The Christmas Tide

The Korean War is very much a conflict that has been neglected by history. Overshadowed by the Second Great War, and glossed over compared to the disaster of the Vietnam War. In the forgotten and dust covered portion of history, we can find a great deal of heroic stories. One story I will share is not one of great bravery under fire, or of a collassal victory. But, one that shows the greatest of humanity, even in the midst of such darkness.

Following the Pusan Landings, the combined forces of the United States, South Korea and the United Nations were able to press their advantage against the North Korean army. They were able to control the area all the way up to the northernmost border of Korea. At the Yalu River.

In December of 1950, the Chinese and the North Koreans had regrouped and sent a counter attack against the U.N. forces. Three Hundred Thousands Chinese volunteers bolstered the North Korean Army, crossed the Yalu and engaged the coalition. Surprised and outnumbered, the U.N. forces fell back through Korea, eventually becoming encircled in the Chosin Reservoir. It is to date considered by the United States Military among the most difficult battles it has ever faced. The U.N. forces were able to break out from this trap and a massive evacuation was planned at the port city of Hungnam. Nearly a hundred thousand soldiers and supplies needed to be removed from the city before the Chinese and North Koreans arrived. The matter was further complicated when an estimated one hundred thousand Korean refugees, fleeing the communist amassed at Hungnam as well. The decision was made to evacuate as many of the refugees as possible after the military personnel and supplies. 193 ships were brought in to participate in the evacuation, one of these ships was the SS Meredith Victory commanded by Cpt. Leonard LaRue.

The Meredith victory, a 455 foot cargo ship, was one of the last to arrive; it was tasked with evacuating the refugees. "I trained my binoculars on the shore and saw a pitiable scene," LaRue later wrote. "Korean refugees thronged the docks. With them was everything they could wheel, carry or drag. Beside them, like frightened chicks, were their children." Captain LaRue ordered the removal of as many supplies as possible in order to fit as many people onto his ship as possible. On December 22, the crew was able to fit 14,000 refugees onto their ship that was designed to hold only 12 additional passengers. Shoulder to shoulder, the refugees were packed into the cargo holds of the ship and on the deck, while just hours away laid the Combined Chinese and North Korean Army ''In the captain's mind it was the right thing to do,'' J. Robert Lunney, , staff officer of the Meredith Victory, said in a telephone interview. ''It was that simple. His mind was unencumbered. ‘On December 23, the ship set sail south to Pusan with no mine detection equipment, no doctor, no interpreter, no lighting in the holds, no heat, no sanitation facilities. The ship's only weapon was the pistol in the captain LaRue’s pocket. The ship made its way fearing anti-ship mines or possible airstrikes that would have spelt doom for the undefended ship. The refugees managed to remain calm despite limited mobility and freezing conditions as the ship successfully made its way to Pusan on Christmas eve, only to be turned away to the Island of Koje-do who could accommodate the refugees. On Christmas, the SS Meredith victory made its voyage to Koje-do without a single death or injury among the refugees. In fact, the ship's population grew as five babies were born during the voyage, delivered by a crewman who only knew first aid and a Korean midwife, despite a language barrier.

The story received acclaim across the world at the time as the crew and ship were recognized for their feat of heroism. With the crew receiving medals from the U.S. and South Korean government and the ship was designated as “gallant ship” by the Eisenhower administration. The voyage still holds the Guinness world record as the largest evacuation from land to sea by a single ship in history. But the impact is obvious regardless of the awards. Cpt. LaRue would later comment on the voyage saying “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.” Following the Korean War, LaRue joined an order of Benedictine monks in New Jersey, taking on the name Brother Mariunus. He lived out the remainder of his life at the monastery, passing in 2001.

This amazing story is the Subject of a book called “The Ship of Miracles” and a documentary of the same name which can be found online. But the thing I carry most from the testimonies of those that were there, including LaRue’s writings and the recollections of the crew were that the was no doubt about carrying these refugees to safety. It was dangerous and risky, the boat could have easily been called full with a much smaller number, but the mindset of the crew was not if they should do it, but how they were going to do it. It really a testament to both the strength and the character of these men and a quality that all should strive for in their lives. Always do what is best even when it is difficult to do so.