All language subtitles for Battle Hymn (1956) EN

During the war in Korea,
I was in command of the Fifth Air Force

operating under
the United Nations command.

This plane was just one of the
many involved in our operations.

Its pilot I shall never forget.

I am pleased to have been asked
to introduce this motion picture,

which is based on the actual
experiences of this pilot,

Colonel Dean Hess of
the United States Air Force.

The remarkable story
of Colonel Hess,

his poignant
and often secret struggle

with a problem
peculiarly his own,

his courage, resourcefulness
and sacrifice,

have long been a source
of inspiration to me

and to fighting men
who have known him.

But the story of Colonel Hess

is more than a dramatic demonstration
of one man's capacity for good.

It is an affirmation of the essential
goodness of the human spirit.

For this reason,
I am happy it is told.

It begins in the summer of 1950,

five years after
the end of World War II

and one month after
the invasion of South Korea.

It is a quiet,
sunny Sunday morning

in the pleasant little town
of Westhampton, Ohio.

And so we ask ourselves:

How can we be free of guilt?

Through patience and humility...

will we find happiness.

A broken and contrite heart,

Thou will not despise.

Amen.

Nice sermon, Dean,
though if you'll forgive my saying so,

you might dwell less on guilt and more
on the hope that heaven holds for us.

- Mary.
- Can you stay for dinner, Deacon?

I'd like to, but I have
to get back out to the farm.

- See you next Sunday, children.
- Goodbye.

Goodbye, Deacon.

He's right, Mary.

I didn't have 'em with me today.

- Dean...
- No matter how hard I try,

all I seem to be able to do
is repeat words from a book!

Words!
Words aren't enough, Mary.

Dean, why are you punishing
yourself with these doubts?

- It's not fair.
- I'm trying to face the truth.

I'm just not cut out
to be a minister.

I've tried it now
for almost two years...

trying to make amends.

You can't forget those children
in the German orphanage, can you?

Never.

When I became a minister,

I hoped I could find a way
to live with it.

But I haven't.

Blue Leader to Blue Flight.

We're cleared on target.
Arm your bombs.

Okay, Killer, let's go.

Dean, your bomb's stuck!
Shake her loose!

This is Radio Berlin.

Today the Americans made
another infamous raid

on an undefended,
quiet, little town:

The peaceful hamlet
of Kaiserberg.

These noble Americans
totally destroyed

an orphanage and church,

murdering 37 children!

A crime so despicable that even
hell won't have its perpetrator!

His hands
will be stained forever

with innocent blood
of those harmless infants!

Hello.
Do you speak English?

A little.

Was this
St. Peter's Orphanage?

Ja, it was, before the big raid,

before your planes came.

The radio said some children
were killed in the raid.

But the radio very often lies.

It was 37 children.

And no lie!

- Good morning, darling.
- Good morning.

Oh, what a wonderful day!

You working
on your sermon already?

It's only Monday.

That's what I call indus...

This is to the Air Force, Mary.

They're making some recalls,
and I've decided to apply.

They need experienced people
for Korea.

But you're needed here!

No, I'm no good here.
I've known it for a long time.

If you do go back, shouldn't
it be as a chaplain?

It's bad enough to be
of so little use to people here.

What help could I be
to wounded or dying men?

Oh, Dean!

How could you kill now?

Don't worry.

It's only for a training
program, not combat.

But it doesn't make sense.
It doesn't! Going back to war.

Why, that's where
your problem began!

Don't look for sense in this.
You won't find it.

One doesn't always have to have a
clear reason for the things he does.

It's just how I feel,
that's all.

Mary...

this is what I have to do.

Oh, Dean.

Dean, Mary just told me.

Is it true?
You're going to announce...

Word came for me last night
to be in Washington next week.

You'll have to take over here.

- Do you realize what you're doing?
- Yes.

You spoke to me once about the
reason why a man becomes a minister.

- Oh, I did?
- I must tell you mine

is not a good enough one,
and it never has been.

- Son, I...
- Look, Deacon...

You knew my grandmother.

You heard her tell that our
family came from Germany,

- from a little village near a town named
Kaiserberg. - Yes, of course, but...

It was one of her greatest
hopes to go back to that

little church in Kaiserberg,

- where her grandmother was
baptized and married. - Well?

She never was able to.

But I was.

I saw it from the air.

A bombing raid I was on.

There was an orphanage
next to that church,

full of children who only knew that
war had come to frighten them;

a nightmare
that might kill them.

I made their fears come true with one
flick of this thumb on a bomb release.

I'm sorry, son. I...

I never knew, never.

But I do think
you're acting rashly.

We'll have to talk this over
at a more convenient time.

It's useless, Deacon.

Would you please make the announcement
and take over the service?

Well...
all right, Dean.

If you wish it.

Thank you, Sergeant.

- I'm Colonel Hess.
- Good morning, Colonel.

Ben Harrison, General's Aide.
Have a good trip?

A fast one, thank you.
General in?

- That you, Dean?
- Yes, sir!

Come in. Let me
have a look at you.

Well, it's been a long time.

Sit down.

- Thank you, sir.
- How are you, Dean?

Fine, sir. I was glad to hear
I'm to work with you again.

And I'm pleased
to have you, Dean.

These Koreans will listen
to a man with the same

kind of nerve they have.
That's why I called on "Killer" Hess.

You're to check out
some ROK pilots in the 51s,

train them in our tactics.
They're new to both, Dean.

Besides, they're a hot bunch.
They're overanxious.

They've already cracked up
a couple of the planes we gave them,

and they won't get more.

We've none to spare
outside combat.

I see. What sort of a T.O.
will I have, sir?

A half dozen officers,
a complement of enlisted men.

You'll be the only friendly
air power based in Korea;

everything else
has to fly from Japan.

The ground forces may
call on you for support,

but you simply
can't oblige them.

Your sole purpose is to get
the ROK Air Force started,

so don't risk those planes
in any combat sorties.

Your group is waiting
for you at your headquarters:

An airfield,
or what's left of it,

built years ago by the Japanese.

Right here,
a few miles from Yongsan.

Good luck, Colonel.

Thank you, sir.

- Thank you, Sergeant.
- You're welcome, sir.

I'm Colonel Hess.

Herman, sir.
Your first sergeant.

You're holding the fort
by yourself?

Well, Major Moore, the exec,
is at breakfast, sir.

And, um, the duty officer,
Captain Skidmore...

- Skidmore? What Skidmore?
- The same one.

He says you and him fought
quite a war the last time out.

This is your office, sir.

And your quarters.

- So Skidmore is still in.
- Back in. He said

it was too cold outside.

- I mean...
- Even we retreads have our use, Sergeant.

Call a meeting
of all the officers.

Get me the files
on the officers and men,

- and bring me the morning report.
- Yes, sir.

Ten-hut!

I won't say "at ease"

because it looks like
that's what you've been at

ever since you got here.

Our mission
is to give instruction

to a detail of Korean pilots
in our aircraft and tactics.

But before they
and the planes get here,

I want this place cleaned up.

This whole area
looks like a pigsty.

A helicopter couldn't even land
on that runway! Any questions?

Major Moore, sir. We haven't
anything to work the runway,

except a few hand tools
from the vehicles.

What about that town
I came through?

- That's Yongsan, sir.
- Couldn't we find something there?

Dean! Hiya, boy!

- Hello, Skidmore. Where have you been?
- Over at Yongsan.

Checkin' the action.
Boy, it sure ain't Paris.

Aren't you duty officer today?

Well, you weren't
due in till tomorrow,

- and there's nothing much doing
around here, so... - Major Moore!

Until further orders,
Yongsan is out of bounds.

From now on, there's
plenty to do around here.

Any other questions?

Come on, Sergeant.

So that's the buddy-buddy
you've been tellin' us about.

Hey, uncle, where
do we find the mayor?

The mayor?
Kingpin?

Big Chief Head Wheel?
Hmm?

- Boss man?
- "Boss man"?

Sounds like you rang the bell.

Boss man?

See?

He's not here.
He must be out to lunch.

Now, listen, I, um...

um, need help.

Bulldozer.

Push dirt.
You know, push dirt?

Big landing strip, for planes!

Pardon me.

Well, hello!

- Can I be of any help?
- It seems we need it,

- Miss...
- En Soon Yang.

I'm Colonel Hess.

Sergeant Herman and I
are trying to locate

some tools for the airfield.

We have to get our
runway in shape before

- our planes can land.
- Oh.

He says there is nothing left.
What the enemy did not take,

they destroyed.

Oh.

Well, where's the next town?

Seosan.
But I came through last week.

It's burned out and destroyed
like the other towns around.

I see.

Well, thank you, Miss Yang.
Come on, Herman.

Guess I should have gone through channels in
the first place and put in for some engineers.

Yeah, and they might get to us
by the end of the war.

Colonel!

It seems this girl remembers
seeing some sort of equipment.

I think you called it a, um...

- A bulldozer?
- No. Uh...

- Not a road scraper?
- Yes, thank you.

In a ditch
on the road from Seosan.

- Will you show us?
- I must wait for the mayor,

but she will take you.

- Fine!
- She knows exactly where it is.

Good! Thank you again.

Ours is the thanks,
that you are with us.

Put your backs to it,
you slaves!

I left Indiana to get away
from one of these.

Hey, Colonel!

Our ROK pilots!

- I'm Colonel Hess.
- First Squadron, First Group,

Air Force of the Republic
of Korea reporting.

- I'm Major Chong.
- I'm glad to know you.

General Kim has placed me
in charge of our group

because I have a little
of your language.

Wonderful. Please tell your officers
we are honored to have them.

Sergeant Herman here will
show you to your quarters.

- Yes, sir.
- Thank you, sir.

How soon do you think
we'll be operational?

Well, we can use
some extra hands.

- As soon as we've changed.
- Very fine.

- Oh, by the way, did you bring a flag?
- Yes, sir.

Good.
We'll fly it with ours.

Are you sure these guys
don't know what we're saying?

Without an interpreter,
they're dead.

They're dying rich.
We haven't won a game in an hour.

Not another blitz.

"Got a couple
of Korean pigeons," you say.

"Don't speak English. We'll teach
'em Rummy and clean 'em out."

Aw, it's just beginner's luck.

Excuse, please.
No beginner.

English bad.
Rummy good.

Old Korean game.

Skidmore, I ought
to hit you on the head...

till you can hold up
your socks with your teeth!

It's the planes!
They're calling control tower

- for permission to land!
- Granted! Tell 'em the strip is clear!

Granted! Tell 'em
the strip is clear!

- Only 10?
- That's all.

And no more where they came from.
Remember that.

Treat 'em like
your best girl, huh?

The planes are here now,
and the job really begins.

I just hope I'll be
able to make it work.

- Oh, hello, Deacon!
- Good morning, Mary.

- Here are your eggs.
- Thanks. Won't you come in?

I'd like to but Mrs. Massing
is waiting for her eggs too.

- I see.
- From Dean?

Uh-huh. He's well and seems
to be getting along fine.

- And you?
- I?

Yes, I saw you coming out
of Dr. Corrigan's office.

Try to keep a secret
in this town.

I'm... I'm going
to have a baby, Deacon.

A ba...
Oh, that's wonderful!

Dean will be tickled pink.
Have you written him yet?

No, I'm not going
to tell him for a while.

- Why not?
- We've been disappointed before.

Oh, but, Mary,
he should be told.

He has enough
to worry about as it is.

Worry? Such news
would only delight him.

I don't want to add
to his problems.

I suppose you know best.
I better be running along.

Now you take care of yourself.

- Bye.
- Goodbye.

See you next week, Deacon.

They're looking
better every day.

They're the eagerest
beavers I ever saw.

They don't want to stay down
long enough to eat.

I'd like to have those flight
reports as quickly as possible.

- Take care of it right away.
- As soon as my head lands.

Maples!

- Yes, sir?
- The tower tells me you made

contact with enemy aircraft.

Only by sight, sir.

- We had to tuck our tails and run.
- Yeah.

Uh, you know, Colonel,
it feels sort of naked up there

without any
experienced wing men.

Their ground patrols are being
reported closer every day.

From now on
you'll have hot guns.

- Only for protection.
- Roger!

Hold it, hold it!
Don't tell me!

Something besides
C-rations?

Turkey for Thanksgiving, sir.

Well, don't let
our Korean friends see 'em!

- They'll try to fly 'em!
- Allow us!

You know, back home Pa always
said grace at Thanksgiving.

Not that we were
extra religious,

it's just that Thanksgiving
is special to farm folk.

You know, if we had a good year, the
table would be piled so high with food

that you could hear
the joints creak.

Look, fellas, I'm not very good
at this sort of thing.

Somebody here
feel more qualified?

It seems as though I'm stuck.

Dear Lord...

first off, we want to thank
You for all of us being well.

Then I want to say that

You sure did put Yourself out
setting this table,

all this food and drink
in abundance.

It seems a person
never could be hungry.

And if we ever get
to complaining about anything,

You just put a stop to it quick.

- Amen.
- Amen.

Now while Cookie's carving that
turkey, how about another song?

- Thompson, "Wait for the Wagon"!
- No, no!

"Jeanie with the
Light Brown Hair"!

Anything stirring?

- Everything quiet, sir.
- Good.

Say, why don't you go
back in with the others

and grab yourself
something to eat?

I'll take over for a while.

You better hurry.
The turkey will be all gone.

Well, thank you, sir.

- And happy Thanksgiving.
- Thank you.

Did you ever see bones
picked so clean?

It's a tribute
to your cooking, Sergeant.

These guys would eat
nuts and bolts

if you put some sauce on 'em!

Hey, you kids! Get away there now!
Scat! Scat!

Go on! Go on, get outta
here and stay outta here!

Looks like a pretty big stick
for such small boys, Sergeant.

Yes, sir, but these kids
are driving us nuts!

They're coming down
from the north in droves.

They sneak on the post and steal
everything they can get their hands on.

They don't look like very
successful thieves to me.

Chong, who's that woman?

She says she's trying
to look after these children,

orphans she has befriended.

What's his name?

Chu.

His name is Chu.

Chu.

Hungry?

Looks like he could use
a little chow to me.

Chong, take these kids
to the kitchen and feed them.

Yes, sir.

What's he trying to do?
Prove he's got a heart of gold?

No, he's always liked kids,
but this is idiotic.

Those little sneak-thieves will be
swarming out of every hole in Korea.

Better nail down the furniture.

Hello, Chong. Hello, Chong.
This is Flight Leader. Over.

Go ahead, Flight Leader.

By any chance,
do you know where we are?

Proceeding on Mount Keijo.

We'll take a heading of 84
degrees true from there. Over.

Very good.
Maples, how's your boy doing?

Right on course.

See that he holds it.

This is Mosquito One,
Mosquito One.

Calling aircraft circling
10 miles east of Munsan. Over.

This is Macintosh Leader.
Go ahead, Mosquito One. Over.

Got a target for you.
Troop convoy at Abel-Baker-7253.

Four miles east. Will you
make a strike? Over.

Come in, Macintosh
Flight Leader. Over.

Wilco, Mosquito One.
Proceeding to target.

Macintosh Flight,
prepare for attack!

- Read you, Flight Leader! - Skidmore,
you know we can't risk these planes!

Maintain radio silence.
Follow me. Out.

Okay, pour it on.

Maples! Off your left wing,
get that stray. Get it!

What's the matter, Maples?

Those kids!

Oh, those poor little kids!

Maples...

All right, all right, so I
didn't follow the rule book.

But look what we handed 'em!
All those troops!

Enemy troops! Scratched!

And strafing those refugees
Can you scratch that too?

It was an accident.

Wars are full of accidents.
You know that yourself.

You know how everything
looks alike from the air.

Remember Germany.
How many times...

That's enough!

Look, Dean, I don't know what
kind of a monkey you've got

on your back, but don't
try to put him on mine.

This is serious business.

You don't have to tell me
how serious it is.

I'm not so sure about that.

Once I thought you knew what war
was about, but not anymore.

Just keep this
one thing in mind:

All that counts is who wins,
not how nice a guy you are.

You win or you die.

You go soft, and you're
one step from being dead.

Are you through?

You're grounded
until further orders.

Any questions?

Yeah, one.

Whatever became
of "Killer" Hess?

Maples.

Yes, sir?

I just wanted
to tell you that...

Well, try and forget it
as soon as you can.

Thank you, sir.

I am sorry I lost
control out there.

I'm all right now.
I am better now.

I had a similar experience once.

It's something I've never
been able to completely shake.

So I'm not exactly the one
to give advice, but I thought...

Sir, it's the way
of things, I guess.

I figure it's all
God's making and will.

Doesn't the Book say that

no sparrow
shall fall to the earth

unless He first gives His nod?

Well, He must have given his nod to
what happened out there today too.

He must have.

Well, He's the Almighty,
isn't He?

No, we have to trust Him, sir.

How can we live without that?

Go on, Maples.

You see, Colonel,
I've come to the conclusion

that God and all His reasons are
invisible to the eyes of man.

So, I guess
we have to be satisfied

if He even gives us light
enough to take our next step,

do our next chore.

Thank you, Maples.

Thank you.

- Is the Colonel here?
- Uh-huh.

- Cookie!
- Yeah?

The men and I have decided to have roast
Long Island duck tonight with wild rice.

You're gonna be lucky
if you get warmed-over gruel!

Those kids!
Take a look at 'em!

- Colonel?
- Yes?

- The mess sergeant here's got a problem.
- Yes, Sergeant?

Sir, them chow hounds are multiplying like
rabbits! What am I gonna do with them?

Feed them.

Chong, what happened?

Enemy agent, Colonel.
I had to shoot her.

She was just about ready to throw
that into the ammunition dump.

Chong had suspected her ever since the day
you let her on the post with those kids.

Oh, Chu.

Don't cry.

Don't cry, little baby.

That's the full story
on the woman, Colonel.

North Korean guerilla.
Sabotage.

She picked up those poor, starving
kids to make her look good.

I've drawn an order making the base
out of bounds to all civilians.

Including the little civilians?

Think there might be
guerillas among them too?

It's not that. But the way they're crowding
in here now, they're becoming a nuisance.

They're making the pilots nervous, afraid
of hitting 'em on takeoffs and landings.

All around,
they could be dangerous.

Yeah, dangerous for what
they might become someday,

if they live long enough.

But you're right.
It's no place for them.

Don't post that until tomorrow.

- Yes, sir.
- Come on, Herman. We're going to Seoul.

Want a lift?

They mistrust anyone in uniform.

They saw their family shot with
the rest of their village.

They'll have to be taught there's
many different kinds of uniforms.

Hop in. I'm Colonel Hess.
This is Sergeant Herman.

- Hi.
- My name is Lu Wan.

The children and I thank you,
as do our poor, tired feet.

- Where do you come from?
- I come from Pusan.

There I have a shop where I carve
ivory statues of a religious nature.

It is not a big shop,
understand. Very small.

Well, to be exact,
it is not even a small shop;

a stall in an alley.

But I make the best statues
in the whole city,

and I am by conscience
a modest man.

Where are you heading?

To a Buddhist temple not far from
here where we hope to find shelter.

I am a Christian,
you understand,

but a house of God
is for anyone.

If you'll drop us
at the next crossroad.

No, we'll take you there.

Is this it?

Yes, but the enemy
has been there too.

There are kids in here!

Why, Miss Yang.

Good evening, Colonel.

I understand you found
the equipment on the road.

Yes, we did.
Thank you.

I can't tell you
how much it helped.

What are you doing here?

Well, come in and see.

Peaceful here.

Oh, are they yours?

No, I found them on the road.

They have lost their parents.

And you're taking care
of them alone?

Yes, we are about to leave.

There is nothing here
I hoped to find,

and I could get
no help in Yongsan.

Well, where will you go?

Just south,
and hope for the best.

Yeah.

Oh, he will ride in the cart.

Those roads are hardly passable.
He can't...

Then I will carry him
until he is well again.

He won't get well traveling.

But here he can only die.

Miss Yang...
I'd like your help.

Yes.

There are over a hundred
children like this at the field.

- A hundred children?
- Yes.

I have to get them away,

and I just can't
turn them loose.

I'd like to bring them here.

Here?
So you could take care of them.

Oh, but we have no food,
no fuel, no medicine.

There's no roof.

We'll fix the roof.
We'll furnish the supplies.

I don't know what I can get
exactly, but it'll be a lot better

than you'll find along the road.

- But a hundred children...
- We'll help with them too.

How about it? Will you stay?

- Oh, I don't think so.
- Will you?

- How could I refuse?
- Good. I'll get on it right away.

Lu Wan, this is Miss Yang. She'll
stay and take care of the children.

How about you?
Will you stay and help out?

I am sorry. I must get to Pusan.
My statues.

Now there is more need
for them than ever.

There's a bigger need here.

You're a Christian, you said.
Remember Matthew?

"Whoso shall receive one
such little child in My name,

receiveth Me."

I will stay, for a while.

Thank you. Herman, you'll
give them a hand, won't you?

- Yes, sir.
- Good. I'll have you picked up later.

Come on, kids.

- Colonel.
- Yes, Lu Wan.

First impressions
are nets to catch the wind,

but I have a persistent one
about you,

that you might be a man of God.

Just another pilot.

That's all.

- Say, Colonel.
- Yeah?

I'm free for a while.
I'd like to go along.

- Maybe I can help them get
settled down. - All right.

Oh, tell Miss Yang
that I'll be over there

- as soon as I can.
- Right.

It'll be a relief
to have them outta here.

I almost hit a bunch of 'em
yesterday on a takeoff.

Scared me silly.

- Any more than usual?
- Okay, let's take off!

Cheer up.
There goes your problem.

Well, at least they ate
what I gave 'em without kickin'.

Herman.

Say, uh, take the jeep
and go into town

and see if you can find
something for the kids, huh?

Maybe some candy or something.

Candy?
Oh, I don't know, Colonel.

This ain't much of a country
for candy stores.

Maybe the Good Lord
will provide.

Well, I don't know much
about the Lord,

but I got a hunch he ain't runnin'
no candy stores in Yongsan.

Well, then try Seoul.

Okay, there's your
eight boxes of candy.

You better give me a couple
of cartons of that gum too.

Give me a couple
of cartons of that gum.

Now what admiral
did you say that was for?

Herman.
Admiral Herman.

Admiral Herman.
Herman?

- Want a lift, soldier?
- No, thanks, Mac. I just had one.

You know, Lieutenant,
if the Navy ever got a gander

at what we're
doing with this tarpaulin...

They'd be happy
to let you have it, Sergeant.

Yeah, in the neck!

Twenty years!

If we keep this up, we're gonna have
the mortgage paid off on this place.

Second or third?

Oh, Sergeant,
this is beyond belief.

- But what is this?
- Chewing gum.

- Want a pack, Lu?
- Thank you, no.

It's the best we could do on
short notice, but don't worry.

When the colonel and me
get on the ball, it rolls!

But where did you get
such wonderful things from?

Uh, the less said,
the better, Miss Yang.

Your army has been
very generous.

Oh, no, no, no, no, no!
You ain't supposed to swallow it!

- Just chew it.
- Chu! Me Chu!

Yeah, I know, I know,
but that ain't the point.

Now, here. You watch me.
Put this in your mouth.

Now just chew. See?

Don't swallow it. It'll last forever.
Just chew it.

Now you got it!

Food, soap, even beds.

You have no idea what luxury
you have provided for us.

Well, let's keep that
kind of quiet.

If the quartermasters ever find
out that an army cot's a luxury,

I hate to think what they'll have us
sleepin' on!

Oh, no!

He swallowed it again.

Chu!

- Chu! Hi there, old-timer!
- Major.

Hey, this is
a cheerful place, Dean.

Thank goodness, you came!
He's done nothing but ask for you.

Looks like we're
in business, Miss Yang.

This is Major Moore.
I told Herman the Lord would provide.

But you didn't say He might
work through the U.S. Navy.

It's not bad for a start.

Now, with a little more money... even
five dollars... we could do better.

Pardon me.

- Yang.
- Thank you, Lieutenant,

Major.

Now I must bathe Chu.

He always manages
to be the last in the tub.

Come, Chu.
Come, Chu.

Wait a minute.

Okay, sport. We'll
see it through together.

- Nice job, isn't it, Major?
- Many of the children are Christians,

so I thought they should
have their symbol too.

With my own tools it would have
been better, I assure you.

Understand,
it is not a poor job.

Someday I will carve you
one of ivory.

- It will be beautiful. - Someday
we'll hold you to that, Lu Wan.

The address of my shop in Pusan.

Thank you.

I wish the war would stop
just long enough

to let these children
get to a safe place.

Cheju.

It's where my home is.

Cheju?
Where is that?

Oh, well, it may as well
be on the moon.

It's an island
60 miles off the coast.

- Have you always lived there?
- Since I was a child.

My father was Korean,
and my mother from India.

They met in Delhi,
and I was born there,

but Cheju has been my home
for almost all of my life.

No bombings there, are there?

None. There would be
food and help.

The school I taught in
is empty now.

That would make a fine shelter
for the children.

Yeah. Sounds like a perfect haven,
doesn't it?

But 60 miles...

- What did he say?
- Oh, he asked if you were his father.

- Now what did he say?
- That I was his...

It's time for supper, Colonel.
Would you care to join us?

Yes!
I'd love to.

Ah, ah, ah!
Thompson.

- Come on.
- Major.

- How 'bout mine?
- Nothin' yet.

It can't be all my gals
have forgotten me.

Some wise guy.
"Reverend Dean Hess."

Look, never mind the jokes.
Just hurry up...

Hey, wait a minute.
Let me see that.

"Reverend Dean Hess."
Well, I'll be a...

We've managed to pick up
a few old trucks and tanks.

Starting tomorrow, you'll be able to
give your students target practice.

That should come
in real handy, Colonel.

Mail's in, Reverend.

For you.

Seems somebody's
trying to rib you.

It's from the deacon
of my congregation back home.

You mean you were a preacher?

And at Thanksgiving
you just let me fumble around?

You did just fine, Frank.

People who volunteer usually do.

I don't get it, Dean.

I thought I knew you
pretty well.

You know, we were in a lot
of rough stuff together.

You weren't exactly the
preacher type over in Germany.

- That was a long time ago.
- Not so long!

What happened to you?

Too many free pamphlets
on the street corner?

"Heaven's your destination.
Repent and be saved."

Don't tell me you got
caught up in that stuff.

I don't see
how this concerns you.

Well, it does! Why didn't you
tell us you were a preacher?

Oh, brother!
A parson for a C.O.

Well, let me tell you,
the men won't like it.

- They'll like whoever gets the job done!
- Yeah.

What are you gonna do if
you have to gun down a Yak?

This is a training unit.

Today it's
a training unit, sure.

- But that doesn't mean it will be
tomorrow! - That's all, Captain Skidmore.

You're excused.

Well?
What'd he say?

It's true, all right.

Ain't that the livin' end?

Somebody buy me a drink, quick.

"And while Mary wants to keep
it from you at present,

I believe you should know that
she is going to have a baby.

The doctor says that you are
not to worry and she's fine."

I'm going to headquarters
to make a phone call.

I'm gonna get some cigars!
I'm gonna have a baby!

At headquarters?

Yes?
Oh, Colonel Hess.

- Hello, Major. Is the General in?
- He's in Tokyo.

Anything I can do for you?

Yes, I'd like to use your phone
to call Westhampton, Ohio.

- I'm gonna have a baby!
- You're what?

- My wife is.
- Oh, congratulations.

Thank you. There must be some
way to get through to her.

Well, it's not going to be
quite as easy as all that,

- but we'll see what we can do.
- Good.

Hello? Hello?

Dean?

Dean, I was petrified when the
operator said, "Korea calling."

- Anything the matter?
- No, no, everything's fine.

I just heard from
Deacon Edwards about you.

Oh, darling, I'm walking on air.

I say, "I'm walking on air."
Are you all right?

Nothing to worry about,
Dr. Corrigan says.

- Everything is gonna be fine.
- It will be a boy, won't it?

If that's what you want,
of course.

Anything you say, Colonel.

Hello? Dean?

Mary? Hello?

- Hello? Hello?
- Dean?

Come on now. Let's go. That's it.
How are you, Lu Wan?

- Fine, thank you, Colonel.
- Picked these children up on the road.

Did you get through
to your wife, Colonel?

- Yes, everything's fine.
- New guests?

- Hungry too.
- I'll take care of 'em.

I'll get these other
chow hounds into the sack

and drive you back to the base.

- Good. - Say, you honest
to gosh gonna have a kid?

- Honest to gosh.
- Yeah?

Oh, here.
I almost forgot.

Oh, thanks, Colonel.

Come on, team.
Charge.

What have we here, Lu Wan?

A piece of army soap
has many uses.

Let's hope you whittle
with it more successfully

than we wash with it.
Chu!

- Chu!
- He heard your jeep driving up.

He's always waiting for you,
Colonel.

You have such a way
with these little ones.

I better have. I'm gonna
have one of my own soon.

Well, don't you look handsome!

Your own?

I just found out today.
I even telephoned my wife.

Your wife?

Your wife must be very happy.

As happy as she can be with a
husband who's left her alone.

She is not alone.

She will have her baby
and the knowledge that

you will come home
to her someday.

Come, Chu.
It's your bedtime.

Almost finished.

Why, it's Miss Yang.

Though to do it in soap
is an insult.

She deserves the finest ivory.

- A beautiful and remarkable young lady.
- Yes.

But there's something... I don't know...
strange about her.

Like so many of us,
she's lost everything...

thrown into the middle of war,

deprived of home, family,
friends and romance.

Listen to this old soap carver
speak of romance!

Why, romance
is so far in my past,

I can't even turn it
into a good memory!

- Lu Wan.
- Yes?

The children would like
to say goodnight to you.

Ah, I will see them.

It is always a pleasure
to talk with you, Colonel.

What a lovely evening.

You'd hardly think there was a war
going on around here, would you?

Just smell the pine.

The pine, Colonel,
is our symbol for eternity.

Because it is green
all the year round,

it seems to live forever.

On Cheju, near the schoolhouse,
there are twin pine trees.

They mirror each other.

When the wind blows, they sway
together like two dancers.

When it is still,
they stand patiently,

their branches entwined.

The legend is that they grow
together, side by side.

Out of the graves of two lovers?

Of two lovers who could not
have each other in this life.

Miss Yang!

It's okay. They're all
tucked in and half asleep.

Thank you, Herman.

Miss Yang...

Well, uh good night.

Good night, Colonel.

Poor boy.
You're really loaded.

Let's see. How did I do?
Yeah, that's pretty good.

Up you go.

Who's next?
You want to be next?

Let's see what we got here.

I think they're down
in the back this time.

This might tickle
a little bit, but...

Keep your eyes closed.

I think I'll recommend you for an
insect gun sharpshooting medal.

I must have killed a million
of these bugs single-handed.

A delousing detail like this
gives me a sense of power!

Get these kids outta here!

Scramble!

Hit the deck!

Hollis! Break!

Bandit comin' in
on your tail, Colonel!

- Macintosh Leader.
- Go ahead, Maples.

There's one on my tail.
Can you get him?

Break right, Maples.
I'll get on him.

He's closing in!

What are you gonna do if you
have to gun down a Yak?

Cut him off, Colonel!
Help me!

Thanks, Colonel!
That was crazy shooting!

Boy, it looked like you guys were
having one big time up there!

Where are you going, Lu Wan?
You're not leaving?

I have been here too long.

I must get to Pusan.
I have responsibilities.

Well, we'd like you to stay.
You know that.

It wouldn't be fair
to ask any more of you.

Thank you for what you've done.

What? Jostle some children on my
knee so I can enjoy their laughter?

It is I who should thank you.

But, Colonel, you seem troubled.

There's nothing
so terrible as war.

I killed today.

Yes, war is evil.

I see what is in your heart.

Colonel, may a poor old carver
of ivory babble for a moment?

Understand, it is only babble

and may have no more worth
than a handful of sand.

In times like these,

can a man of good
conscience ask others,

"Protect me. Kill for me.

But do not ask me
to stain my hands"?

What must one do when
a choice between two evils

is all that is offered?

To accept the lesser sometimes
can be our only choice.

In order to save,
at times we must destroy,

and in destruction,
create new life.

Is that the answer?

The true answer, Colonel,
is not in my babble.

It is in the Book.

"O Lord,
thou hast seen my wrong;

judge thou my cause."

Who are you?

Just a weary old man,

most anxious to get
to his stall in Pusan.

The dance is a great favorite.

It tells of two girls
who are friends meeting

after a great adversity

and relating their
discoveries about life.

One goes on and on
relating a hundred things

about this and that.

And the other?

She relates but one:

That faith is the greatest
comforter of all.

This is Macintosh Control.

How many tanks
did you say? Repeat.

Better alert the colonel.

Do you read me, Vagabond One?

Colonel!

- Colonel Hess.
- What is it?

We just picked up a radio report

from a forward observer.

Big enemy armored column
movin' in.

Macintosh Control.
Repeat your position.

Repeat your position.
Over.

Macintosh Control.
This is Vagabond One.

I'm at Abel-Mike-7523.

Enemy column
moving directly south.

Nothing to stop them this side
of Division Headquarters.

Need air strike immediately.

- What a night for this! - Sure, they're
using the weather to push ahead.

Alert the men, Herman.

- Call Headquarters.
- I'll get dressed.

Calling Butterfly.
Calling Butterfly.

This is Macintosh Control.
Over.

They're only 45 minutes
to the north.

All the other airstrips are
socked in even worse than we are.

Not a plane in the whole area
can get off the ground.

That goes for us too.
That runway, Colonel

It'd take pontoons
easier than wheels.

Sir, my men and I
volunteer to try it.

No, I don't think so.
That runway's too tough.

I don't even know
if it's usable.

- Moore...
- Why don't we find out?

Get a plane ready for me,
bombs and rockets.

Yes, sir.

- Permission to go along.
- No.

You need someone for top cover.

I'm not risking any more
planes than I have to.

If anything happens to you,
we're sitting ducks back here.

If two of us go, one
is bound to get through.

Besides, I've got some
makin' up to do, Dean.

- Go get your gear.
- Thanks.

Tell that observer
we're on our way.

Ready the other planes.
Korean pilots on alert.

Wilco.

If things look bad,
I'll let you know.

Get word to Miss Yang
to be ready to evacuate the children.

You better stay
close to the deck.

Those clouds look like
they got rocks in 'em.

Good luck.

Permission to go first.

No. And if I don't make it,
don't you try. That's an order.

Roger.

He's crazy.
They'll never make it.

Come on, boys!
Come on, men!

Come on! Get up there.

Get up there! That's it!
You can make it! Go on!

I'm airborne.
Come on ahead.

Right behind you.

Nothing to it.

I sure am glad we're
coming out of the soup.

We should be in
the target area by now.

I'll try and contact
that British observer.

Hello, Vagabond.
Hello, Vagabond.

This is Macintosh Blue Leader.
Come in. Over.

Hello, Macintosh Blue Leader.
This is Vagabond.

- Is that all of you?
- That's all.

How does it look from there?

For a while, the weather
had them bogged down a bit,

but now it's stopped raining.

They've started to move again.

If you could knock out
those lead tanks,

they'd block the road.

Got you.
Read him, Skidmore?

- I got him.
- We'll do as he says.

Target straight ahead.

Wowie.

Nice going!
Now if you hit their rear,

it'll contain them
until we get more help.

Who needs it?
Man, this is a turkey shoot.

Macintosh Leader
to Macintosh Control.

Do you receive me? Over.

This is
Macintosh Control. Go ahead.

- Major Chong's group ready?
- Affirmative.

Turn 'em loose.

Roger.
Green light.

Can you have another go
at the head of the column?

They're moving
around those lead tanks.

Roger.
We'll go after them.

- Did you read him, Skidmore?
- Roger.

Okay. Let's make these
last rockets count.

Clobbered him on that one!

Yanks, you've got 'em boxed up!

Your crew can tie the ribbon on.

Pink or blue?

Reaching fuel limit.
Let's head for the base.

Right.

Right with you, Dean.

You all right, Skidmore?

I'm afraid I've had it.

Hang on!

Don't know if I can.

Yes, you can, Stan.

Our ROK pilots at 12:00.

Here's where our training
starts paying off.

Wilco.

Here they come.

Macintosh Leader to Tower.

- Get the ambulance and crash
wagons to stand by. - Yes, sir!

Sighting the field, Stan.

We're almost home, boy.
Stay with me.

Okay.

Look, you're doing
just great, Stan.

Straighten up.
Keep it straight now.

That's it.
Now, put your wheels down.

Do you hear me?
Put your wheels down.

Thattaboy.

Line it up, Stan.
Keep it lined up.

Nice and easy.
That's a boy.

You're doing just great.
Keep it just like that.

Fly right on in
for a nice landing.

I'll stay up till
you've landed safely.

Dean? Dean?

- Yes, Stan?
- Are you there?

- Right here.
- I'm...

I'm scared.

There's nothing to be afraid of.

Nothing.

I thought I knew how to live...

but I didn't.

Now I...

I...
don't know how to die.

- Dean?
- Yes, Stan?

Say...

Say a prayer for me.

It's already been said.

Look, don't be afraid.

Think of life as a shadowy place

crowded with people

who can't see each other
very well.

Think also of a door
just beyond.

When that door opens,

we pass through
into a wonderful brightness.

That's all there is.

Just a gentle step
from darkness to light.

From darkness to light.

Thank you...

Reverend.

If you say so.

Thanks.

And a wind came
from the wilderness.

And it carried me...

where man can never reach alone.

And for the first time,

in trying to bring him
a measure of peace,

I felt that I may have
been the instrument

that I had wanted
and needed to be.

Perhaps,
through the agony of war,

I have finally done

what I never before
was able to do.

In reaching beyond myself,

I have found myself.

Chu.

Sleep well.

We didn't
expect you so late, Colonel.

The children are all sleeping.

May we step outside
for a moment?

Of course.

Miss Yang, I...

- I'm being moved to another airfield.
- Moved?

Now don't worry. Herman and
Lieutenant Maples are staying.

Everything will be
just the same.

One thing is not
the other, Colonel.

The mulberry bush will not give
the same shade as the pine.

You will be here.

Who knows for how long?

Oh, forgive me.

It is not like me
to admit to my fears.

But lately, Cheju has
been much in my mind.

Something...

Some fear tells me I will
never see my home again.

When this is all over,
you'll see Cheju again.

Goodbye, Miss Yang.

Goodbye, Colonel.

Until a better day.

Until a better day.

Orders arrive for me yet?
Hess. Dean Hess.

Oh, yes, Colonel.
Came in about an hour ago.

From the looks of things,
you didn't get out of that.

- Yongsan area any too soon.
- Why? What's up?

Enemy's mounting
an all-out attack.

Your ROK outfit's already
abandoned the field

and been pulled back
for regrouping.

The whole area's
been written off.

Well, I'll get your
orders now, Colonel.

No, no, no, not chew gum!
Come on! Get it inside!

- Heads up!
- Too bad we're fresh out of gum.

- You're not kidding. - Hey, whatever
happened to that last carton anyway?

- Ask Chu.
- Hey, it's the colonel!

- Well, what in the world?
- My jeep took one.

- Is it true about the field?
- Yes, sir. Closed yesterday.

We stopped by with these supplies
on our way to the Replacement Pool.

- Miss Yang!
- Oh, Colonel!

You knew we needed you!

You've got to move out of here!

But with all these children...

- There are almost 400!
- Well, you can't stay, that's all.

Now come on!
We haven't any time to waste.

Herman, put those supplies
back in the jeep!

Yes, sir.

All right.
Put it in there.

Anywhere in here, Maples.

How's the boy?

I don't think he can
go much further, Colonel.

They're all so exhausted.

There's an airstrip eight or
10 more miles down this road.

From there, we might be able
to get the children to Cheju.

Cheju? But how?

Just a few transport planes
could fly them across.

First thing in the morning,
I'll go on ahead and find out.

You start down the road, and
I'll meet you on my way back.

Colonel.

- Colonel.
- Why, Lu Wan!

Some refugees on the road informed
me that you had to leave the temple.

So I turned back
to offer my assistance.

Well, we sure can use it.

But I thought you wanted
to get to Pusan.

I am not sure I want
to go there anymore.

I was told my store
was destroyed by fire.

So, I thought that
being of service

to those little ones

is something that can
never be destroyed.

We're hoping
to get them to Cheju,

but it seems almost impossible.

The difference between the
impossible and the possible

is the measure of man's will.

Lu Wan!
Come and sit down.

You look tired.

Mine is age, Miss Yang.
It is you who must be tired.

Let me take the child,
and you sleep.

- Oh, no, no. I...
- You must sleep.

Come on, will ya, Joe? We gotta
burn this place down to the ground!

Hey, Frank, over here!
Help me load this!

All right, all right,
I'm coming!

Sergeant, I...

I'm Colonel Hess.
Are you the duty officer?

I was, sir. The squadron was diverted
this morning. Last plane just left.

You mean there's
no more planes coming in?

The field's been written off.
We're the last ones.

I gotta find some sort of
transportation to take some Cheju.

- Kids?
- Yeah. Three or four hundred of 'em.

- Can you help me out?
- Four hundred?

That's impossible, Colonel!
Have you tried the port?

- No. How far is it? - Eighteen
miles, straight down the runway.

Thanks, Captain.

Yes, sir.
Captain Reardon.

Everyone's gone but us.

- Have you started your fire yet?
- Yes, sir.

Oh, Major, a colonel
was just here

and wanted an airlift
for a bunch of kids to Cheju.

Children, hundreds.

- What's his name?
- Hess, I think.

So that's where he is.
Tell him his orders are in.

- Then get out of there!
- Yes, sir!

Colonel! Colonel!

I wish we had
a line to the port.

That colonel's in trouble!

Want me to, uh,
hook it up again?

No, go ahead.

- To Cheju?
- Yes, sir.

Several hundred of 'em,
the captain said.

Sev...

- Put me through to him.
- Right, sir.

Lieutenant, can you fix me up with
an evacuation boat of some kind?

- An L.S.T. Maybe?
- An L.S.T.?

There's nothing free
in the whole coast.

But these are orphans!
Dying ones!

I'm sorry, Colonel, but we're in a bind
for anything that'll carry troops.

You're the Navy!
Where's all your ships?

You're the Air Force.
Where's all your planes?

Come on!

No luck.

No luck?

Ours?

- No! Theirs! - Off the road,
everybody! Down in the ditch!

Herman, get those kids
off that cart!

Yung-Ai!
Yung-Ai!

Okay, back on the road.
He's gone.

He's gone.

You...

You will see them to safety.

I know.

I...

I was not to see Cheju again.

But you...

you will.

I...

I couldn't find anything to say,

not even a prayer.

Words do not carry
the greatest tribute, my son.

No more than they may
hold the perfect truth.

Good deeds
are your purest prayers.

Planes!

- Ours!
- 119s!

Troop Carrier Command!

- Five of 'em!
- Five!

- Maybe they're not for us.
- Find out.

- Colonel Hess here?
- He sure is!

Who sent you people?

General Cambridge. Just call
us "Operation Kiddy-Car."

But our name will be mud
unless we get out of here now!

Yes, sir!

Hey, Colonel!

Wow!

What a thing to be buddies
with a general!

Come on! This way!
Come on, children!

Come on this way.
Come on through. Come on.

That's my boy!
Aha! Where ya been?

- The lead pilot wants the word, sir.
- Tell him to take off.

- Yes, sir.
- Green light. Take off.

Not bad.

Chu!

- This is old Chu.
- Chu! Me Chu!

- Me Mary, Chu.
- You Mary.

- Yes.
- Here you are, sport.

Oh, it's wonderful
to see them so healthy.

We fed 'em gum.

Darling, you look as happy
as the children.

It's always been the children.