[ 21st century skills library ]
10
CH A P T E R 3
Nobuo Fujita and
the Town of
Brookings, Oregon
W
ar is horrible. Soldiers in battle sometimes commit unforgivable
acts. Yet the only pilot to ever bomb American shores was later
forgiven by the small Oregon community he attacked. Born in
1911, Nobuo Fujita was a Japanese pilot who in 1942 flew bombing
runs over Brookings, Oregon. In later years, ashamed of his actions,
Fujita traveled to Brookings to ask for the town’s forgiveness.
During World War II, Japanese military commanders hatched
a plan. They would force the American military to focus on
protecting its own shores. This would divert its attention and
resources away from the conflict in Japan. Fujita suggested the
raids, and twice he bombed the forested land surrounding
