Farmington in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Farmington's Firebomb

— The Michigan WWII Historic Trail —

Photographed by John Ridley, July 28, 2025

1. Farmington's Firebomb Marker

Inscription. Starting November 3, 1944, the Imperial Japanese Army launched more than 9,300 "Fu-Go" bombs – balloons made of paper and potato paste, filled with hydrogen and affixed to incendiary explosives. They were released from the main home island of Honshu, timed to ride the jet stream to the United States. About 280 balloons made it. An Army Services report concluded that one of these landed on the property of John T. Cook of Farmington in late March 1945. Fortunately, the ensuing fire lasted only a few minutes and caused no damage.

The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial recognizes Farmington and its footsteps on The Michigan WWII Historic Trail.

To learn more about The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial, visit www.michiganww2memorial.org

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1945.

Location. 42° 27.94′ N, 83° 22.669′ W. Marker is in Farmington, Michigan, in Oakland County. It is at the intersection of Oakland Street and Grand River Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Oakland Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address:

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

33424 Oakland Street, Farmington MI 48336, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan

and in Greater Detroit.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Farmington War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); First Quaker Meeting (within shouting distance of this marker); Farmington Masonic Temple and Farmington Township Hall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); City of Farmington (about 400 feet away); Heeney-Sundquist Funeral Home, Inc. (about 500 feet away); Farmington's First Post Office (about 500 feet away); The Village Center (about 700 feet away); Travel Through Time (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Farmington.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Japanese Firebombs

Also see . . . Fu-Go balloon bomb.

Photographed by John Ridley, July 28, 2025

2. Farmington's Firebomb Marker

Excerpt:

On May 5, 1945, six civilians were killed near Bly, Oregon, when they discovered one of the balloon bombs in Fremont National Forest, becoming the only fatalities from Axis action in the continental U.S. during the war.

(Submitted on May 12, 2026, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)

Japanese fire balloon image. Click for full size.

Photographed by U.S. Army, January 10, 1945

3. Japanese fire balloon

Credits. This page was last revised on May 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2025, by John Ridley of Chelsea, Michigan. This page has been viewed 138 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 1, 2025, by John Ridley of Chelsea, Michigan. 3. submitted on May 12, 2026, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.