Dean Hess facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dean Hess
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Lieutenant Colonel Hess in Korea
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| Birth name | Dean Elmer Hess |
| Born | December 6, 1917 Marietta, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | March 2, 2015 (aged 97) Huber Heights, Ohio, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
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United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1941–1969 |
| Rank | Lieutenant colonel |
| Battles/wars | World War II Korean War |
| Awards | Silver Star, Order of the White Elephant, Legion of Merit, Air Medal |
Dean Elmer Hess (born December 6, 1917 – died March 2, 2015) was an American minister and a U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel. He is famous for helping to rescue 950 orphans and 80 orphanage workers during the Korean War. This amazing rescue, called the "Kiddy Car Airlift," happened on December 20, 1950, as Chinese forces advanced. Hess wrote a book about his experiences called Battle Hymn in 1956. This book later became a movie in 1957, where actor Rock Hudson played him.
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About Dean Hess
Dean Hess was born in 1917. He went to Marietta College in Ohio and graduated in 1941. After college, he became a pastor in the Disciples of Christ Church in Cleveland, Ohio.
Joining the Air Force
After the Attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Hess joined the U.S. Army Air Forces. He became a combat pilot, flying planes in battles. He served in France after the Normandy landings. He flew 63 combat missions in P-47 planes during World War II.
After the war, Hess returned to his civilian life. However, he was called back to active service in July 1948. He was stationed in Japan as part of the American forces there.
Service in Korea
In June 1950, the Korean War began. Hess was sent to Korea. He commanded a program called "Bout One Project." In this program, U.S. Air Force instructors trained South Korean pilots. They learned to fly P-51D Mustang planes.
Hess served in Korea until June of the next year. During this time, he flew 250 combat missions. He also became very involved with charities for orphaned children. His airfield often had many children seeking help.
Hess was married to Mary C. Lorentz from 1941 until her death in 1996. They had four children: Marilyn, Lawrence, Edward Alan, and Ronald.
The Kiddy Car Airlift
The airfield where Hess worked became too crowded with orphans. So, Hess sent the children to an orphanage in Seoul. When North Korean forces began to capture Seoul, the children were in danger.
Hess quickly organized 15 C-54 Skymaster aircraft. These planes airlifted the orphans to safety. They flew the children to Jeju Island. By the time Hess left Korea, a new orphanage on Jeju Island housed over 1,000 Korean children. This amazing rescue became known as the "Kiddy Car Airlift."
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Korean orphans at Jejudo
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LTC Blaisdell and COL Hess visit orphans on Jejudo
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The Seoul orphanage in 1961, built with money from Dean Hess's book and movie
Later Life and Recognition
Dean Hess published his autobiography, Battle Hymn, in 1956. He used all the money he earned from the book to build a new orphanage in Seoul. He retired from the Air Force in 1969.
For his brave actions in Korea, he received many awards. These included the Republic of Korea Honor and the Korean Order of Cultural Merit. He also received the Order of the White Elephant, a Presidential Citation, the Legion of Merit, the Silver Star, and the Air Medal with 19 Clusters. He was also given the Ohio Governor's Award.
Dean Hess was honored in the Miami Valley Walk of Fame. His actions are also featured in an exhibit at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. He passed away in 2015 at the age of 97.
Who Else Helped?
In 2004, a historian named Dr. George F. Drake shared more information about the Kiddy Car Airlift. He pointed out that other people also played very important roles. Air Force Chaplain LTC Russell L. Blaisdell and Staff Sergeant Merle Y. Strang were key in arranging the planes for the evacuation. Hess's role was mainly to help provide a place for the children on Jeju Island.
Dr. Drake noted that Chaplain Blaisdell was first recognized by the media for the evacuation. This was before Hess's book Battle Hymn was published. However, it is important that the money from Hess's book and movie was donated to help Korean orphans.
Chaplain Blaisdell received special recognition in 2000. When he returned to Korea, people called him the "Schindler of Korea." Dean Hess himself agreed with this recognition that same year. Sadly, Staff Sergeant Strang died in 1998 before he could receive similar public recognition for his part.
See also
- Korean War
- Oskar Schindler
- IMDB Battle Hymn 1957 film
- Obituary for Milton Bellovin, participant in the "Kiddy Car Airlift."
