Launched on June 23rd, 1945 the SS Meredith Victory gained great acclaim thanks to her crew’s action during the Korean War. Under the command of Captain Leonard LaRue, she took part in the largest humanitarian operation undertaken by a single ship, evacuating over 14,000 refugees from Hungnam, away from the advancing Chinese and North Korean forces. This was to earn it a Gallant Ship Award, a Korean Presidential Unit Citation, and a Meritorious Service Medal. The achievement seems all the more exceptional when you consider that Victory ships were only designed to carry 12 passengers and 47 crew. The ship was mothballed after the war, only to be recommissioned again in 1966 and converted into a troop transport for Vietnam. Despite her heroic history, the Meredith did harbor a hidden danger, namely the carcinogenic asbestos that could be found in all areas of the ship. Anyone who has worked onboard the SS Meredith Victory should be on the alert for signs of asbestos-related diseases and consult a doctor immediately if they experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, persistent cough, and tightness in the chest.
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