Japanese Submarine Attack on Fort Stevens
June 21st, 1942
June 21st, 1942
How Long Ago?
82 years, 8 months, 22 days ago
Location
Fort Stevens, Oregon, USA
Category
Military & Warfare
War/Conflict
World War II
Links & References
Tags
Japanese Submarine Attack on Fort Stevens
A Japanese submarine surfaced near the Columbia River, targeting Fort Stevens with 17 artillery shells. The attack, one of the few on the U.S. mainland during World War II, occurred along the Oregon coast. Fortunately, no significant damage was done, though the attack raised concerns about the vulnerability of the U.S. mainland to enemy action.
I-25 was a Japanese Type B submarine.
17 shells were fired, but no casualties occurred.
This marked one of the few attacks on U.S. soil.
Fort Stevens was an important coastal defense site.
What Happened?
On June 21, 1942, during World War II, a Japanese submarine, I-25, surfaced near the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon and launched a surprise attack on Fort Stevens. The attack involved firing a total of 17 shells at the fort, which was primarily a coastal defense installation intended to protect American interests from naval threats. Fort Stevens had previously been equipped with artillery, but at the time of the attack, much of its artillery was outdated and not operational. Fortunately, none of the shells landed directly on any critical installations or personnel, and there were no reported casualties.
Why Does it Matter?
This incident is a unique example of direct combat on U.S. soil during World War II, highlighting vulnerabilities in American coastal defenses. It served to illustrate the psychological impact of warfare on the home front, demonstrating that the United States was not invulnerable and that enemy forces had the capability to strike at the heart of the country. The attack prompted increased vigilance along the coast and shifted resources to coastal defense.
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