The Irish Pride of the Sullivan Brothers

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 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 sacrifices are not in vain. The Navy Department has informed 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 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 a sponsorer. This evidence of unselfishness 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 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,

Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The words were from a letter that Mrs. Alleta Sullivan received from President Roosevelt, when it was confirmed that all five of her sons were missing in action after the sinking of the USS Juneau during the Battle of Guadalcanal in November 1942. While most aboard the Juneau perished, a few remained alive including the eldest Sullivan brother George, who would later die at sea. The last remaining survivors lived through of a horrific ordeal of exhaustion, heat, sharks, hunger and thirst.

The Sullivan brothers came from an Irish-Catholic family in Waterloo, Iowa. Their father Thomas worked for the Illinois Central Railroad. Their grandfather was born in Ireland. When World War II started, the brothers immediately had the desire to enlist after hearing of the death of a friend. They requested that they serve together in the Navy. Although it was Navy policy to keep family members separate, the brothers’ persistence allowed their request to be accepted. As lucky as it would seem that they would be together, fate thought otherwise and they all perished in the war. The brothers were posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal, the American Defense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four engagement stars, World War II Victory Medal and Good Conduct Medal. They are remembered in memoriam at Arlington National Cemetery.

Questions have always surfaced in regards to a “Sullivan Act” which was proposed to prevent family members from serving in the same military unit or ship since the loss of the Sullivan Brothers in World War II. Many military policies are in place that discourage family members from serving together.

It is no coincidence that I write about these remarkable brothers as we approach St. Patrick’s Day. Please do me a favor, if you are wear something green on March 17, I hope it reminds you of five Irish brothers who took their Irish pride and served the Navy proudly. Some might consider them unlucky. I think just the opposite, how lucky we were that these brothers were willing to sacrifice so much for their country as many brothers did during World War II. And today, brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers continue to serve and sacrifice in defense of our country. This is dedicated to military families from every war that has had to endure the heartbreak of receiving their letters.

Donna Teresa can be reached at [email protected].

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