The occurred on 27 September 1977, in Yokohama, Japan. In the crash, a United States Marine Corps RF-4B-41-MC, BuNo ''157344'', c/n 3717, 'RF611', of VMFP-3, a (reconnaissance variant of the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II) flown by a United States Marine Corps crew based at nearby Naval Air Facility Atsugi, en route to USS ''Midway'' in Sagami Bay, suffered a mechanical malfunction, the port engine caught fire, and crashed into a residential neighborhood. The crash killed two boys, ages 1 and 3, and injured seven others, several seriously. The two-man crew of the aircraft, Capt. J. E. Miller, of Mendota, Illinois, and 1st Lt. D. R. Durbin, of Natchitoches, Louisiana, ejected and were not seriously injured. The crash, which occurred near present-day Eda Station, destroyed several houses. The two young boys initially survived the crash into their home, but died later from severe burns. The boys' mother, Kazue Doshida, was also severely burned. Due to the fear that she would be adversely affected during her recovery by the shock, she was not told until 29 January 1979, that her sons had died. Upon hearing of their deaths, Doshida responded that she wanted to hold them one more time. Doshida died in 1982, aged 31, from complications related to her injuries.

Memorial

In memorial to Doshida, a statue was erected in 1985 in a Yokohama park. The statue depicts her holding her two sons.Kusumoto, Hana,
Japanese remember mother, children killed after Marine Corps jet crashed 40 years ago
, '' Stars and Stripes'', 26 September 2017 Memorial Statue Yokohama

References

* * Accidents and incidents involving United States Navy and Marine Corps aircraft Aviation accidents and incidents in 1977 Aviation accidents and incidents in Japan United States Navy in the 20th century United States military in Japan Yokohama F-4 crash, 1977 Japan–United States relations Yokohama United States Marine Corps in the 20th century September 1977 events in Asia {{aviation-accident-stub

Memorial

See also

References