Author Gregg Jones gives a lecture on WWII hero Ben Kuroki at the Lincoln County Historical Museum.
By Stephen W. Kay, P.C. Contributor
Author Gregg Jones gave a lecture at the Lincoln County Historical Museum in North Platte, Neb., on July 24 about the amazing life of World War II hero Ben Kuroki. Jones’ new book, “Most Honorable Son: A Forgotten Hero’s Fight Against Fascism and Hate During World War II,” was released on July 23. Jones is currently on a book tour, making stops in Nebraska (Lincoln, North Platte and Scottsbluff) and the Heart Mountain Interpretive Center in Powell, Wyo.
Author Gregg Jones at the Lincoln County Historical Museum (Photo: Courtesy of Steve Kay)
Jones became interested in Kuroki’s military service as his uncle also served in the United States Army Air Force 93rd bomber group during WWII. The book, which features a number of historic photos, spans Kuroki’s life story, from growing up in Nebraska, experiences in the Army Air Force (Europe and Pacific theaters), exposure to the incarceration tragedy, speaking tours, graduation from the University of Nebraska and a journalism career, as well as the honors and recognition he received later in life. Kuroki is the only known American of Japanese descent to have taken part in air combat operations in the Pacific Theater during WWII.
It was fitting for this lecture to take place at the Lincoln County Historical Museum. Kuroki was raised on a farm near Hershey, Neb. (located in Lincoln County — approximately 13 miles west of North Platte), and he graduated from Hershey High School in 1939.
Ironically, Kuroki was present at a JACL meeting held by Mike Masaoka in the basement of the Episcopal Church in North Platte on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941. Masaoka was arrested at that time. North Platte Chief of Police O. L. Discoe wrote a letter to FBI Special Agent Raffiety on Dec. 8, 1941, providing Raffiety a list of all Japanese families in Lincoln County. Kuroki’s name appears on this list. Discoe’s letter is currently on display as part of the “Japanese of Lincoln County” exhibit that is featured at the Lincoln County Historical Museum.
“Most Honorable Son: A Forgotten Hero’s Fight Against Fascism and Hate During World War II” is available for purchase at Amazon.com.
