In Regards To A Rumor Going Around That My Five Sons Were Killed In Action

Letter From Mrs. Sullivan To The Navy

Even though the 5 Sullivan brothers were killed in action in November 1942, their parents still had not been informed two months later. Here's an excerpt from Daniel Sullivan's terrific page, The Sullivan Brothers of Waterloo, Iowa:

Security required that the Navy not reveal the loss of the Juneau or the other ships so as not to provide information to the enemy. Letters from their sons stopped arriving at the Sullivan home and the parents’ anguish began as they awaited word. One of the survivors of the Juneau wrote to Tom and Alleta, but they still clung to the hope that their sons, or at least one of them, survived. Soon an outpouring of sympathy ensued. The “Fighting Sullivan Brothers” were national heros. President Franklin Roosevelt sent a letter of condolence to Tom and Alleta. Pope Pius XII sent a silver religious medal and rosary with his message of regret. The Iowa Senate and House adopted a formal resolution of tribute to the Sullivan brothers.

Thomas and Alleta Sullivan, in spite of the intense pain of losing their five sons all at once, made speaking appearances at war plants and ship yards in behalf of the war effort. They hoped that they could help prevent the loss of other American boys. Their daughter, Genevive, often accompanied them, until she joined the WAVES on June 14, 1943. In April of that year Mrs. Sullivan christened a new destroyer, U.S.S. The Sullivans, in San Francisco. This ship is moored at Buffalo, New York as a memorial to the five brothers. Today there is a park and playground where the Sullivan house once stood. To prevent a tragedy of this magnitude from happening again, Congress passed the Sullivan Law, which would prevent brothers from serving on the same ship.

And via the Waterloo Public Library, more information about the Sullivan Law from the US Navy:

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.

Reference to a "Sullivan Act" in connection with family members serving in the same ship/unit is a popular misconception. The Sullivan Law of 29 May 1911 is a New York State Law 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.

I'm not sure what I'm more amazed by, the fact that Mrs. Sullivan had to endure rumors that her five sons had been killed, or that there really is no Sullivan Law. (via Reasoned Audacity and Florida Cracker).

Comments

[Pete Fanning]

Ah yes, the famous fighting Sullivans....

I remember the movie too with Anne Baxter as Katherine Sullivan...and the second DDG that was commissioned in their honor is in service and the website is here:

http://www.sullivans.navy.mil/ddg68.html

[Judy]

I couldn't resist leaving this note, Since I was a youngster, I've heard of the Sullivan brothers and their life story. I have sought out pictures of them when I was younger and years ago , when the book came out on the Juneau, I purchased it. God bless this wonderful family. Thank you for your many sacrifices. We truly love you all!

[~*~ Jennifer ~*~]

Interesting. Today at a memorial service someone read Mrs. Sullivan's original letter and the presidents response to her. Seeing that we live in Iowa.. it makes it seem more real. On the way home I mentioned to the children the "LAW" that all brothers can no longer serve in the military... one must stay at home. Apparently snoopes wasn't in action when I was a child... learning my history.

That IS a shame there isn't such a law. Perhaps not, maybe we can just learn from Mrs. Sullivan's experience if we choose, or we can choose to act as the Sullivan family did by sacrificing all, if we choose. Great education today. Thank you.

[~*~ Jennifer ~*~]

wow... snopes.com is a great thing.

http://www.snopes.com/military/onlyson.asp