RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Ben Kuroki has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 98; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, Ben Kuroki was a decorated World War II hero and the loving husband of Shige; and
WHEREAS, Ben Kuroki was the much-adored father of Julie, Kerry and Kristyn, the grandfather of four and the great-grandfather of one to whom he imparted many of the fine and noble qualities that he possessed in abundance; and
WHEREAS, Ben Kuroki was the dear brother of Rosemary; and
WHEREAS, Born in Nebraska to Japanese immigrant parents, Ben Kuroki enlisted in the military after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor; and
WHEREAS, A member of our "Greatest Generation," Ben Kuroki joined the 93rd Bomber Group as a tail-gunner and flew 58 bombing missions over Europe, North Africa and Japan, including raids on Tokyo; and
WHEREAS, Ben Kuroki was a survivor of the costly raid on the Nazi-held Ploesti oilfields in Romania that killed 310 flyers in his group; and
WHEREAS, While U.S. Army Air Forces policy allowed bomber crews who survived 25 missions to return home, Ben Kuroki stayed on to prove his loyalty; and
WHEREAS, Following the war, Ben Kuroki graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska and worked at newspapers in Nebraska, Michigan and California; and
WHEREAS, Ben Kuroki was a recipient of two Distinguished Flying Crosses, an Air Medal with four oakleaf clusters and the Distinguished Service Medal; and
WHEREAS, The patriotism, bravery and dedication of Ben Kuroki serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, His love of life and ability to live it to the fullest endeared Ben Kuroki to his family members, friends and all who knew him, and enabled him to enrich their lives in ways they will never forget; and
WHEREAS, Ben Kuroki will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his many relatives, friends and admirers; and
WHEREAS, To his belov...
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