Dean E Hess (1917^[1] - ) was an American minister and United States Air Force colonel who was involved in the so called "Kiddy Car Airlift", the documented rescue of 950 orphans and 80 orphanage staff from the path of the Chinese advance during the Korean War, on December 20, 1950. He is the subject of autobiography Battle Hymn, published in 1956, which later served the basis for the 1957 film of the same name, where he was played by Rock Hudson. 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar (see: 1917 Julian calendar). ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Official language(s) None Capital Columbus Largest city Columbus Largest metro area Cleveland Area  Ranked 34th  - Total 44,825 sq mi (116,096 km²)  - Width 220 miles (355 km)  - Length 220 miles (355 km)  - % water 8. ... This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling. ... The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerial warfare branch of the United States armed forces and one of the seven uniformed services. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... Combatants United Nations:  Republic of Korea,  Australia,  Belgium,  Luxembourg,  Canada,  Colombia,  Ethiopia,  France,  Greece,  Luxembourg,  Netherlands,  New Zealand,  Philippines,  South Africa,  Thailand,  Turkey,  United Kingdom,  United States Medical staff:  Denmark,  Australia,  Italy,  Norway,  Sweden Communist states:  Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,  Peoples Republic of China,  Soviet Union Commanders... The Silver Star is the fourth highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States Armed Forces. ... The Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant (not to be confused with Denmarks Order of the Elephant) is the highest order (decoration) of Thailand. ... The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. ... The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States which was established by Executive Order 9158, signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt, on May 11, 1942. ... 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar (see: 1917 Julian calendar). ... For other types of minister, see Minister In Christian churches, a minister is a man or woman who serves a congregation or participates in a role in a parachurch ministry; such persons can minister as a Pastor, Preacher, Bishop, Chaplain, Deacon or Elder. ... The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerial warfare branch of the United States armed forces and one of the seven uniformed services. ... This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling. ... Combatants United Nations:  Republic of Korea,  Australia,  Belgium,  Luxembourg,  Canada,  Colombia,  Ethiopia,  France,  Greece,  Luxembourg,  Netherlands,  New Zealand,  Philippines,  South Africa,  Thailand,  Turkey,  United Kingdom,  United States Medical staff:  Denmark,  Australia,  Italy,  Norway,  Sweden Communist states:  Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,  Peoples Republic of China,  Soviet Union Commanders... December 20 is the 354th day of the year (355th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ... Battle Hymn was a 1956 film starring Rock Hudson, who starred as a United States Air Force Colonel who fed children during the Korean War. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

Biography

Hess attended Marietta College, Ohio, graduating in the class of 1941. Following this, he was ordained as a church minister in Cleveland, Ohio. Following the December 7, 1941 Attack on Pearl Harbor, Hess enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served as a combat pilot in France after the Normandy Landings, and flew a total of 63 combat missions in P-47s^[2]. Marietta College is a co-educational private college in Marietta, Ohio, which was the first permanent settlement of the Northwest Territory. ... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... This article needs additional references or sources to facilitate its verification. ... is the 341st day of the year (342nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... Combatants United States Empire of Japan Commanders Husband Kimmel Walter Short others Chuichi Nagumo Tamon Yamaguchi Chuichi Hara Mikawa Gunichi Sentaro Omori others Strength 8 battleships, 8 cruisers, 29 destroyers, 9 submarines, ~50 other ships, ~390 aircraft 6 aircraft carriers, 9 destroyers, 2 battleships, 2 heavy cruisers, 1 light cruiser... The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerial warfare branch of the United States armed forces and one of the seven uniformed services. ... The Battle of Normandy was fought in 1944 between the German forces occupying Western Europe and the invading Allies. ... The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, or Jug as it was known, was one of the main US Army Air Force (USAAF) fighters of World War II. The P-47 was a big, rugged, overbuilt aircraft that was effective in air combat but proved particularly useful as a fighter-bomber. ...

Despite returning to civilian life, Hess was recalled to active service in July 1948, and was stationed in Japan as part of the American occupation there. In June of 1950, he was transferred to Korea at the outbreak of the Korean War, as the commander of a cadre of USAF instructor pilots to train South Korean pilots in flying the F-51D Mustang. Hess served in Korea until June the following year, at which time had flown 250 combat missions^[3]. Also during his tour, he became involved in charity organisations for orphaned children in the war zone, and his airfield was reportedly full of such children^[4]. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1948 calendar). ... History of Japan Paleolithic Jomon Yayoi Yamato period ---Kofun period ---Asuka period Nara period Heian period Kamakura period Muromachi period Azuchi-Momoyama period ---Nanban period Edo period Meiji period Taisho period Showa period ---Japanese expansionism ---Occupied Japan ---Post-Occupation Japan Heisei Surrender Japan surrendered to the Allies on August 14... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Year 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Korea (Korean: 한국 in South Korea or ì¡°ì„  in North Korea, see below) is a geographic area, civilization, and former state situated on the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. ... Combatants United Nations:  Republic of Korea,  Australia,  Belgium,  Luxembourg,  Canada,  Colombia,  Ethiopia,  France,  Greece,  Luxembourg,  Netherlands,  New Zealand,  Philippines,  South Africa,  Thailand,  Turkey,  United Kingdom,  United States Medical staff:  Denmark,  Australia,  Italy,  Norway,  Sweden Communist states:  Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,  Peoples Republic of China,  Soviet Union Commanders... The North American P-51 Mustang was an American long-range single-seat fighter aircraft that entered service with Allied air forces in the middle years of World War II. The P-51 became one of the conflicts most successful and recognizable aircraft. ...

Kiddy Car Airlift

With the airfield over capacity, Hess sent the orphans to an orphanage in Seoul. When the North Korean forces began to capture the city, Hess reportedly organised 15 C-54 aircraft to airlift the orphans to safety on Cheju Island^[5]. At the time of Hess' departure from Korea, a new orphanage on this island held over 1000 Korean children^[6]. Seoul   is the capital of South Korea and is located on the Han River in the countrys northwest. ... Combatants United Nations:  Republic of Korea,  Australia,  Belgium,  Luxembourg,  Canada,  Colombia,  Ethiopia,  France,  Greece,  Luxembourg,  Netherlands,  New Zealand,  Philippines,  South Africa,  Thailand,  Turkey,  United Kingdom,  United States Medical staff:  Denmark,  Australia,  Italy,  Norway,  Sweden Communist states:  Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,  Peoples Republic of China,  Soviet Union Commanders... The C-54 Skymaster was a four engined transport aircraft used by the United States Army Air Force in World War II. Like its mate the C-47 Skytrain, the C-54 Skymaster was derived from the prototype of a civilian airliner (the DC-4). ... Jeju is the largest island and smallest province in South Korea, and the name of islands largest city and provincial capital (see Jeju City). ...

Later life

Hess published his autobiography in 1956, and used the royalties to fund a new orphanage in Seoul^[7]. He retired from the air force in 1969. For his actions in Korea, he was awarded the Republic of Korea Honor, and the of Korean Order of Cultural Merit^[8]. He has received numerous other awards, including the Order of the White Elephant, a Presidential Citation^[9], the Legion of Merit, Silver Star, Air Medal with 19 Clusters, and the Ohio Governor's Award^[10]. He was inducted into the Miami Valley Walk of Fame, and his actions are also the subject of an exhibit at the USAF Museum^[11] As of April, 2004, Hess still lived in Ohio. Year 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Stargate SG-1 episode, see 1969 (Stargate SG-1). ... The Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant (not to be confused with Denmarks Order of the Elephant) is the highest order (decoration) of Thailand. ... The Presidential Unit Citation is a senior unit award granted to military units which have performed an extremely meritorious or heroic act, usually in the face of an armed enemy. ... The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. ... The Silver Star is the fourth highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States Armed Forces. ... The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States which was established by Executive Order 9158, signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt, on May 11, 1942. ... This article or section needs additional references or sources to improve its verifiability. ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Official language(s) None Capital Columbus Largest city Columbus Largest metro area Cleveland Area  Ranked 34th  - Total 44,825 sq mi (116,096 km²)  - Width 220 miles (355 km)  - Length 220 miles (355 km)  - % water 8. ...

Criticism

Some historians criticise Hess' portrayal of the Kiddy Car Airlift, claiming that Hess took more credit than deserved for the evacuation of the Korean orphans. These historians give Air Force Chaplain Russell L. Blaisdell and Staff Sergeant Merle Y. Strang the credit for arranging the transport for the evacuation, with Hess's role being reduced to providing accommodation on the island of Cheju itself. According to this criticism, Colonel Blaisdell was reportedly originally credited with the evacuation by the media^[12] until Battle Hymn was published. The book cover of which states "Colonel Hess will perhaps be best remembered for his heroic efforts in Seoul, Korea, in 1951 on behalf of thousands of defenceless Korean orphans about to be engulfed by the Chinese Communist armies"^[13].

Blaisdell, however, did receive later recognition in 2000 when he returned to Korea, where he was referred to as the "Schindler of Korea."^[14], credit which Hess appeared to have agreed with, having in that same year acknowledged Blaisdell's contribution^[15]. Strang, however, received no recognition, and died in 1998. 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Korea (Korean: 한국 in South Korea or 조선 in North Korea, see below) is a geographic area, civilization, and former state situated on the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ...

See also

• Korean War
• Oscar Schindler
• IMDB Battle Hymn 1957 film

Combatants United Nations:  Republic of Korea,  Australia,  Belgium,  Luxembourg,  Canada,  Colombia,  Ethiopia,  France,  Greece,  Luxembourg,  Netherlands,  New Zealand,  Philippines,  South Africa,  Thailand,  Turkey,  United Kingdom,  United States Medical staff:  Denmark,  Australia,  Italy,  Norway,  Sweden Communist states:  Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,  Peoples Republic of China,  Soviet Union Commanders...

References

1. ^ http://www.wright-dunbar.org/articles/walkoffameinduction.html
2. ^ http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=1913
3. ^ http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=1913
4. ^ http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=1913
5. ^ http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=1913
6. ^ http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=1913
7. ^ http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=1913
8. ^ Hess: Fraudlent Hero George F. Drake
9. ^ Note: The source does not state whether it was a US Citation or a Korean one
10. ^ http://www.marietta.edu/alumni/honor/1999/hessd.html
11. ^ http://www.wright-dunbar.org/articles/walkoffameinduction.html
12. ^ Hess: Fraudlent Hero George F. Drake
13. ^ Hess: Fraudlent Hero George F. Drake
14. ^ http://www.nas.com/creche/docs/Blaisdell.htm
15. ^ http://www.nas.com/creche/docs/RLB-164-Q.htm

• http://www.nas.com/creche/docs/kiddycarairlift.html
• Hess: Fraudlent Hero George F. Drake
• http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=1913
• http://www.marietta.edu/alumni/honor/1999/hessd.html
• http://www.wright-dunbar.org/articles/walkoffameinduction.html