Former York publisher Kuroki in spotlight

Ben Kuroki, one-time resident and publisher of a newspaper in York, was honored in Washington, D.C., for his dedicated and heroic service to America in World War II.
The film “Most Honorable Son” tells the story of Kuroki, one of very few Nisei (Americans of Japanese heritage) admitted to the Army Air Corps. Kuroki earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses and was heralded as the first Nisei war hero after flying 30 combat missions in Europe as a B-24 bomber tailgunner and top turret gunner.
Kuroki was sent on a tour of World War II relocation camps where Japanese Americans were held against their will during the fighting. His mission was to promote recruitment and help mitigate growing resistance to the draft.
Kuroki requested duty in the Pacific, but was at first turned down. Finally he prevailed, however, and the eventual York resident became the only Japanese American to serve in active combat with the Air Corps in the Pacific Theater where he flew — and survived — an additional 28 missions against Japan.
In his letter inviting Kuroki to Washington, Smithsonian Air and Space Museum Director John R. Dailey wrote, “We would be delighted if you would join us for the event and share further reflections with our audience after the film. Your presence would make it a very special evening indeed. Our very knowledgeable audiences crave the chance to hear directly from first-hand participants in aviation history, particularly those with experience as interesting as yours.”