Pacific Stars & Stripes, June 30, 1957

Orphans attend Opening 'Battle Hymn' Has Seoul Premiere

Seoul (INS)- Korean waifs and ROK Air Force bands teamed up to provide fanfare marking the premiere of "Battle Hymn" describing Col. Dean Hess's heroic actions in saving trapped Korean orphans from the Chinese Communists in the winter of 1950-1951.

The 40-piece band from the Orphans Home of Korea, which houses most of the children Col. Hess airlifted to safety, and the 60-piece Korean airmen's band played at the Kookdo Theater in Seoul for the special premiere charity showing Wednesday.

The public showing which began Thursday was marked with formation flights of U.S. Fifth Air Force jet planes over the theater.

Col. Hess, after rescuing the waifs, organized Hope Inc. to help the orphans to establish themselves. When the ROK government returned to Seoul, most of the waifs were brought back to the capital.

All proceeds accruing from the book Col. Hess wrote on his experiences went to Hope Inc. to aid the orphans and the profits from the movie will also be sent to the organization.

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