, where he said they were entertained, honored, and publicized in all of the country's major papers and magazines. "They didn't know about Fujita's flight in Japan," Moran explained. He said it had never been publicized.

"They asked why President Reagan would send greetings to a former enemy. I told them we didn't view him as an enemy, but as a pioneer in aviation."

In 1986, when Fujita again came to Brookings to be grand marshal for the Azalea Festival, the favorable publicity had diminished the hostility and he was greeted warmly.

Fujita's final visit was in 1995 when he came to attend a ceremony transferring the sword from city hall to its special display case at the library. In his 80s, with declining health, Fujita was unable to make the hike to the bombsite with his young family members. At the ceremony, Lorraine Williams whispered in my ear, "Wouldn't it be great if someone would fly him over the bombsite during the hike?"

When I relayed her suggestion to my husband, Glenn, he immediately volunteered to team up with the former enemy, both having been pilots in World War II. Unfortunately, weather kept Glenn, Fujita, Bower, and then mayor Tom Davis on the ground until after the hikers had returned from the site. However, when the weather cleared the flight was made. Glenn, who gave Fujita control of the Bonanza aircraft over the bombsite area, commented later, "He did a good job of holding it on course." A photo of Fujita exiting the airplane after the landing plainly shows his delight in the flight.

~~~

The warning of heavy rain forced U.S. Forest Service personnel and distinguished guests to forego the anticipated ceremony at the trailhead and following hike to the bombsite, and move the event to the library.

When Master of Ceremonies Walt Schroeder introduced Gold Beach District Ranger

Alan Vandiver, the forest ranger told the audience that a meteorologist friend gave him the "straight skinny" about expected heavy rain that caused the change in plans. "If the sun had been shining this morning," Vandiver said, continuing with proposed threats to his friend, and ending with, "I guess I'll have to buy him a dinner now."

The rains did indeed come, but failed to dampen the spirits of those who attended the dedication. The large meeting room at the library was filled with interested guests who were provided with a display of photographs that came as close as possible to actually visiting the trail and making the hike. Someone suggested it was a "virtual hike."

Vandiver also gave great credit to the Brookings Harbor Jaycees who had the good will, perseverance, and "pit bull" tenacity to stick to their plan to entertain Fujita on that first visit in 1962.

While writing about the 1992 visit and searching for earlier information, I found that some of that hard feeling about that first visit was still evident and there were those who refused to even discuss it.

In addition to Vandiver, speakers included U.S. Forest Service, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Supervisor Scott Conroy, Acting Deputy Regional Forester Rick Brazell, the Honorable Consul General of Japan (in Portland), Akio Egawa, and Oregon Poet Laureate Lawson Inada.

Egawa spoke about the beauty of Brookings and of the historic monument of generosity and inspiration of America when Japan was in total ruin. "America, once our sworn enemy, helping us to rebuild," he said. He added that the help was vital for peace and prosperity in the Asian region and the rest of the world.

He also noted the current exchange between the two countries, with 100-plus Japanese companies doing business in Oregon, 50,000 Japanese residing in Oregon, and 23 ‘sister city" people-to-people relationships, that he called "one of the most significant symbols of friendship."

A letter from Fujita's daughter Yoriko Asakura was read apologizing for being unable to attend the dedication. She explained that broken bones kept her from making the trip. The letter spoke of her father's friendship with the people of Brookings that she said was very important to him. She added that she and her husband hope to come again to Brookings and that Japanese Naval Academy officers want to accompany them.

Oregon Poet Laureate Inada, award-winning professor emeritus of Southern Oregon University, told the audience that during his participation in the dedication ceremony that he called, "this global event, I learned to appreciate what the Forest Service really is."

Jeff LaLande, U.S. Forest Service historian, said that there is only one remaining fragment of the bomb and careful search of the area had unearthed only the remains of an old tin can and a discarded camera flash bulb.

LaLande suggested to the audience, "Take a virtual hike on you own. Let's imagine taking the hike to a small, but significant tree, and have a moment of silence for the veterans of that terrible war."

Fujita's sword, other gifts and mementos, and a complete history of the event is on display at the Chetco Community Public Library, 405 Alder St.
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Kyt · Oct 6, 2008

Nobuo Fujita - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Antipodean Andy · Oct 6, 2008

A heck of a pilot who seemed to be everywhere...because he was!

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