FU-Gos: Japanese Balloon Bombs of World War II

On May 5, 1945, Reverend Archie Mitchell took his pregnant wife and five Sunday school children, fromt the Christian and Missionary Alliance church where he was a minister, on a picnic and fishing trip. The group found a logging road they followed until a blockage hindered their progress. They stopped next to Leonard Creek, eight miles east of Bly, Oregon, near Gearhart Mountain. While unloading the vehicle, the Reverend heard one of the children say "Look what I found!" His wife, Elise, and the children ran to see what had been found. Moments later, there was an explosion. Mrs. Mitchell and all five children were killed instantly.

Between November 1944 and April 1945, Japan launched more than nine thousand balloon bombs - experimental weapons intended to kill and cause fires. The balloons, each carrying an anti-personnel bomb and two incendiary baombs, took about seventy hours to cross the Pacific Ocean. Three hundred sixty-one of the balloons have been found in twenty-six states between Canada and Mexico.

A front-page story in the May 7, 1945 , Klamath Falls Herald and News provided no information, as was normal governmental protocal for news during this time in history.

The Mitchell Monument site was originally owned by Weyerhaeuser. The company built the monument in 1950 to commemorate the only place on the American continent where death resulted from enemy action during World War II. Weyerhaeuser donated the monument along with the land surrounding it to the Fremont National Forest in 1998.

Directions

The Mitchell Monument is located about 65 miles North-East of Klamath Falls. The recreation area is typically open from mid-May through the end of October. The site offers fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing opportunities in addition to being an historic landmark.

As you are leaving Klamath Falls, take Highway 140 East (also known as the Klamath Falls-Lakeview Highway) for approximately 50 miles, to the Bly Ranger District Office. From the office, proceed 1 1/2 miles east on Highway 140, turn left on County Road 1259. Take County Road 1259 for 1/2 mile, then turn right on Forest Road 34. Follow Forest Road 34 for approximately 8 miles. The day use area entrance sign is located on the right.

Other resources about the Mitchell Monument and the Japanese Balloon Bombs of WWII

The Oregon Encyclopedia: Balloon Bombs

Fremont-Winema National Forests Mitchell Monument Page

A documentary film "On Paper Wings" about the lives of the Japanese and American civilians who were affected by the balloon bomb projects.