The Sullivans

Vanity ^ | 6 16 2011 | Dick Bachert

[Dick Bachert]

As the America I served in uniform for 4 years in the early Vietnam era sinks closer to abandoning the ideals, values and freedoms we all take for granted and for which so many have struggled and died defending here and abroad, I'm reminded that we're in this mess because so many have never learned or just forgotten that freedom is anything but free. It is HARD – and too often DEADLY -- WORK.

As I searched for a photo in my computer library recently, an image jumped off the screen at me and brought to mind a personal incident highlighting our current problem and, not incidentally, reminding us that July 4th is not just about hot dogs and beer. We should pay homage to men such as these each and every day.

I awoke one morning during a 2005 cruise as we pulled into Nassau and looked out the porthole to see two US Arleigh Burke class destroyers next to us. After breakfast, I strolled out onto deck 7 and got goose bumps when I noticed the shamrock on the stack of one of them. Thinking I knew what boat she was, I walked aft to catch a view of the transom of that boat. I was right. It was the USS “THE SULLIVANS!" The goose bumps intensified as I recalled the story of the five Sullivan brothers who INSISTED that they be allowed to serve together and, persisting in the face of a naval regulation prohibiting it, were assigned to the USS Juneau when she was sunk on November 13, 1942 at Guadalcanal. 4 boys died instantly and the 5th son died at sea either from his injuries, a shark attack or exposure.

THEIR MOTHER RECEIVED ALL 5 TELEGRAMS FROM THE NAVY ON THE SAME DAY!!!!

I related the story to several of those on deck with me who were also checking out the destroyers. I was greeted with BLANK STARES of disinterest. I wanted to grab one guy by the stacking swivel, hoist him off the deck and scream that it was men and ships such as that which make it possible for A**HOLES like him to enjoy a peaceful cruise around the Caribbean. Not wishing to spend the rest of the voyage in the brig, I contented myself with muttering "a**hole" as he wandered off in search of another buffet.

And in a sign of the times, both ships had armed sentries posted fore and aft in Nassau, an ostensibly friendly and safe port. But then, Aden was also considered safe at the time the USS Cole (also a Burke class destroyer) was attacked. And I believe that, unlike the guards on the Cole -- and the Marine sentries in Beirut years earlier -- THESE guys were locked and loaded with orders to fire for effect!

[Dick Bachert]

As with 911, we must never forget men such as these.

[Rockiette]

We still produce young men like the Sullivans, men who love their Country and sacrifice everything for her. God Bless the Sullivans and all the heros who defend America. Thank you so much for posting.

[Senior Chief]

I had the privilege of being part of the commissioning crew on this very fine vessel. Build in Bath Maine and commissioned on Staten Island. One of four ships I commissioned while serving in the Navy.

[NEMDF]

I did not know about the Sullivans. Thank you for the post.

[maine-iac7]

The very movie I ever saw was “The 5 Sullivans.” Even as a kid, I thought: “Why would they put them all on a BOAT - on land, it isn't as likely they would all be killed at once.”I was only about 8 - I still remember the youngest brother always yelling: "Hey, wait for me!"

[ArrogantBustard]

We still produce young men like the Sullivans,

Thank you.

Never ask "Where do we get such men?", as though they came from some mysterious source long lost and forgotten in the distant past.

It's no mystery at all.

They came from America. They come from America today.

And as long as America remains America, and remains worthy of such men, such men will continue to come from America.

May God grant that it always be so.

[ArrogantBustard]

Why would they put them all on a BOAT

IIRC, it was against regulations (DUH!!!), but it made for good PR.

[Zman516]

As with 911, we must never forget men such as these.

AMEN!

When I was a boy (1958 or thereabouts) I built a plastic model of the first USS The Sullivans.(DD537) I still remember the awe I felt when I read about the story of the Sullivan brothers included in the model's instruction booklet

[hc87]

It was a absurd for the Navy to put five brothers on the same ship. They knew from the experience of the Arizona at Pearl Harbor what could happen(33 pairs of brothers, 3 sets of 3, with 2 brothers killed in 24 of those families). Juneau was sunk in November ‘42 and the Navy Department had stopped taking requests for brother to serve on the same ship in July of ‘42.

I recognize the valor of their sacrifice, but the Navy should never have put the Sullivan family in that position for a good press story.

[Lmo56]

“The 5 Sullivans”

It was "The Fighting Sullivans" ...

[maine-iac7]

it was against regulations (DUH!!!), but it made for good PR.

I KNOW it was against regs (DUH!!!) - but I repeat - if they were going to put them all together - for PR - it shouldn't have been on a boat - where it would be likely, if the boat went down - ALL would be lost...NOT good for PR.

But at least, it resulted in such family tragedies from becoming the norm henceforth -

[Lmo56]

The elementary school at Yokosuka Naval Base [Japan] is named The Sullivans School. I attended grades 1-3 from 1962-1965 when my Dad was stationed there ...

'Course, the school has been renovated since I attended ...

[mark_interrupted]

wasn’t the Cole a Perry class frigate?

[BfloGuy]

USS The Sullivans (the original) is moored at the Buffalo Naval and Military Park.

[joelt]

I remember seeing the movie about them when I was a kid.

[ballplayer]

From the same Hometown as Michelle Bachman

[garandgal]

I have this poster; it's one of my favorites.

[Dick Bachert]

It is also a Burke class destroyer bearing number DDG-67, one number under The Sullivans.