SS Meredith Victory
Encyclopedia
The SS Meredith Victory was a United States Merchant Marine
Victory ship
, a type of cargo freighter built for World War II
. It is best known for evacuating more than 14,000 refugees in a single mission during the Korean War
.
Under the stewardship of Captain Leonard LaRue
, the SS Meredith Victory performed the largest humanitarian rescue operation by a single ship. The vessel has often been described as the "Ship of Miracles" as it was designed to carry only 12 passengers.
, a small town in North Carolina
. The ship was built to transport supplies and equipment overseas during World War II. It was then deployed in the Korean War
.
In December 1950, United Nations Command troops were retreating from northeast Korea
after a massive assault by Chinese
and North Korea
n forces. Over 100,000 UNC soldiers were to evacuate the city of Hungnam
on 193 ships. Nearly the same number of civilians had also gathered at the port, hoping to board these vessels heading to safety in the southern port of Pusan. News of the evacuation had spread in the region and many refugees fleeing from the communists had lined up on the shores seeking rescue.
On December 21, Captain Leonard LaRue
of the SS Meredith Victory made the decision to unload nearly all weapons and supplies on board the ship in order to transport the remaining refugees to safety. Although built to accommodate only 12 passengers, besides the crew and staff, it managed to hold more than 14,000 Korean civilians fleeing the approaching communists. By using booms and makeshift elevators, the ship was converted to hold the refugees who filled the five cargo holds and the entire main deck. The ship departed on December 23 for Pusan as gunfire from UNC ships and explosives destroyed the port in an "enemy-denial-operation" razing.
Years later, La Rue would reflect on that trip:
I think often of that voyage. I think of how such a small vessel was able to hold so many persons and surmount endless perils without harm to a soul. And, as I think, the clear, unmistakable message comes to me that on that Christmastide, in the bleak and bitter waters off the shores of Korea, God's own hand was at the helm of my ship.
Despite the fact that the refugees were "packed like sardines in a can" and most had to remain standing up, shoulder-to-shoulder, in freezing weather conditions during the entire voyage, there were no injuries or casualties on board. There was very little food or water and the people were virtually unable to move. J. Robert Lunney, Staff Officer on the ship and a navy veteran of World War II, stated: "There's no explanation for why the Korean people
, as stoic as they are, were able to stand virtually motionless and in silence. We were impressed by the conduct of the refugees, despite their desperate plight. We were touched by it." First mate D.S. Savastio, who only had first aid training, delivered five babies during the three day passage to safety. The ship arrived in Pusan on Christmas Eve
before heading to its final destination of Koje Island on December 26.
Captain LaRue remained in command of the SS Meredith Victory until the ship was decommissioned in 1952.
After the Korean War, the SS Meredith Victory sat in the harbour of Bremerton, Washington as part of the navy's "mothball fleet" until it served some minor missions during the Vietnam War
.
n government honored the crew of the SS Meredith Victory with the Korean Presidential Unit Citation
. The United States Merchant Marine
also gave the ship's crew the Meritorious Service Medal
its highest honor.
On August 24, 1960, the SS Meredith Victory was conferred the title of "Gallant Ship
" by a special act of the U.S. Congress that was signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower
.
The Department of Transportation
declared the SS Meredith Victory rescue mission as "the greatest rescue in the history of mankind". The Guinness Book of World Records has described it as "the greatest rescue operation ever by a single ship".
to later become scrap metal in China.
United States Merchant Marine
The United States Merchant Marine refers to the fleet of U.S. civilian-owned merchant vessels, operated by either the government or the private sector, that engage in commerce or transportation of goods and services in and out of the navigable waters of the United States. The Merchant Marine is...
Victory ship
Victory ship
The Victory ship was a type of cargo ship produced in large numbers by North American shipyards during World War II to replace shipping losses caused by German submarines...
, a type of cargo freighter built for World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. It is best known for evacuating more than 14,000 refugees in a single mission during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
.
Under the stewardship of Captain Leonard LaRue
Leonard LaRue
Captain Leonard LaRue , later known as "Brother Marinus", was the skipper of the SS Meredith Victory, a United States Merchant Marine cargo freighter that was involved in the largest humanitarian rescue operation by a single ship in human history...
, the SS Meredith Victory performed the largest humanitarian rescue operation by a single ship. The vessel has often been described as the "Ship of Miracles" as it was designed to carry only 12 passengers.
Concept
The SS Meredith Victory was named after MeredithMeredith Township, Wake County, North Carolina
Meredith Township is one of twenty townships within Wake County, North Carolina. As of the 2000 census, Meredith Township had a population of 11,492, a 44.4% increase over 1990, and a population density of 1.03 people per acre .Meredith Township, occupying 11,136 acres in central Wake County, is...
, a small town in North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. The ship was built to transport supplies and equipment overseas during World War II. It was then deployed in the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
.
In December 1950, United Nations Command troops were retreating from northeast Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
after a massive assault by Chinese
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
and North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
n forces. Over 100,000 UNC soldiers were to evacuate the city of Hungnam
Hungnam
Hŭngnam was the third largest city in North Korea.It is a port city on the eastern coast, in South Hamgyong Province, on the Sea of Japan . The city covers an area of 250 square kilometers...
on 193 ships. Nearly the same number of civilians had also gathered at the port, hoping to board these vessels heading to safety in the southern port of Pusan. News of the evacuation had spread in the region and many refugees fleeing from the communists had lined up on the shores seeking rescue.
On December 21, Captain Leonard LaRue
Leonard LaRue
Captain Leonard LaRue , later known as "Brother Marinus", was the skipper of the SS Meredith Victory, a United States Merchant Marine cargo freighter that was involved in the largest humanitarian rescue operation by a single ship in human history...
of the SS Meredith Victory made the decision to unload nearly all weapons and supplies on board the ship in order to transport the remaining refugees to safety. Although built to accommodate only 12 passengers, besides the crew and staff, it managed to hold more than 14,000 Korean civilians fleeing the approaching communists. By using booms and makeshift elevators, the ship was converted to hold the refugees who filled the five cargo holds and the entire main deck. The ship departed on December 23 for Pusan as gunfire from UNC ships and explosives destroyed the port in an "enemy-denial-operation" razing.
Years later, La Rue would reflect on that trip:
I think often of that voyage. I think of how such a small vessel was able to hold so many persons and surmount endless perils without harm to a soul. And, as I think, the clear, unmistakable message comes to me that on that Christmastide, in the bleak and bitter waters off the shores of Korea, God's own hand was at the helm of my ship.
Despite the fact that the refugees were "packed like sardines in a can" and most had to remain standing up, shoulder-to-shoulder, in freezing weather conditions during the entire voyage, there were no injuries or casualties on board. There was very little food or water and the people were virtually unable to move. J. Robert Lunney, Staff Officer on the ship and a navy veteran of World War II, stated: "There's no explanation for why the Korean people
Korean people
The Korean people are an ethnic group originating in the Korean peninsula and Manchuria. Koreans are one of the most ethnically and linguistically homogeneous groups in the world.-Names:...
, as stoic as they are, were able to stand virtually motionless and in silence. We were impressed by the conduct of the refugees, despite their desperate plight. We were touched by it." First mate D.S. Savastio, who only had first aid training, delivered five babies during the three day passage to safety. The ship arrived in Pusan on Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve refers to the evening or entire day preceding Christmas Day, a widely celebrated festival commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth that takes place on December 25...
before heading to its final destination of Koje Island on December 26.
Captain LaRue remained in command of the SS Meredith Victory until the ship was decommissioned in 1952.
After the Korean War, the SS Meredith Victory sat in the harbour of Bremerton, Washington as part of the navy's "mothball fleet" until it served some minor missions during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
.
Awards and distinctions
After the war, the South KoreaSouth Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
n government honored the crew of the SS Meredith Victory with the Korean Presidential Unit Citation
Presidential Unit Citation (Korea)
The Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation is issued by the government of South Korea to both Korean military and foreign units. The last major issuance of the decoration was during the Korean War when the decoration was bestowed to several U.S., U.K., and Commonwealth military units...
. The United States Merchant Marine
United States Merchant Marine
The United States Merchant Marine refers to the fleet of U.S. civilian-owned merchant vessels, operated by either the government or the private sector, that engage in commerce or transportation of goods and services in and out of the navigable waters of the United States. The Merchant Marine is...
also gave the ship's crew the Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
its highest honor.
On August 24, 1960, the SS Meredith Victory was conferred the title of "Gallant Ship
Merchant Marine Gallant Ship Citation Ribbon
The Merchant Marine Gallant Ship Citation Ribbon is a decoration of the United States Merchant Marine. The decoration is awarded to officers and seamen who served on a United States vessel or to a foreign-flagged vessel, which at the time of service, participated in outstanding or gallant action...
" by a special act of the U.S. Congress that was signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
.
The Department of Transportation
Department of Transportation
The Department of Transportation is the most common name for a government agency in North America devoted to transportation. The largest is the United States Department of Transportation, which oversees interstate travel. All U.S. states, Canadian provinces, and many local agencies also have...
declared the SS Meredith Victory rescue mission as "the greatest rescue in the history of mankind". The Guinness Book of World Records has described it as "the greatest rescue operation ever by a single ship".
Sale
The SS Meredith Victory was later sold to Nishant Import/Export Co. of LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
to later become scrap metal in China.