- SS Lane Victory is an American Victory-class cargo ship used in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War. The ship was preserved in 1989 to serve as a museum ship in the San Pedro area of Los Angeles, California. As a rare surviving Victory ship, she was designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark.
- The Korean War is perhaps the least known major conflict in contemporary history. The war killed at least 2.5 million people and countless were wounded. On June 25th, 1950, North Korean forces, backed politically and militarily by China and the Soviet Union, crossed the 38th parallel into South Korea.
The 5.7 million American men and women who served in that war each have their own memories, whether they were on the battle front, in the air, or in support of those whose lives were at risk.
The Hungnam Evacuation saga began in December 1950, when the U.S.-led U.N. forces were suddenly surrounded by Communist Chinese troops who stealthily entered the fray. More than 100,000 Chinese "volunteers" overran the unsuspecting U.N. troops near the Chosin Reservoir. The U.N. troops hastily retreated south to the port city of Hungnam, where they were evacuated on 193 ships.
Close to one hundred thousand desperate civilian refugees gathered around the villages and towns near the port with their bags, sacks, and babies strapped to their backs. Mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters of all ages desperately sought escape to avoid death or capture at the hands of the Communists.
During the Hungnam Evacuation, The SS Lane Victory was also deployed to evacuate Korean civilians and United Nations personnel at Wonsan, North Korea. It evacuated over 3,800 U.S. troops and 1,100 vehicles that survived the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. Lane Victory offloaded troops, vehicles, and cargo as the cruiser USS Saint Paul and destroyers laid down covering fire. After unloading, she safely evacuated 7,010 men, women, and children. When the ship arrived, 7,011 passengers disembarked, as a baby had been born during the voyage.
The movie shares some emotional and compelling stories from the Korean War refugees who recall their memories of during the Hungnam evacuation. Sadly, this legacy and memories are fading away as our heroes, men and women who serve the Korean War, are being forgotten. The massive efforts in South Korea to secure this legendary US ship began in 2017. The goal is to turn it into a permanent historical monument. It would help remind the younger generations of the cruelty of war and the importance of peace before it too becomes another scrap metal project.
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