Ben Kuroki Obituary

So glad I reconnected with Ben and Shig a couple years ago. I wanted them to know how much they meant to Williamston and especially to my parents who they were good friends with. They were both a light in my life growing up. May Ben rest in peace.

You will always be my hero.
May you forever be in peace, Ben.
Dave Flood

And when my time on earth is over,
When Taps sounds the Final Call.
I will say proudly to my Maker,
I'm here to join the others Sir.
The ones who came before Me.
Who answered Freedom's Call.

You fought battles on all fronts Mr Kuroki.
A truly ''Great American''
Kevin Hussey SR
londonderry, NH

Rest in Peace

I am from Hershey, NE also and he was always kind of a hero of mine, I admired him for fighting to serve over Japan.

My deepest sympathy to the Kuroki family. We are free because our nation had such brave men and women like Ben Kuroki who undertook dangerous air missions to overcome an enemy intent on destroying the American way of life.We will always honor the Greatest Generation and airmen like Ben Kuroki. You led the way for the modern USAF ! Rest in Peace.Greg Bennett, Andrews American Legion Post 69, Andrews, SC.

I am sorry to hear about the loss of your loved one.
May the love and compassion of God be with the family and friends, during and after these difficult times.
(Psalm 23)

A true American who loved his country and fought for the right to fight for it. God bless him.

Thank you for your service and may peace be with you and your family. A true American hero with an inspiring life story.

Thank you, Mr. Kuroki, for being bigger than fear, embitterment, or anger. You serve as an example for all of us. RIP.

To the Kuroki family,
Heartfelt condolences on the death of your husband and father. My parents, Ralph and Gerry Shuck of Williamston, Michigan, took our Girl Scout troop to Washington, D.C. in 1962. One of the highlights was searching for Mr. Kuroki's picture in the Smithsonian. Somewhere in their house is a photo of that portrait. I knew he was a war hero, but I didn't realize to what an extent! Your family was sorely missed when you moved away. God bless your whole family.

Ben was a humble hero who never sought recognition for it.
I was honored to be able to tell his story, which others -- rightly -- felt deserved to be shared.
Paul Hammel
Omaha World-Herald

Sorry for your loss. I had five Uncles in that war and lots of friends. God bless him and all his family. Sgt Terrel Jamett Clark US Army Vietnam 1969-1970

Kuroki Family,
Prayers go out to you during this difficult time. I was able to meet Mr.Kuroki as a young fifth grade student, several years ago. I was doing a history day project on Mr. Kuroki. He invited us into his home and shared his story with us. I will never forget this wonderful experience. I will continue Mr.Kuroki's fight against hate, he had told us that was his 69th mission.

I'm sure you've witnessed a lot, being a soldier you would, but finally my friend you can rest in peace. Congratulations!

You have our most heartfelt condolences. Please remember that you're not alone and that you're surrounded by people who love you and care for you.

Rest in peace Mr. Kuroki. My deepest condolences to your family.

Julie, please accept my condolences for your loss. I remember your Dad's smile. I lost my Dad in 04 and miss him. We've lost contact over the years but I think of you often. Contact me if you want to catch up.
Denise knows how to find me.

God promises a new heaven and new earth, where all of mankind will reside in paradise. May God comfort and strengthen you during this difficult time (Matt.6:9.10).

May your family find peace and comfort in knowing sickness, pain and death will one day be gone for this has been promised.

Thank you for your service. RIP Mr. Kuroki.

My sincere condolences to the family for the loss of your loved one. May prayers strengthen you and memories comfort you, and may our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, who loves us, comfort your hearts and "make you firm". (2 Thessalonians 2:16, 17)

My condolences to the family. May you draw strength and comfort from the. GOd of comfort. during. this difficult.. 2cor 1:3-5

To the Kuroki family,
May God bless you with understanding in your time of need and Ben a well deserved rest in Heaven.

My condolences to Kerry and the entire Kuroki family. Kerry often spoke about her father when we were Peace Corps Volunteers in Malaysia, and I now realize the far reaching impact of her father's heroism.

Ben was an encouraging co-worker to a young journalist, a friend of warm and gentle humor, and a golfing buddy whose company was always more important than the scorecard. I only learned of his heroism years later. He never mentioned what he did in WWII, which was his nature and the true mark of a hero.

Mr Kuroki and members of the 442nd combat team. They displayed true heroism. As a member of the USAF and Vienam, rest well old soldier.
P.J.Belardino Santa maria,CA

RIP you were a truly American hero! God rest your soul!

I have been thinking about Ben the last several days, remembering times I baby sat for the girls, and the overall gentleness of Ben and the family. It has been many years since I have seen any of the family but always feel a soft spot in my heart for all the Kuroki's.
I was saddened to learn of his passing, but perhaps there is still a small connection as I have found him frequently in my thoughts lately. I will light a candle and pray for him and your family.
Please accept my condolences and deepest sympathy for your loss. He was a very special man, and am very proud to have known him.

With deepest affection,
Jerilyn Thompson-Mulhern of Williamston, Michigan
([email protected])

My thoughts go out to the family in this time of grief over the passing of Mr. Kuroki. I went to college with Kerry, my dorm "mom", (remember the flowers). She told us about her father and how proud she was of him and his accomplishments. May he rest in peace.

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Most Honorable Son, I never met you, but my mother, Arleta Bell, your sister Rose's best friend, told me about you and your service. I have shared your story with many of my U.S. history students over the past years, and I know they understand honor and service and patriotism because of you. You defined what it means to be American. May we strive to make our lives as honorable as yours.
Blessings to all the Kuroki family.

Thank You Mr Kuroki for your services,i was two years old during WWii,God Bless You,You ARE MY HERO,To your family my condolences

MTo the family of Ben Kuroki my condolences and prayers. From a former neighbor with fond memories of the whole Kuroki family. I was a classmate of Rosemary, who shared Ben's wartime letters from the European front. Arleta J. (Fry) Bell, Estes Park, CO

We have many military family members, past and present, and in their names, we honor you, Ben Kuroki.
God bless you and your family!

I'm so proud of your service and contributions.

Thank you great warrior. America is a united country, we served with honor and duty to preserve the dignity of our country, therefore, nationality does not mean anything. We are untied ready to defeat those who try to defeat us. You did not die, you just "fade away"

What a hero....To the family...I am so happy I read his obituary, and my heart goes out to the family. I was so """moved""""when he said he was an American first. We, here in America, were so fortunate to have HIM represent America. Job well done true and faithful HERO.

"He counts the number of the stars; He calls all of them by name."-Psalm 147:4. May you find comfort in knowing your loved one is resting safely in God's limitless memory.
LENYSE, NYC

To the Family of Ben Kuroki:
Sorry to hear about your loss. I know how difficult this time must be for you.

In God's care rest in peace

My heartfelt condolences to the Kuroki family, especially Kerry. I remember so well the stories you told us as Peace Corps Volunteers in Malaysia, and later reading about him and watching the documentary with my husband Clark. Take care, dear friend.

May the God of all comfort be with you at this difficult time.

Kuroki family
Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss.
May the God of comfort continue to bless your family as you deal with your loss. And continue to pray for peace. It will be granted.

Respectfully,

A truly great American. Rest in peace sir.

Thank you for your service. I am sorry that you had to endure what you went through before you and your brothers were able to serve our country. RIP soldier. You deserve it.

My condolences to you and your family for the loss of your husband, a great American. His life with you for all the years of your marriage must have been a joy to you. His service to his country is an outstanding tribute to him and his life. Rest in peace.

To the families I send my condolences to you on the loss of your love one, I do not know you personally, think of world without tears, where our dead love ones can live for a million of years never a grief or ache or a pain, never ever thinking of dying. The Good New of God Kingdom Daniel 2:44 is the hope that God have promise to bring on earth. Psalm 83:18, Jesus [our Savoir ] told us to pray for God Kingdom to come. Matthew 6:10. Psalm 115:16, Isaiah 45:18

Kuroki Family,

Our condolences to the Kuroki Family. Cherish his memories. May the God who gives peace.-RO.15:33

May the God of comfort be with your family.

To the Kuroki family,

My prayers are with you during this difficult time. His legacy of strength and persistence lives on in you. And, I thank him for his service to our country so we can maintain freedom. God bless.

My sincere sympathy and condolences to the whole Kuroki family, especially to Kerry. Mr. Kuroki was a true American hero. I did not realize the full significance of what Kerry told me of her father when were together in the Peace Corps in Malaysia. It was only many years later, after reading about him and seeing a documentary, that I realized the full impact of what he had done in WWII. But I am sure that, to his family, that was only a very small part of what he was to them.

I was sorry to read about the loss of your loved one. You have my condolences. Our Heavenly Father cares for us. 1 Peter 5:6-7

A good and loyal American will be missed.

What a hero. Like most hero's of WW2 he was a quiet persistent hero. In spite others he saw himself as a American first and a Japanese second. His story needs to be told!!

A true American hero

As a veteran, I have no words after reading this. Ben has my ultimate respect and gratitude. It is an ultimate honor to be connected to this man no matter how small or distant. What a giant of a human being. Boy, is this country missing someone special! I am sad at his passing and prayers go out to his family and for his memory.

Dear Shige and family. Denny and I remember both you and Ben from our times together in York. We were so privileged to know both of you. We had renewed our friendship with Ben in 2007 when we heard about his award. He wrote such a gracious letter and included a booklet about his life. Our hearts are full and we share your sorrow on his passing.

Natalie Meehan, Waterloo, IA

My sincere condolences for the family

I met Ben Kuroki in about 1944 when he visited the Relocation Camp at Heart Mountain, Wyoming where my parents worked and we lived. As I recall, Ben was a top gunner on B-24's flying out of North Africa. His turret was hit by enemy shellfire during a raid on Ploesti, but Ben was not injured. My high school annual says that Ben was awarded 2 Flying Crosses and 1 Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters. Ben was a quiet and unassuming hero. I still have his autographed photo.

Dear Kerry, Kris, Julie,
Your mom and dad and you three women were wonderful neighbors. My father enjoyed swapping stories with your dad, and to the best of my recollection they mostly had to do with grass growth and border plants...and, I'm sure, with the rigors of rearing teen-aged daughters.

A U.S. patriot that rose to the occasion to defend his country and risk his life despite obstacles and adversity deserves my admiration and thanks for his WW11 service! R.I.P. patriot!

Please accept my deepest sympathy to the Kuroki family regarding the loss of Ben. His courage and persistence were character traits that we all should admire. May God grant you peace during your sorrow -Romans15:33.

May God Bless Ben Kuroki and his Family, Friends and the Band of Brothers that he fought along side during World War II to defeat the evil forces which tried to enslave all of Humanity.Let us give thanks to God for Ben Kuroki, and for all Our Veterans who have stepped forward to keep America, The Land of The Free.

My condolences to the family. Mr. Kuroki was the epitome of a true patriot and showed such perseverance in wanting to proudly serve his country, despite pervasive discrimination. He is a true hero and role model. We are all grateful for his service, strength, and courage. Again, my sympathies.

Peg Bycholski

May the many memories the Kuroki family has shared over the years help to ease the sorrow they now feel. May drawing close to God strengthen and comfort you during this difficult time. (Psalms 46:1)

To the KUROKI FAMILY in their time of grief, I'm truly sorry for your loss. I'm sure Mr. Kuroki was a dedicated American.

Thank you Sir for your service to my country and yours! When I think of how hard you fought to fight for the freedom we enjoy today! Thank you again. I never knew you until I read about you today. May you rest in peace with our Heavenly Father.

Thank you for your loyal service to your country, The USA. RIP.

I am sorry for your loss.

Please accept my heartfelt condolences for the loss of your loved one. May the God of all comfort be with you during this difficult time in your lives. We all yearn for better conditions. It's refreshing to know that God's word speaks of a time when all sorrows will be gone and that mankind will live in beautiful surroundings with nothing to fear. - (Isaiah 65:17,21-24)

Rest Ben, until you hear at dawn,
the low, clear reveille of God.

Thank you for your service to this nation.

A great hero,Ben Kuroki! During the sixties I assigned my classes to do a report on the Relocation Camps. Some of them interviewed Ben Kuroki. Jules Guis, editor at the time wrote about this student assignment in an editorial. John Flynn

We'll miss you !

Thank you for your service Sir. You are what makes America great. Rest in peace.

My heartfelt condolences to the Kuroki family for your loss! Ben Kuroki well understood that we are all of one family, the human family. I believe his ultimate goal in joining WWII was to achieve God's promise of world peace. Who would not be proud to have known such as man!

Thank you for your service to our country Mr. Kuroki! As a former P.O.W. during WW11 I would not be here today if you were not the true American that you proved to the world that you are. My condolences to your family and thank you again for your service to our country and helping to save my life.

Dear Family of Ben Kuroki,we
extend our sympathy to you.May
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ give you comfort and
peace in your hearts today
and the days ahead.Thank
GOD for Mr.Kuroki and his
brothers, their contribution
of service for our country.
The Hall Family,S.C.

Like most of our WWII vets, I had never heard of Mr. Kuroki until I saw his obituary.

I'm glad I saw his obituary and learned his life story and have a chance to thank him for his service, postumously.

I just wish I had had the opportunity to thank him and all of the USA's other war vets in person.

My deepest sympathy for your loss. A great American and hero with all the obstacles he had. My prayers to the family

What an inspiration this man is. He rose above the obstacles that were before him and made history! He was an exceptional human being and a true American hero! It is no wonder they are called "The Greatest Generation." Thank you for your faithful service to your country. Many enjoy freedom today because of brave men like you. May you now rest with your brothers in arms.

Thank You

A life lived well and full with much honor.

Teaching at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, I have shown the documentary about him to countless students. He was a true American hero, and Nebraska will remain proud of all his accomplishments. May he always be remembered with honor and inspire us to kindness.

thanks for your contributions and your brothers also

My sincere condolences to your family members. He was diligent and determined, hoping those memories will always strengthen your family through this most difficult time. Acts10:34.

Dear Kuroki Family;
A man with the heart of a lion and the soul of a servant - I offer my sincere respect. Well done, good and faithful servant. You brought honor to your family. Thank you.
Jim Mass

God Bless --- Thanks for serving --- rest in peace

Ben and Shige were among my very best friends during the 1950s in Williamston and Ben and I corresponded for many years. I have numerous memories to share and will send a letter to the home address. Donna Johnson Sears.

Thank You from the bottom of my heart for your dedication and service to our country. Rest Well My Fellow American.

Thank you for your service to this country, especially for how hard you had to fight just to be able to show your American heart. I am sure that you made a huge impact on Japanese/Americans.

I had never heard of Mr. Kuroki until reading this obituary. My sincere condolences to his family. This family were true Americans even though their ancestry was Japanese. The parents obviously taught their children to love their adopted country. As a veteran of the USAF, I salute them as well as their survivors! May God Bless you all.

God bless you, and thank you for your service ~ Rest in peace.

Condolences on a truly great AMERICAN!

Rest In Peace Mr. Kuroki. You many friends in Williamston, Michigan remember you well and the work you did at the Williamston Enterprise. Mike Dmochowski and family.

Thank you for your service to our country. God bless and my prayers to your family.

Thank you for your determination, a True American Hero !

his story has been an inspiration since i was a child ! ( i am 77)

Thank you for your service. Rest in peace.

Dear Shige and Julie,
I'm sure you don't remember me but I have fond memories of spending time at your house in Williamston, MI. My Mom ,(Blanche Lueck) brought me to your house on many occasions. She thought highly of Ben & was a good friend to Shige. I was young, but was always in awe of Mr. Kuroki / Ben. Even at my young age, I understood what a great hero he was. What a wonderful human being. I am sorry for your loss.

A grateful group of us thank you, as I pray you were thanked endlessly during your life.