I was surfing this internet today, and stumbled across an announcement that a commemorative DVD of "The Fighting Sullivans" is scheduled to be released in June. Now, this is a great movie from the 1940's starring Anne Baxter, Thomas Mitchell and Ward Bond, among others.

This movie was made at a time when Hollywood notables were patriotic Americans who seldom hesitated to express support of their country. Times have certainly changed, a topic which I'll pass on until another day, for the betterment of my blood pressure. Needless to say, they had a bit of class back then.

This was a war film, based on the lives of the five Sullivan Brothers from Waterloo, Iowa. It's really a sad story, and one that I could never really do justice to in this short space.

It was after the attack on Pearl Harbor that the five brothers enlisted in the Navy.  The two oldest brothers had already been Honorably Discharged for previous service, but re-enlisted.  The five of them had insisted that they be allowed to serve together on the same ship,  which request was granted by the US Navy, and on January 3, 1942, the five brothers officially enlisted in the US Navy Reserve.

It was just over 10 months later that the five brothers, aboard the USS Juneau, were involved in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal.  The Juneau had taken a torpedo hit near the Solomon Islands and, on 13 November 1942,  sunk south of San Cristobal Island.

Four of the brothers were lost with the ship.  The eldest, George Thomas Sullivan,  was one of 115 survivors to make it to a life raft.   There was no immediate rescue, however, and George succumbed at sea.   Of the Juneau's entire crew, only 10 were rescued alive.

Here's a photograph of the five Sullivan brothers.  From left to right are:

Joseph, Francis, Albert, Madison and George Sullivan.

The tragic loss of the Sullivans recieved major publicity in the USA.  Their parents continued to support the war effort with guest appearances at war bond rallies and defense plants.  After  the incident, the US Navy changed it's policy to prevent siblings from serving together. 

Today's society doesn't know the meaning of sacrifice.

If you ever get the chance, try to rent a copy of "The Fighting Sullivans".  If you're not into old movies, rent it anyway.  It might not have all the stunning special effects; high definition graphics and foul-mouthed actresses of today's Hollywood, but it's a piece of history worth knowing… and remembering.

Phineous Zivick Huntington
April 14, 2007

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