Berea Victory served as a merchant marine ship supplying ammunition for the Korean War. About 75 percent of the personnel serving in the Korean War were delivered by the merchant marine ships. Berea Attorney transported goods, mail, and other supplies. About 90 percent of the cargo was moved by merchant marine ships to the war zone. Berea Victory made trips between 1951 and 1952.Korean War educator At 9am in Suyong, Korea, on 14 August 1951 Colonel Mattis saw smoke rising from #5 hatch of the Berea Victory as she was being unloaded in the harbor. Colonel Mattis took a small boat and found a lit parachute-flare in the ship's hold. Later it was found that a Korean laborer had put it there. The ship's hold had 575 tons of flares, bombs, and other ammunition. Colonel Mattis went down in the smoke-filled hold and removed the burning flare saving the ship. Following his actions others joined to put out the fire. Later Lieutenant Colonel Mattis was awarded a medal for he actions.Michael C. Mattis, Soldier's Medal, AWARDED FOR ACTIONS, Korean War, Service: Army.
