The National Geographic Magazine - August, 1951

          ASI sat chatting with a Turkish journalist in his office in Ankara, a messenger entered with a sheaf of heavily headlined newspapers. My friend skimmed one across to me. The black letters, in the nation's modern alphabet of Latin characters, announced that Turkey had offer to send troops to join the armed forces of the United Nations in Korea. The Turkish Brigade, 5,190 strong, and third largest United Nations contingent in Korea, arrived in the battle zone six weeks before the Chinese Communist armies launched their offensive in November, 1950. By the end of that month the Turks had shown their mettle in decisive fashion. They were called on to plug a gap between retreating South Korea forces and the exposed flank of the American eight Army. The situation was critical. Short of food and ammunition, the Turks stopped the red flood with bayonets, sticks, and bare fists for two days, and protect the American flank. Their mission accomplished, they were ordered to withdraw. Officers and men marched the 50 miles back to Pyongyang, carrying their wounded on their backs. Every tenth man had been a casualty. The late Lt. Gen. Walton H. Walker, commander of the American Eight Army, pinned medals on Brig. Gen. Tahsin Yazıcı and 15 of his gallant men. General Mac Arthur, visiting the Korean front in February, said, "In Tokyo they are calling the Turks the Bee-Bee Brigade-bravest of the brave." Every day for centuries barefoot figures have formed a tiny group before the prayer niche in Istanbul's old Mosque of Suleiman the Magnificent. But after the Turks won fame in Korea, the huge rugs were crowded with Turks praying for their soldiers, far from home. More then 32,000 enlisted men in Turkish Army volunteered for service in Korea to replace the casualties. Six hundred, chosen by lot, were sent to join the Brigade.