Camera location	35° 46′ 25.49″ N, 139° 29′ 46.27″ E	View this and other nearby images on: OpenStreetMap	35.773747; 139.496186

Transcription of the descriptive sign on site:

Reflecting on the Heiwa Kannon (Goddess of Peace and Mercy)

Early in the morning of April 2, 1945, as Japan’s defeat in World War II drew near, the suburbs of Tokyo were under aerial bombardment by about 50 United States Army Air Corps B-29 bombers. At 3:15 AM, residents throughout the Akitsu district of the town of Higashimurayama were stunned by a sudden roar like a hundred thunderclaps at once.

The deafening blast was the crash and explosion of one of those bombers which likely had been hit by Japanese anti-aircraft fire. When that terrible night gave way to dawn, a ghastly scene lay before the people of the town: aircraft wreckage strew for hundreds of meters around a flaming crater 40 meters wide and 20 meters deep, on the land of local farmer Gonjiro Omata.

On August 15, 1945, the War ended in victory for the U.S. and its allies. Everyday thereafter, Gonjiro Omata, who together with his son Mitsuaki, had witnessed the crash, grieved for the brave American airmen who died before his home. A devout Buddhist believer in the Kannon Bodhisattva (Goddess of Mercy), he dreamed of erecting a Heiwa Kannon sculpture on the site as a monument honoring the souls of the 11 crewman and a wish for world peace.

Gonjiro Omata, a man who lived by the mercy of the Kannon, passed away on July 13, 1960. But his will was carried forth, and on November 27 of that year, with the cooperation of a U.S. Air Force Commander stationed in Japan, the Mayor of Higashimurayama, and other local authorities, a grand and solemn Kaigan Houyou unveiling ceremony for the sculpture as conducted by Priest Zenryu Matsunaga of the Soto Zen Yasumatsu-zan Chogen Temple.

The sculpture bears these words left by Gonjiro Omata: With Prayers for everlasting peace for humanity, and to honor and ask mercy for the brave souls of the fallen, herby erect this sculpture. May the spirits of the deceased hear my wish and sleep in peace eternal. July 2, 1960 Gonjiro Omata

Through the passage of time, the Heiwa Kannon sculpture continues to stand smiling over the Omata family grounds. It is a smile that embraces in gentle mercy the 11 soldiers who fell on this land.

B-29 Crew List

According to military records archi9ves in Saint Lous, Missouri, the downed B-29 was Aircraft Serial Number 44-69752 assigned to 873 Bomb Squadron, 498 Bomb Group, 21 Bomb Command.

Name Rank Crew Position Date of Birth Filbert, William E. 1st Lt Pilot 1920.03.25 Rudofsky, Edward M. 1st Lt Co-pilot 1917.07.07 Dubb, Norman 2nd Lt Navigator 1918.12.25 Haman, Nelson L. F/O Bomb 1920.10.03 Jahn, Frank T. 2nd Lt Flt/Eng 1917.11.08 Bordwell, Marion F. S/Sgt Radio Opr 1908.05.20 Tuttie, Fay H. Sgt CFC Gunner 1916.06.26 Pitts, Wallace J. Sgt Left Gunner 1923.12.17 Gerber, Herman W Sgt Right Gunner 1923.11.25 Guarino, August J Sgt Radar Opr 1920.08.15 Sandquist, Russell W. T/Sgt Tail Gunner 1922.07.21

In 1961, in accordance with the wishes of his father Gonjiro Omata, Mitsuaki embarked upon a journey to locate the families of the B-29 crewmen. He completed that mession in 1978, with enormous assistance from Wesley E. Curtis (the San Francisco General Station Manager for Delta Airlines). Wes Curtis, who passed away on November 7, 2000, is a friend to who the Omata family is forever grateful.

Chief contributors to the sculpture: Kisoji Arai Professor Toyoshima Normal School Buddhist scholar Kametaro Akashi Lecturer Tokyo University of the Arts Sculptor Hiromitsu Morimoto Professor Tokyo Zokei University Sculptor Kaoru Nakano President Nakano Sekizai Co Buddhist scholar

The text on this plaque is excerpted from texts by the following: • Gontaro Omata (first son) • Mitsuaki Omata (second son) • Kane Yamamoto (first daughter) • Chikako Okuzumi (second daughter) • Tomiko Ajiro (third daughter)

2014.04.02

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