Yokota, Japan remember WWII fallen during U.S.-Japan Joint Memorial Service

Dr. Hiroya Sugano, ceremony host, delivers a speech commemorating those who lost their lives during World War II as part of a U.S.-Japan Joint Memorial Service June 11, 2022, at Mt. Shizuhata, Shizuoka city, Japan. The memorial service provided participants the opportunity to honor those who lost their lives during a World War II air raid on June 20, 1945. During the raid, two U.S. Army Air Forces B-29 Superfortresses collided mid-air over Shizuoka City, resulting in the death of 23 Airmen on board the aircraft. Representatives of the U.S. Air Force’s Yokota Air Base, Japan Self Defense Force, and Shizuoka City rendered their respects to the Airmen and Japanese civilians who lost their lives as a result of the tragedy, and reflected on the strong alliance the U.S. and Japan have forged since the end of World War II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal)