Battle Hymn: From Chaplain to Fighter Pilot, first published in 1956, is the inspirational autobiographical account of U.S. Air Force Colonel Dean Hess (born 1917). Hess details his experiences as a combat pilot in both World War Two and the Korean conflict. He flew more than 300 missions over France, Germany, and Korea and received numerous decorations from both the U.S. and Korean governments. His service was the subject of the 1957 film of the same name, starring Rock Hudson.
Prior to the Second World War, Hess was a Protestant minister living in Marietta, Ohio. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hess came to believe that it was not right to ask members of his congregation to fight if he was not prepared to go himself - not as a chaplain but as a combatant.
In Korea, in addition to flying combat missions, Hess undertook the daunting task of organizing and training a South Korean air force. He is also remembered for his part in the so-called "Kiddy Car Airlift," the rescue of nearly 1,000 orphans and 80 orphanage staff from the path of the advancing Chinese in December 1950. Although Hess' actual role in the airlift has been somewhat criticized, Hess donated proceeds from Battle Hymn (both the book and movie) to charities helping Korean children. Included are 10 pages of photographs and maps.