The Sullivan Brothers - One Family’s Ultimate Sacrifice

The Sullivan brothers—George, Francis, Joseph, Madison, and Albert—were five siblings from Waterloo, Iowa, who served together in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Their tragic story is one of the most well-known examples of the personal cost of war. The brothers insisted on serving together, despite regulations discouraging family members from serving in the same unit. They were all assigned to the light cruiser USS Juneau.
On November 13, 1942, during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, the Juneau was struck by a Japanese torpedo and severely damaged. While the ship attempted to retreat for repairs, it was hit by another torpedo, causing a massive explosion that sank it. Of the nearly 700 crew members on board, most perished immediately or drifted in shark-infested waters. After eight days, only 10 survivors were rescued.
All five Sullivan brothers were killed as a result of the sinking. It is believed that three of the brothers—Joseph, Francis, and Madison—died instantly. The remaining two, George and Albert, reportedly survived the initial explosion but succumbed to injuries, exposure, or drowning before rescue teams could reach them. Some reports suggest George refused to leave the wreckage area, hoping to find his brothers.