When the Sullivan brothers went down with their ship during World War Two it marked the first time a United States Navy family lost so many family members at a single time. These 5 brothers of Irish descent served aboard the light cruiser USS Juneau until she was sunk with all 5 losing their lives. It was due to this loss that the US Navy named a destroyer in their honor and what would become the USS The Sullivans DD-537 a destroyer named unlike any other.
The brothers enlisted in 1942 under the stipulation that the must serve together. They would not be separated. Juneau fought in a number of US Navy engagements during the months-long Guadalcanal Campaign providing a variety of support and action beginning in August 1942. Starting on the morning of November 13, 1942, during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, Juneau was struck by a Japanese torpedo fired by a surface ship it is believed and forced to withdraw. Later that day, as it was leaving the Solomon Islands’ area for the Allied rear-area base at Espiritu Santo with other surviving US warships from battle, the USS Juneau was struck again, this time by a torpedo from the Japanese submarine I-26. The torpedo had likely hit the thinly armored light cruiser at or near the ammunition magazines and the ship exploded and quickly sank.
The parents of the Sullivan brothers inquired with the US Navy and their inquiry was finally returned by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on January 13, 1943, who acknowledged that the Sullivans were missing in action, it was by then the parents were already informed of their son’s fates, having learned of their deaths on January 12. That morning, the boys’ father, Tom, was preparing for work when three men in uniform – a lieutenant commander, a doctor and a chief petty officer – approached his door. “I have some news for you about your boys,” the naval officer said. “Which one?” asked Tom? “I’m sorry,” the officer replied. “All five.”
The Sole Survivor Policy
United States Department of Defense Directive 1315.15 “Special Separation Policies for Survivorship” describes a set of regulations in the United States military, partially stipulated by law, that are designed to protect members of a family from the draft during peacetime, or from hazardous duty other circumstances, if they have already lost family members to military service. The USS The Sullivans DD-537 A Destroyer Named Unlike Any Other is one reason the US military changed so many of its policies and why the loss of our men and women in battle also became a tradition for naming future warships after them.
For a fascinating 3D modeling look of the USS The Sullivans DD-537 in action please take a look at the following video.
As part of the US Navy and the historical warships of World War 2 75th anniversary coin collectible set the USS The Sullivans coin is a handsome coin featuring the Fletcher Class destroyer with its guns, and famous motto “We Stick Together.” A timeless piece of United States Navy history this incredibly detailed challenge coin is perfect for the US Navy history and coin collector.
For over 15 years Navy Crow, the challenge Coin Company and makers of original US military art, have created thousands of challenge coins for US military veterans, family and friends. In addition the custom challenge coins they produce have been created for US Navy commands, US Navy submarines, US Navy ships throughout the fleets, FMF Corpsmen and many other US Navy rates, and more. Each coin is a work of art and designed either in conjunction with the military unit or command or at the request of a person wishing to produce a coin for their military retirement and more. US Navy associations from CPOAs, FCPOAs, SCPOAs, and MWR activities reach out to VSC to have their custom coins produced due to the level of artwork they receive.
