A WWII AAF legend is gone

[SSI01]

Ben Kuroki from Hershey, NE, died this last weekend. To me his reputation was cemented by his volunteering to fly on the low-level Ploesti raid of August 1, 1943 - probably the costliest heavy-bomber raid in USAAF history. Every man who climbed into a B-24 in North Africa that morning was a hero. Mr. Kuroki was just one of many, but his struggle to overcome prejudices associated with his ethnicity, as his determination to be viewed as an individual American, are what set the standard for others to follow. He served brilliantly. RIP.

[Daveroo]

rest in piece sir.


my sisters ex father inlaw was a B24 crewman on that raid...he was a engine mechanic,,and one of the bombers needed a tail gunner......he said the worst part for him was fitting into the tail.he passed away in the mid 90s

[Panther_99FS]

Salute!
Read about him the other day - pure guts and heart to get into aviation let alone the army during those times...