THEY DID THEIR PART

The five Sullivan brothers, Joseph, Francis, Albert, Madison, and George, were proud of their Waterloo, Iowa, heritage. They were bitter when their boyhood friend William Ball was killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The five brothers, determined to avenge Ball's death, marched together and enlisted in the Navy. They insisted on being allowed to serve together, and the Navy granted their wish. The Sullivans were assigned to the U.S.S. Juneau, a light cruiser that was part of the Task Force which included the aircraft carriers U.S.S. Hornet and U.S.S. Enterprise. On November 13, 1942, the U.S.S. Juneau encountered a Japanese naval force bound for Ironbottom Sound off Guadalcanal to shell American positions on the island. A furious 24 minute battle ensued before a torpedo hit the U.S.S. Juneau leaving it a blazing, sinking wreck. Four of the Sullivans went down in the wreckage. The oldest brother George -- a gunner's mate second class -- survived, but was later fatally attacked by sharks in the waters off Guadalcanal. In honor of the bravery and patriotism of the five brothers, the United States Navy awarded Purple Hearts posthumously to the brothers and named a destroyer U.S.S. The Sullivans. >>>>>>>>>> If you haven't seen the movie: THE FIGHTING SULLIVANS - you should check it out if you can - 1944 very touching >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Tuckahoe1 ... 5-24-09 ...

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American aMErICA sullivans war

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