Sullivan Brothers Presentation

Hal Burke, a leader in U.S.S. The Sullivans Association for sailors who served on the two Navy ships named for the brothers, shares the story of the five Sullivan brothers, who were World War II sailors of Irish American descent who, despite resistance from the Navy, were granted their wish to "stick together" and were all assigned to the doomed USS Juneau. They were all killed in action shortly after its sinking around November 13, 1942.
The five brothers were George Sullivan, 27, Gunner's Mate Second Class, Francis Sullivan, 26, Coxswain, Joseph Sullivan, 24, Seaman Second Class, Madison Sullivan, 23 ,Seaman Second Class, Albert Sullivan, 20 ,Seaman Second Class
Hollywood made a movie, "The Fighting Sullivans”, based on the brothers and inspired, at least in part, the 1998 film “Saving Private Ryan”. The Sullivans were also briefly mentioned in Saving Private Ryan.
Burke is a Navy veteran who served from 1961-1967. He served on Fletcher Class Destroyers, the USS Prichett DD-561 and the USS The Sullivans DD-537, as well as the Essex Class Aircraft Carrier USS Lake Champlain CVS-39. He shares with his audience the story of the five Sullivan brothers and their historical connection with Alfred Einsenstaedt’s iconic Life magazine photograph of “The Kissing Sailor” in New York’s Times Square on V-J Day.