The article tells the stories of young US military officers from the West Point class of 1949 who found themselves in the Korean War shortly after graduating. These officers had to quickly adapt to the realities of combat, showing bravery and leadership in the face of unexpected challenges. The article shares individual accounts of their experiences, including acts of heroism and sacrifice. The author, who also served in the war, uses these personal stories to paint a vivid picture of the Korean War at the junior officer level.