Yokota Airmen participate in annual B-29 memorial service

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Veronica Pierce
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  Yokota Airmen participated in a memorial ceremony in Shizuoka City honoring thousands of Japanese civilians and 23 U.S. Airmen who perished when two B-29 bombers collided during the air raid. 

Since 1972 Yokota Airmen have volunteered their time to take part in a US-Japan joint memorial service to pay respect to those who lost their lives on June 19, 1945, during a World War II air raid over Shizuoka, Japan. 

Mr. Fukumatsu Ito was one of the residents involved in the raid. He and other survivors of the raid rescued two aircrew members, who later died from their wounds, then buried them out of respect. 

After the crash, the wreckage was scattered across the city. Some of the debris landed on Mr. Ito's property where he found a scorched American canteen. 

A few years after the war, Mr. Ito erected two monuments at the top of Sengen hill for Japanese and American service members who lost their lives on that day. 

Mr. Fukumatsu Ito later founded and hosted the annual B-29 memorial ceremony. After Mr. Ito's death, Dr. Hiroya Sugano took on the duties as Master of Ceremonies. 

"This is my third year attending the ceremony; the feeling you get is indescribable," said Staff Sgt. Scot Riddell, 374th Maintenance Operations Squadron. "Few people have been given the chance to sit and talk with both U.S. and Japanese WWII veterans at the same time. I feel honored."

Once a year, during the ceremony, the scorched canteen is filled with American bourbon whiskey then an American pours the whiskey on the B-29 monument in honor of the fallen crew members. 

Master Sgt. Jason Morgan, 730th Air Mobility Squadron, was one of the Yokota Airmen that participated in this year's ceremony by pouring the whiskey. 

"Out of my 19 years of service and over 39 countries I've visited, this ceremony is one of the most memorable experiences of my military career," said Sergeant Morgan.