Pacific Stars and Stripes, March 9, 1956
HOLLYWOOD (UP)- Twenty-five
Korean War orphans, ranging in age from 2 to 8 years, arrived here
by air Thursday to portray themselves in the forthcoming movie "Battle
Hymn."
The 11 boys and 14 girls were met by a local delegation
from the Los Angeles Korean Colony wearing native dress.
Air Force Col. Dean Hess, who flew the special
United Air Lines plane here from Seattle, presented the children with
cowboy outfits, including toy guns, when they landed.
THE ORPHANS were sent from Seoul by Korea President
Syngman Rhee to appear in Universal International Studio's film version
of Hess' life story. Actor Rock Hudson will portray the famous "Flying
Parson" of World War II in the film.
Hess, now special assistant to Lt. Gen. Emmett
O'Donnell, Air Force Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel, saved
the lives of 800 orphans during the Korean hostilities by organizing
an air lift for them to Cheju Island.
Some of these children were among the 25 met by
Hess in a Seattle reunion.
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