President Honors Kuroki, Nisei Veterans
Saturday, May 17, 2008

Bush pays tribute to heroism of 442nd RCT during APA Heritage Month celebration.

Joyce N. Boghosian
President George W. Bush salutes Tech Sgt. Ben Kuroki, of the U.S. Army Air Force, during his remarks on May 1 at the Celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in the East Room of the White House.


Kuroki

WASHINGTON.—President George W. Bush saluted Tech Sgt. Ben Kuroki and paid tribute to the bravery of Nisei veterans of World War II, with a nod to his home state of Texas, during a cel­ebration for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month held May 1 in the East Room of the White House.

“The 442nd is best known for their mission to rescue the trapped soldiers of the Texas National Guard’s ‘Lost Battalion.’ Lot of Texans are thanking you guys for that, by the way,” remarked the president.

“In the mountains of Eastern France, the 442nd went up against the heavily entrenched Germans and suffered dev­astating casualties. But their courage saved more than 200 of their brothers. Their valor helped earn them several Presidential Unit Citations, and helped make their unit one of the most highly decorated in U.S. military history. Their sacrifice earns the gratitude of the nation they defended—an attitude we express today to the men of the 442nd. Thank you for coming,” said Bush. 

As the audience applauded, the Nisei veterans rose spontaneously and saluted their Commander-in-Chief, who returned the salute. This event was reminiscent of President Harry S. Truman’s review of the 442nd RCT at the Ellipse, the outer south lawn of the White House, follow­ing its march down Constitution Avenue on July 15, 1946, when he praised the Nisei for fighting the enemy abroad and prejudice at home. 

Six Japanese American Veterans As­sociation (JAVA) World War II veterans were selected by the White House to represent the 360,000 Asian Pacific American veterans and 29,000 active duty personnel for special recognition.

Seated at the front row were Joe Ichiuji (442nd Regimental Combat Team), Yeiichi Kelly Kuwayama (442nd Regimental Combat Team), Grant Ichi­kawa (Military Intelligence Service), Grant Hirabayashi (Military Intelligence Service -Merrill’s Marauders), Ben Kuroki (U.S. Army Air Corps gunner), and Terry Shima (442nd Regimental Combat Team).

To Kuroki, who flew 58 air combat missions in Europe and Japan, the presi­dent said, “I do want to point out one soul who’s joined us—and Ben is not going to be happy about it, Ben Kuroki. He probably doesn’t want to be called out but I’m going to do it anyway, Ben. I’ve got the podium and you don’t.

“Two days after Pearl Harbor, Ben volunteered to join the Army, where there is no doubt he met prejudice at nearly every turn. Still, he became one of the few Nisei admitted to the Army Air Corps. He flew 58 missions over Europe and Japan, and he earned three Distinguished Flying Crosses. When he came back home, he turned to another mission: working to overcome the in­tolerance he had experienced during his early days in the Army. Ben edited newspapers. He spoke to audiences around the country. He became a strong advocate of racial equality. He knew something—and he knew the subject well, unfortunately. Sixty years after the Japanese surrender, Ben received the U.S. Army Distinguished Service Medal. And at the ceremony, here’s what he said: ‘I had to fight like hell to fight for my country—and now I feel completely vindicated.’ We are glad you feel vindicated, but I am proud to tell you America is a better place because of you, Ben. Thank you for coming.”

Kuroki stood erect and smartly saluted his commander-in-chief; the president returned his salute.

Fourteen other JAVA members were invited to witness this extraordinary pro­gram in which Asian Pacific Americans were recognized by the highest authority of this nation. They also participated in an elegant reception that followed in the State Dining Room. Asian American of­ficials invited to the White House event were former Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta, Secretary of Labor Elaine Chow, and Rep. David Wu of Or­egon. JAVA President Robert Nakamoto, Japanese America Citizens League (JACL) National Director Floyd Mori, as well as National Japanese American Memorial Foundation President and Executive Director Gerald Yamada also participated in the White House event.

Kuroki was also honored that eve­ning at a tribute before a packed audi­ence at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. The event featured a screening of the documentary of his life, “The Most Honorable Son,” at the Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater. Museum Direc­tor, General John R. Dailey, U.S. Marine Corps (retired), cited Kuroki’s courage and perseverance to remain in the Corps which was rife with discrimination and prejudice against Japanese Americans.

In the question and answer period Kuroki, the only Japanese American who flew in air combat missions in the Asia Pacific theater, was asked how he felt about dropping bombs on the people of his ancestry.

He replied: “I felt terrible for the people, especially women and children, the same way the German American airmen felt about dropping bombs in Germany and the Italian Americans in Italy. But we were in a war against fierce Axis powers, which were determined to abolish our democratic system.”