Bombs to Books
Here’s a fun one for your next trivia night or “did you know?” moment:
Did you know the only enemy aircraft bombing of the US mainland during WWII was carried out by a Japanese pilot… who later apologized in person and helped rebuild the town library?
Nobuo Fujita was the pilot who dropped incendiary bombs over the forests of Brookings, Oregon, in 1942, hoping to spark massive wildfires. The plan failed due to damp conditions, but the story didn’t end there.
Years later, Fujita was invited back to Brookings—and not only did he apologize, he also donated money and books to the local library, planted a tree, and even gifted the community a 400-year-old family sword, symbolizing his regret and his desire for peace and friendship.
He then became an honorary citizen. Talk about full-circle moments. If history always had plot twists like that, we’d never put the books down.
Anyone else have an unexpected WWII fact that totally changed how you saw the story? Share them below!
