Sullivan Brothers (Family)

The five Sullivan brothers were World War II sailors who, serving together on the light cruiser USS Juneau, were all killed in action on its sinking around November 13, 1942. The five brothers, the sons of Thomas (1883–1965) and Alleta Sullivan (1895–1972) of Waterloo, Iowa, were: George Thomas Sullivan, 27 (born December 14, 1914), Gunner's Mate Second Class (George had been previously discharged in May 1941 as Gunner's Mate Third Class.), Francis Henry "Frank" Sullivan, 26 (born February 18, 1916), Coxswain (Frank had been previously discharged in May 1941 as Seaman First Class.), Joseph Eugene "Joe" Sullivan, 24 (born August 28, 1918), Seaman Second Class Madison Abel "Matt" Sullivan, 23 (born November 8, 1919), Seaman Second Class, and Albert Leo "Al" Sullivan, 20 (born July 8, 1922), Seaman Second Class. As a direct result of the Sullivans' deaths (and the deaths of four of the Borgstrom brothers within a few months of each other two years later), the U.S. War Department adopted the Sole Survivor Policy.