Victory at Sea

The western Iowa farm town of Red Oak has a proud military history dating back to the Civil War, when the area provided more Union troops per capita than any other in the state. The town has paid dearly for its distinction. During the dark days of World War II, Red Oak lost more than 50 of its sons in battles from Tunisia to Iwo Jima. In proportion to population (then 5,763), it was possibly the highest loss suffered by any town in the nation. Commemorating Red Oak's sacrifice, the Maritime Administration christened a wartime freighter after it in 1944.

The Red Oak Victory carried munitions across the Pacific in the closing months of World War II. In 1950 she was reactivated to haul materiel for the Korean War. After a brief stint transporting grain to India, she was retired again. Last week the Red Oak, one of 101 Victory ships dragged out of mothballs for service in Viet Nam, was ready to sail again after a $400,000 refit and new coat of grey paint. For her rededication, Red Oak Mayor Joseph Tiffin flew to Portland, Ore., with a specially stitched town flag, which Captain Robert Blood will hoist when the ship weighs anchor for Viet Nam with a cargo of lumber and ammunition. Said Maritime Administrator Nicholas Johnson at the ceremony: "Once more Americans are fighting for freedom halfway around the world. Once more ships are needed to supply the tools of battle. And once more the Red Oak Victory is heeding the call." So is the community for which she is named: 16 Red Oak-area boys are serving in Viet Nam.

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