If this site was useful to you, we'd be happy for a small donation. Be sure to enter "MLA donation" in the Comments box.
Patzke, Joan (1934-1945)
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1945 Jun 14 p. 5
Birth date: 1934
FIRST BOMB VICTIMS DIED AT LAKEVIEW, ORE.
DOUBTLESS the first victims in the history of the United States who died as result of explosion of an enemy bomb dropped on this country, were the six persons killed on May 5 near Lakeview, Oregon.
Immediate cause of the tragedy was the curiosity of an 11 year old girl who spied a Japanese balloon while on a fishing trip.
According to a press dispatch, 11 year old Joan Patzke spotted the balloon as she trotted about the southern Oregon woods with Rev. Archie Mitchell, his wife, and four other youngsters on an outing from their home at Bly, ore.
She called the others, one of them tugged at a piece of the balloon. A tremendous explosion followed.
Mr. Mitchell, only survivor, said he escaped because he was a short distance behind the others.
