FAR EAST AIR FORCES
APO 925
(13 January 1954)

FIFTH AIR FORCE, KOREA--- Ninety-six Korean waifs found living in a cave on a Korean hillside last spring by members of the U.S. Air Force 3rd Bombardment Wing, of which T/Sgt. Creed A. Harris, 1915 Pogue Ave., Cincinnati, is a member, recently moved into the new six-unit Ok-Bong Orphanage near Kunsan which was completed through the efforts of the wing members.

The new orphanage will be dedicated early in February. Sergeant Harris, who spends much of his off-duty time visiting the institution and the children there, is expected to be present for the dedication.

The personnel of the 3rd Bomb Wing contributed nearly $18,000 through the base chapel, with the money being used to purchase two buildings and begin construction of the orphanage.

Five units of the new orphanage were constructed from the contributions of the men of the 3rd, while the sixth unit was constructed by the members of the 808th Engineer Aviation Battalion, which his attached to the 3rd Bomb Wing in Korea.

In addition to the monetary contributions, officers and airmen of the Wing distributed some 21,000 pounds of clothing to the orphans. The clothing was received from the wives, parents, relatives and friends of the men of the unit.

Aid for the destitute orphans was received from many cities in the United States, with a great portion coming from the Chicago area in response to a plea from S/Sgt. Robert L. Zienger of Sherman, Texas, which was printed in a Chicago newspaper.

The orphans, made homeless by the war, banded together under the leadership of an 18-year-old Korean boy, and lived in a cave during the bitter cold winter of 1952.

Shortly before they were found, hungry and practically naked, by Major (Chaplain) Luther D. Fletcher of Greenville, S.C., their 18-year-old leader was drafted into the Republic of Korea Army.

END.

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