WWII: Sergeant Ben Kuroki Hero of the Skies.

 🇺🇲WWII: Sergeant Ben Kuroki Hero of the Skies.

"Ben Kuroki finished the war as one of most highly decorated Sergeants in WW II. Believed to be only enlisted man to fight in three theaters (Western Europe, Mediterranean, Pacific). 

He flew 30 missions with the 8th AAF, 58 total with USAAF. Sergeant Kuroki flew on the August 1943 Ploesti raid, returning safely to Libya."Kuroki became a gunner in a B-24 squadron based in Europe.

 He served with distinction and after completing 30 combat missions, more than the standard full tour of 25, Kuroki returned to the fight by serving another full tour of duty as a B-29 gunner in the Pacific. 

He was the only Japanese American to serve in air combat in the Pacific, and one of very few soldiers at all to have fought in both the European and Pacific theaters. 

He completed a total of 58 combat missions and was awarded three Distinguished Flying Crosses and the Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters. 

Ben returned to Nebraska after the war and earned a degree in journalism from The University of Nebraska. 

Subsequently, he worked for several newspapers and advocated for equal rights against prejudice. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University in 2005. 

Sergeant Ben Kuroki was also honored in 2005 with the Distinguished Service Medal for his impressive combat service record during the war. 

Sergeant Kuroko passed away on September 1, 2015 at the age of 98. He lies in rest at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park in Camarillo California. Lest We Forget.

WWII uncovered original description and photos sourced by the following: Nebraska Public Media, National Air and space Museum and US Air Force (Fair Use Photos)