He was American in every way, except for his last name.
May 16, 1917: Ben Kuroki, who would go on to become the only Japanese American to fly combat missions over Japan in World War II, is born in Nebraska
Ben was born on May 16, 1917, in Gothenburg, Nebraska. He grew up doing chores on the family farm, cheering for American sports teams, playing basketball for his high school, and even serving as senior class vice president.
In every way that mattered, Ben was American.
Except his last name was Kuroki. His parents were Japanese immigrants.
When Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, Ben didn’t hesitate. He volunteered for the U.S. military, determined to prove his loyalty. But the Army told him: We don’t accept “enemy aliens.”
Ben didn’t give up. He kept pushing until he was finally allowed to join, assigned to a non-combat role in the Army Air Forces. It wasn’t enough for him. He wanted to fly.
And somehow, against all odds, he did.
Ben Kuroki became the only Japanese American to fly combat missions over Europe in World War II, completing 30 bombing runs. Later, he fought to be allowed into the Pacific Theater, where he flew 28 more missions against Japan.
When the war ended, Ben didn’t stop fighting. He traveled the country, speaking out against racism and injustice. He urged Americans to learn from the wartime incarceration of Japanese Americans, calling it a stain on the nation’s ideals.
In reflecting on his life, Ben once said: “I had to fight like hell for the right to fight for my own country.”
Let’s remember this farmer boy from Nebraska, so maybe others won’t have to fight like hell just for the right to fight for their country.
So a last name like Kuroki isn’t any less American than Smith.
