The FReeper Foxhole Revisits The USS Juneau and the Sullivan Brothers - June 19th, 2004

http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq72-2.htm ^

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Honoring the Sullivan Brothers



News of the deaths of all five brothers became a rallying point for the war effort, with posters and speeches honoring their sacrifice. Extensive newspaper and radio coverage of the incident made the loss of the brothers a national story, producing "a wave of humility and sympathy..." and condolences poured in on the Sullivan family in Waterloo, Iowa. One woman told the Associated Press, "And now I wonder how the sugar and coffee hoarders feel." War bond drives and other patriotic campaigns culminated in the 1944 movie, "The Sullivans."



USS THE SULLIVANS (DD-537)

Their sister Genevieve enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve as a Specialist (Recruiter) Third Class and, with her parents, visited more than two hundred manufacturing plants and shipyards under the auspices of the Industrial Incentive Division, Executive Office of the Secretary, Navy Department. According to a 9 February 1943 Navy Department Press Release, the Sullivans "...visited war production plants urging employees to work harder to produce weapons for the Navy so that the war may come to an end sooner." By January 1944, the three surviving Sullivans had spoken to over a million workers in sixty-five cities and reached millions of others over the radio.



USS The Sullivans (DDG 68)

To honor the five Sullivan brothers, the Navy has named two destroyers, USS The Sullivans. On 10 February 1943, the Navy officially canceled the name Putnam (DD-537) and assigned the name The Sullivans to a destroyer under construction. Sponsored by Mrs. Alleta Sullivan, mother of the five Sullivan brothers, and commissioned 30 September 1943, The Sullivans served the Navy until final decommissioning on 7 January 1965. In 1977, the destroyer was donated to the city of Buffalo, New York, as a memorial in the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Servicemen's Park. The second The Sullivans (DDG-68) was laid down on 14 June 1993 at Bath, Maine, by Bath Iron Works Co. and launched on 12 August 1995 sponsored by Kelly Sullivan Loughren, granddaughter of Albert Leo Sullivan. Commissioned on 19 April 1997 at Staten Island, New York under the command of Commander Gerard D. Roncolato, the motto of the ship is "We Stick Together."

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Today's Educational Sources and suggestions for further reading:

The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The USS Juneau and the Sullivan Brothers - Feb. 5th, 2003
www.history.navy.mil/

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The following letter was sent to Mrs. Sullivan by President Roosevelt when he learned that her five sons were listed as missing in action after the USS Juneau was sunk:

"Dear Mrs. Sullivan:

"The knowledge that your five gallant sons are missing in action, against the enemy, inspired me to write you this personal message. I realize full well there is little I can say to assuage your grief.

"As the Commander in Chief of the Army and the Navy, I want you to know that the entire nation shares your sorrow. I offer you the condolence and gratitude of our country. We, who remain to carry on the fight, must maintain the spirit in the knowledge that such sacrifice is not in vain. The Navy Department has in- formed me of the expressed desire of your sons; George Thomas, Francis Henry, Joseph Eugene, Madison Abel, and Albert Leo, to serve on the same ship. I am sure, that we all take pride in the knowledge that they fought side by side. As one of your sons wrote, `We will make a team together that can't be beat.' It is this spirit which in the end must triumph.

"Last March, you, Mrs. Sullivan, were designated to sponsor a ship of the Navy in recognition of your patriotism and that of your sons. I am to understand that you are, now, even more determined to carry on as sponsorer. This evidence of unselfish- ness and courage serves as a real inspiration for me, as I am sure it will for all Americans. Such acts of fate and fortitude in the face of tragedy convince me of the indomitable spirit and will of our people.

"I send you my deepest sympathy in your hour of trial and pray that in Almighty God you will find a comfort and help that only He can bring.

Very sincerely yours,

"/s/ Franklin D. Roosevelt"

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'Reference to a "Sullivan Act" in connection with family members serving in the same ship/unit is a popular misconception. The Sullivan Law of 25 May 1911 is a New York City ordinance dealing with firearms. Although proposed after the death of the five Sullivan Brothers, no "Sullivan Act" was ever enacted by Congress related to family members serving together. Similarly, no President has ever issued any executive order forbidding assignment of family members to the same ship/unit.'

-- DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

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On Jan. 3, 1942, the five Sullivan brothers of Waterloo came to Des Moines to join the Navy. The brothers are (left to right), Francis, George, Madison, Albert and Eugene.

The Sullivan Brothers: U.S. Navy Policy Regarding Family Members Serving Together at Sea Several misconceptions, common during World War II and after, continue to circulate about the Sullivan brothers and the assignment of family members to U.S. Navy ships.



Following are nine references that describe the U.S. Navy policy toward the assignment of family members to ships since 1942, and one other article that help explain this policy.

Official U.S. Navy Documents:

(1) Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin, 1942; Extract on the assignment of brothers to same ship or station

(2) Bureau of Naval Personnel Circular Letter 345-44, 15 November 1944; Sole-survivor policy

(3) Bureau of Naval Personnel Circular Letter 107-45, 14 April 1945; Sole-survivor policy

(4) Bureau of Naval Personnel Circular Letter 281-45, 28 September 1945; Members of Families Serving in the Same Ship, [Policy after World War II]

(5) Extract from History of Enlisted Personnel Activity, Bureau of Naval Personnel Administrative History, 1946. This summarizes wartime practice with regard to family members serving in same ship/unit, also "sole survivor" policy.

(6) Bureau of Naval Personnel Manual: Chapter 5; Policy on assignment or reassignment of members of the same immediate family, 1966.

(7) Naval Military Personnel Command Press Release , 29 May 1980; on same-unit and sole-survivor policies.

(8) OPNAV Instruction 1300.15, 6 January 1988 [Extract on sole survivors from Office of Chief of Naval Operations instruction]

(9) Naval Military Personnel Manual, NavPers 15560C, 15 August 1991

Unofficial:

(1) Non-Commissioned Officers Association News Brief, 22 October 1990; Sole-survivor policy at time of Desert Shield, 1990.

[snippy_about_it]

FALL IN to the FReeper Foxhole!



Good Saturday Morning Everyone.



If you would like to be added to our ping list, let us know.

[SAMWolf]

You want to see a real tear-jerker, get a copy of The Fighting Sullivans. It's about the brothers growing up.

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LOCATION: At the cruise ship dock on the waterfront area, Juneau, Alaska. PURPOSE: To commemorate the sinking of the U.S.S. Juneau, a light cruiser (CL-52) during WAR II.

DESCRIPTION: Concrete, consisting of a base for a flag pole and three sections with brass plaques. One says U.S.S. JUNEAU and is bordered by two others inscribed with names of the crew who were lost.

INSCRIPTION: At the top of the plaque is an outline of the ship. Just below that is: LEST WE FORGET

The naval Battle of Guadalcanal was as ferocious and decisive any battle of World War II. It was not won cheaply. The night action of Friday the thirteenth, November 1942 was the last day of life for eight ships and hundred of sailors including the U.S.S. Juneau CL52. Juneau was in the thick of the battle until an enemy torpedo knocked her out of action. Retiring from the battle, and enemy submarine took Juneau in her sights and at 11:01 another torpedo found its mark. This Cruiser disintegrated instantaneously and completely. All but 10 of her crew of 700 perished including the five Sullivan brothers.

The two other plaques, one on each side of the middle plaque, are inscribed with names of those who perished on the ship. Each plaque contains the following heading:

U.S.S. Juneau crew Nov. 13, 1942

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[Aeronaut]

Good morning Snippy.

[E.G.C.]

Good morning, Snippy and everyone at the Foxhole.

We're entertaining guests. My sister and her two kids from the city are coming down. Her son is participating in a tennis tournament.

[alfa6]

Off to work Bump for the ol Foxhole.

Last day for the yard sale, weather guessers are saying partly cloudy and about 73degrees. YIPPEEE

Y'all have a good day now, ya here

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

[Samwise]

tragic

[SAMWolf]

Good Morning Aeronaut.

[SAMWolf]

Good Morning E.G.C.

My mom and other two sisters are coming in for a week visit. This will be the first time all the "kids" are together in about 6 years.

[Aeronaut]

Hey Sam.

[SAMWolf]

Last day for the yard sale

Good luck, hope the weather holds out for you.

[SAMWolf]

Morning Samwise.

[GATOR NAVY]

I've went to that monument when I met USS JUNEAU (LPD-10) in Juneau, AK to ride it to Japan prior to our crew swap in 1999.

[Soaring Feather]

Good morning everyone!

[SAMWolf]

Morning Gator Navy.

USS JUNEAU (LPD-10)