During WWII, Ben Kuroki would become the only Japanese-American to fly air combat missions in North Africa, Europe and the Pacific while serving in the US Army Air Force.
Volunteering to fly as turret gunner of a B24 Liberator, he had survived the required 25 missions over Europe and requested 5 more despite having being injured by Flak and previously shot down over North Africa. One of those missions included the disastrous bombing raid of the Ploiesti oil refineries in Romania (see previous post).
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He then went on to complete 28 more bombing runs over mainland Japan aboard a B29 Superfortress, completing a total of 58 missions.
He earned several medals to include 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses and the Air Medal with 5 OLC.
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When asked about his battle to overcome prejudice which almost prevented him from being allowed to participate in overseas aerial combat missions, Kuroki stated, "I had to fight like hell for the right to fight for my own country"
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(Ben Kuroki holding the shattered Plexiglass turret from his 30th bombing mission over Europe. Had a radio man not tugged on his pant leg, causing him to bend down to see what he wanted, Kuroki would have been killed by the shell that hit the turret.) #respect #flyboyz #ww2 #stayzero #zerofoxtrot