Korean War Brothers in Arms

Join Ann Curry as Korean War veterans search for their brothers in arms. One wants to show his gratitude to two lieutenants who inspired him to be brave in battle, and the other hopes to thank a friend who boosted his spirits aboard a hospital ship.

Jim Owen had a difficult upbringing and in 1950 sought solace in the camaraderie of the United States Marines. He enlisted just as the war in Korea broke out and was quickly sent to serve on the front lines.

Defending the 38th Parallel, gunner Jim Owen describes being marooned under heavy artillery attack from Chinese troops in 1951. There he witnessed an act of heroism that has stayed with him for nearly 70 years.

While stationed on Hospital ship HSS Consolation, 21-year-old naval corpsman Tony Ybarra grew to rely on fellow corpsman TJ Wilkes to get through the gruelling long hours dealing with casualties from the front line. On the first hospital ship with a helipad, the wounded were airlifted from the battlefield within 15 minutes of injury.

Jim Owen begins his search for the two lieutenants that inspired him during the Korean War at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland. There Jim finds a vital clue among military records.