Nisei War Hero Asks Tolerance For Loyal Kin

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 5.--(AP)--Sergt. Ben Kuroki, an outstanding hero of the war, pleaded for tolerance of loyal Americans of Japanese ancestry yesterday and said despite his uniform and medals "I don't know for sure if it's safe to walk the streets of my own country."

The 25-year-old farm boy from Hershey, Neb., a gunner on 30 bombing missions over Europe and Africa, told the Commonwealth Club that he and his brother, Fred, were "the loneliest boys in the United States Army" two years ago, and that he would "rather go through all those bombing missions again" then relive his training days.

Kuroki holds the Distinguished Flying Cross for participation in the Ploesti oil-field raid, and the Air Medal. He was scheduled to return home after 25 missions but volunteered for an extra five "because my brother wasn't overseas yet and I wanted my family in the show."

The sergeant has asked assignment in the Pacific Theatre and drew an ovation with the words: "When I visit Tokyo it will be in a Liberator bomber."

Kuroki told of "begging with tears in my eyes" for permission to stay with the outfit to which he was first assigned, even though at first "only one boy was kind to me;" of having pilots refuse to take him in their crews--"I understood how they felt;" and of ultimately getting with "a great bunch."

"Fifteen months in combat teaches you what brotherhood, tolerance and equality really are."