As Americans commemorate this Veterans Day, they take the time to thank veterans for their service. Businesses offer specials. Cities have parades. Active duty members take the time to remember those veterans that paved the way for them to serve and to honor this nation. Veterans Day pays homage to those that have served and we say “thank you for your service.” It is day to reflect on the purpose of service and what it means to put service before self. Five brothers from Waterloo, Iowa proved this loyalty to their country.
According to the Naval History and Heritage Command, brothers, Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class George Sullivan, Coxswain Francis Sullivan, Seaman 2nd Class Joseph Sullivan, Seaman 2nd Class Madison Sullivan, and Seaman 2nd Class Albert Sullivan, born to Thomas and Alleta, from Waterloo, Iowa enlisted in the Navy on Jan. 3, 1942. Even though the Navy had a policy stating that family members should not serve aboard the same ship or station, the brothers were allowed to serve together aboard USS Juneau (CL-52).
On the night of Nov. 13, 1942, Japanese submarine I-26 torpedoed the USS Juneau (CL-52) which caused the ship to explode and sank instantly according to the Naval History and Heritage Command website. Many Sailors were killed during the initial explosion, including four of the five Sullivan brothers. One brother, George, survived the explosion but died several days later.
The brothers were survived by their parents and their sister, Genevieve. Albert Sullivan was also survived by his wife, Katherine, and their young son. Their family did not allow the brothers’ death to be in vain. Despite their sons’ deaths, Thomas and Alleta did their part during the war by promoting war bonds. Their sister served in Women Available for Volunteer Emergency Service or WAVES.
The Sullivan brothers memory lives on to this day. Since their death, two destroyers have been named in memory of their service. According to the Naval History and Heritage Command, Fletcher-class-destroyer USS The Sullivans (DD-537) was commissioned in 1943 and sponsored by their mother, Alleta. The Sullivans was decommissioned in 1965 and serves as a museum at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park in Buffalo, New York. Arleigh Burke class destroyer USS The Sullivans (DDG-68) was commissioned in 1997. Seaman 2nd Class Albert Sullivan’s granddaughter, Kelly Sullivan Loughren, christend the ship at its commissioning ceremony, according to the naval history website. It is still in service today. Each destroyer bears the motto: “We stick together.”
Let us remember that we stick together for the greater cause of defending our nation.