War is hell. It doesn’t get much worse than the story of the Sullivans.
Saw the movie when I was a kid and never forgot the story. Tragic.
Bless the Five Sullivans - both the brothers and the ship that bears their name.
There is an old B&W movie about the Sullivans.
It was so sad that I don’t think I would want to watch it again.
thanks for posting this.
the 5 sullivans hailed from Waterloo, Iowa, which is where I currently live..(well, really close to waterloo, anyway). The convention center in the downtown is aptly named Five Sullivan Brothers convention center.
Inside, they have a tribute to the brothers, pictures, life stories, etc. they also have a scale model of the Juneau, and the ship in your post.
It is a neat display to see, if you are ever in the Cedar Valley.
“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.”
Too bad you let yourself get frustrated. It sounded like a great opportunity to teach. What happened to the Sullivan’s mom should never happen to another American mom, so help our nation.
Thank you for the post and the reminder of what Independence Day has cost some.
It is apparent to me that history is lost on those that just believe they don’t have time for it...
Therefore they are indifferent, and their attitude is an affront to those that do their best to learn history, tradition, and honor the sacrifices of those that have served before us...
So the best we can do is keep on doing what we know best...And maybe, just maybe, our resilience will rub off on at least one other person in our lives...
Thanks for posting this, though very sad it shows the true sacrifice made by many during WWII.
Saw the movie on TV when I was 10 and didn’t know the ending.
Only time I cried at a movie. I’m a Sullivan.
Great movie!
I love the movie right up to the end. Watching the kids make mom a woodbox through the side of the house is great. But man, seeing dad check his railroad watch and go to work crying rips a hole right through me every time.
Myself and two of my brothers were on the same ship in 1965. (the USS Goodrich) It wasn’t an issue then...
Your post, and this thread, gave me goosebumps.
I’m proud to be Irish, hearing stories like that.
And you know how Mom probably took it - it broke her heart, but they died fighting with each other for a land that hated their guts to start, but embraced them later.
Love the shamrock on the stack. I have a shamrock hat I wear everywhere.
I slip my little sailboat across the harbor from the Sullivans in Buffalo NY. When returning to port, I usually take passengers along side Sullivans, for a perspective on relative size of our vessels. Most are impressed by the magnitude of the old iron boat. More so, after telling the story of the Sullivan brothers service and their sacrifice. They don’t make ‘em like that any more.
Non sibi sed patriae!
Fortunately, his amazing story was recorded for posterity: http://www.ussatlanta.com/stories/Juneasstoryfay.htm
You will weep, witness miracles, share his joy with the help he received from natives and be amazed at the courage and grit of this All-American hero. I think his story is worth the read.
An aside: He makes mention of looking at a photo of his wife in the linked account, before the torpedo hit; as a child, I recall him saying, that for some reason he uncharacteristically put his wallet in his shirt pocket. After the explosion and fire, his pants were blow away, and he would have lost his wallet; but as fate would have it, part of his shirt with his wallet remained.
Lue C. Hartney & Joseph Patrick Francis Hartney Sea2c Nov 1941
God Bless you Uncle Joe. Wherever you are.
FYI: The high school is named for Nile C. Kinnick, 1939 Heisman Trophy winner, naval aviator in WWII, lost in a training flight on 2 June 1943. Mark Hamill [of Star Wars fame] is an alumnus ...
The Sullivan "Missing in Action" poster has always had prominent placement.
