• The Brookings Sword - Brookings, Oregon

      by
      Dennis Goza
      Published on 06-08-2013 12:39 AM
      4 Comments Comments
      The Brookings Sword
      Photo by Dennis Goza
      In 1942 Japanese pilot Nobuo Fujita delivered the only wartime bomb strike on the American mainland near the city of Brookings. The bombing had little effect and caused no injuries, but Fujita was so remorseful that he returned to Brookings 20 years later to apologize and to present the city with this 400 year old sword, a family heirloom. He was warmly welcomed by the city, which made him an honorary citizen, and he returned for several more visits. His ashes are buried here, and his sword is still on display.

      If you go:
      The sword is exhibited at the Chetco Community Library, along with press clippings, photos and related materials. There is no charge to view these items. The library is open at 10 a.m. every day except Sunday. You can also hike to the actual site of the bombing on Mt. Emily.

      Links:




      405 Alder Street
      Brookings, Oregon 97415 USA


      Phone Numbers:

      Chetco Library
      +1 (541) 469-7738

      Comments 4 Comments
      1. Mark Sedenquist's Avatar
        Mark Sedenquist - 06-08-2013, 10:43 AM
        It's sort of amazing that this happened at all. What I wonder is how did Nobuo Fujita get back to Japan? What sort of ship did he launch from to even reach the coast?
      1. AZBuck's Avatar
        AZBuck - 06-08-2013, 10:53 AM
        Fujita flew a Yokosuka E14Y from a B-1 type submarine, which allowed for recovery at sea and return to Japan.

        AZBuck
      1. Mark Sedenquist's Avatar
        Mark Sedenquist - 06-09-2013, 02:04 PM
        Whoa, that was some interesting reading -- Amazing that anyone could survive that kind of mission
      1. Dennis Goza's Avatar
        Dennis Goza - 06-14-2013, 10:54 AM
        As I recall, he'd been scheduled to participate in the attack on Pearl Harbor, but was unable to because of a plane malfunction. Heaven knows how wracked with guilt he would have been over that! Apparently, he'd intended to commit suicide with his sword if the citizens of Brookings were hostile toward him. Instead, there was a long friendship with them, and he even sponsored scholarships in Japan for several American students.