[5] After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7, 1941, Ben's father encouraged him and his brother Fred to enlist in the U.S. Military.

Assigned to the 93rd Bombardment Group at Fort Myers, Florida, he was told that Japanese Americans would not be allowed to serve overseas.

On August 1, 1943, he participated in the bombing mission known as Operation Tidal Wave, an effort to destroy the major oil refinery located in Ploiești, Romania.

[8] During rest and recovery back in the United States, Kuroki was directed by the Army to visit a number of Japanese American internment camps in order to encourage able-bodied males to enlist in the U.S. military.

[8] After another 28 missions in the Pacific Theater, Kuroki was awarded a third Distinguished Flying Cross as well as the Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters.

He engaged in a series of speaking tours discussing these issues, which he funded with his own savings and with minor donations, including proceeds from Ralph G. Martin's biography written about him entitled Boy From Nebraska: The Story of Ben Kuroki (1946).

On August 12, 2005, Kuroki was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his impressive combat participation during the war and for overcoming numerous incidents of prejudice.

He was awarded an honorary Doctorate from the University of Nebraska on August 13, 2005 and is the subject of the Public Broadcasting Service documentary "Most Honorable Son: Ben Kuroki's Amazing War Story".