Details
[WORLD WAR II, SULLIVAN BROTHERS]. A collection of 8 letters, 2 photographs and a typewritten program for the "Sullivan Brothers Dedication Ceremonies," all relating to a special service, 12 June 1952, honoring the five Sullivan Brothers, lost in the sinking of the U.S.S. Juneau off Guadalcanal in World War II. e deaths of these brothers became celebrated in the national media and was the subject of a feature film, making them a potent symbol of American committment to the war effort. After the war, at the instigation of Senator Guy Gillette of Iowa, a special memorial service was held, in Washington on the Capitol grounds. A Navy Chaplain intoned a prayer, a navy firing squad fired a volley, a bugler played "Taps," and five flowering cherry trees were planted. The present archive contains letters addressed to the parents of the brothers and to Senator Gillette.
CONTENTS:
NIMITZ, Chester W. Fleet Admiral, USN. Autograph letter signed to Mr. & Mrs. Sullivan, 2 June 1952. 2 full pages. "...I can think of no more fitting memorial...than the five purple flowering crabapple trees...as a permanent reminder of your five sons...The prompt response of your five sons to the call to the Colors in World War II...is reminiscent of the similar patriotism of the five O'Brian boys in the first naval action in our history..." Nimitz recounts the incident, in Machias harbor, in April 1775, at length, and adds: "I hope your sorrow will be lessened...that their country is grateful for their service..." -- HALSEY, William F. ("Bull"), Admiral, USN. Typed letter signed to Gillette, 26 May 1952. "I was Commander of the South Pacific at the time the U.S.S. Juneau was lost and, of course, I feel the loss of the ship and its five fine men very keenly. I do not know of any case in the history of the navy where five brothers have all gone down to heroic deaths the way these men did..." -- Six other letters regarding the Sullivan commemoration, including one from Fleet Admiral WILLIAM D. LEAHY, and other Naval figures and 2 Photographs of the ceremony. (11)
CONTENTS:
NIMITZ, Chester W. Fleet Admiral, USN. Autograph letter signed to Mr. & Mrs. Sullivan, 2 June 1952. 2 full pages. "...I can think of no more fitting memorial...than the five purple flowering crabapple trees...as a permanent reminder of your five sons...The prompt response of your five sons to the call to the Colors in World War II...is reminiscent of the similar patriotism of the five O'Brian boys in the first naval action in our history..." Nimitz recounts the incident, in Machias harbor, in April 1775, at length, and adds: "I hope your sorrow will be lessened...that their country is grateful for their service..." -- HALSEY, William F. ("Bull"), Admiral, USN. Typed letter signed to Gillette, 26 May 1952. "I was Commander of the South Pacific at the time the U.S.S. Juneau was lost and, of course, I feel the loss of the ship and its five fine men very keenly. I do not know of any case in the history of the navy where five brothers have all gone down to heroic deaths the way these men did..." -- Six other letters regarding the Sullivan commemoration, including one from Fleet Admiral WILLIAM D. LEAHY, and other Naval figures and 2 Photographs of the ceremony. (11)