Located in San Pedro, port of Los Angeles is this Victory Ship, built in Los Angeles in 1945. It served in the final days of WWII, and through Korea and during Vietnam, put in the Ready Reserve Fleet in 1971, and then in 1988 deeded to the USMMVWWII. In 1990 the ship was designated a National Historic Landmark.
The US Merchant Marine service supplied most of the munitions and fuel to our troops and allies. They had a difficult and dangerous job: the casualty rate of merchant marines as a percentage was second to the Marine Corp. A total of 6,795 seamen lost their lives and 674 ships were sunk in WWII. The men who served eventually received full veteran status.
The Lane Victory is open to the public and during the summer there are cruises where passengers experience an aerial "Attack" by vintage planes, and the ship shooting back.
Worth a visit. The ship has been moved twice in the harbor. New location has free parking.
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