(Staff Sgt. Taylor Slater, U.S. Air Force)
MT. SHIZUHATA, Japan -- U.S. Air Force Col. Andrew Roddan, 374th Airlift Wing commander; Dr. Hiroya Sugano, B-29 ceremony host, and members of the Yokota Air Base honor guard pose for a photo during the B-29 Memorial Ceremony at Mt. Shizuhata, Japan, June 29, 2024. On June 20, 1945, two U.S. Army Air Force B-29 Superfortress aircraft collided in mid-air during a bombing run over Shizuoka City. Approximately 2,000 Japanese civilians were killed as well as 23 members of the aircrew. One of the residents who survived the raid, Fukumatsu Itoh, rescued two American aircrew members who later died from their wounds. Itoh, despite wartime relations, buried the two members out of respect. Since 1972, Americans and Japanese alike have gathered in memorial for the victims as well as in remembrance for the selfless actions of Itoh.
