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https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/six-killed-in-oregon-by-japanese-bomb?cmpid=email-hist-tdih-2021-0 [login to see] 1&om_rid=
In Lakeview, Oregon, Mrs. Elsie Mitchell and five neighborhood children are killed while attempting to drag a Japanese balloon out the woods. Unbeknownst to Mitchell and the children, the balloon was armed, and it exploded soon after they began tampering with it. They were the first and only known American civilians to be killed in the continental United States during World War II. The U.S. government eventually gave $5,000 in compensation to Mitchell’s husband, and $3,000 each to the families of Edward Engen, Sherman Shoemaker, Jay Gifford, and Richard and Ethel Patzke, the five slain children.
In Lakeview, Oregon, Mrs. Elsie Mitchell and five neighborhood children are killed while attempting to drag a Japanese balloon out the woods. Unbeknownst to Mitchell and the children, the balloon was armed, and it exploded soon after they began tampering with it. They were the first and only known American civilians to be killed in the continental United States during World War II. The U.S. government eventually gave $5,000 in compensation to Mitchell’s husband, and $3,000 each to the families of Edward Engen, Sherman Shoemaker, Jay Gifford, and Richard and Ethel Patzke, the five slain children.
Six killed in Oregon by Japanese bomb
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Edited 3 y ago
Posted 3 y ago
Responses: 7
Posted 3 y ago
PBS had a show on several years ago about the balloon bombs that Japan launched during WWII, I believe that they mentioned about the family being the only victims of this launching Lt Col Charlie Brown
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Posted 3 y ago
Did you know that Takata (the ex-airbag maker) made hand grenades? I wonder if these are Takata prototype airbags?
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Posted 3 y ago
Knew about the balloons but not this particular story, thanks for sharing.
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