Bly, Oregon
Forest Service Road 34
GPS coordinates: 42.432089,-120.860212
Take a photo of your rally flag with the above image.

On May 5th, 1945, Reverend Archie Mitchell, his pregnant wife Elsie, and five members of her Sunday School class, were taking advantage of a warm spring day to go fishing. While Archie was unloading the car, Elsie and the kids took off to explore. They located what was later identified as a Japanese balloon bomb. Due to unknown circumstances the bomb detonated, killing Elsie and all five children.

Finished and dedicated in 1950, the Mitchell Monument is dedicated to the six residents of Bly, who were the only WWII casualties to occur on continental U.S. soil as a result of enemy action. The monument is a simple brick pillar bearing a plaque that commemorates the action and lists the names of the casualties.

Here is a moving first hand account as witnessed by a retired forest service employee who was guarding the aftermath of the bombing.

Note: This is one of the few Forest Service roads in Oregon that is well-maintained and paved so access shouldn't be a problem to this site.

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Tour of Honor-Oregon is sponsored by Randy Holcomb from Salem.