![]() ![]() ![]() "The Navy Department deeply regrets to inform you that your sons Albert, Francis, George, Joseph and Madison Sullivan are missing in action in the South Pacific." Commander Jones steeled himself to finish his unenviable task. There was no other way to break this kind of news.Īs the rest of the family gathered in the living room, mother Alleta, sister Genevieve, and Katherine Mary, wife of the youngest of the five Sullivan brothers it was a moment filled with sorrow and grief. It was the saddest, most disagreeable task of his Navy career. Lieutenant Commander Truman Jones swallowed hard. He also knew the news wouldn't be happy news. The Sullivan patriarch knew before they spoke that they were bringing news of his sons. The three men in Naval uniforms had been welcomed inside. He had awakened that morning to prepare for work and, while fixing breakfast, noticed the black sedan arrive. It was early on the morning of January 11, 1943, and Tom was the only one moving about the kitchen of the house at 98 Adams Street in Waterloo, Iowa. "You see," explained George Sullivan, "a buddy of ours was killed in the Pearl Harbor attack, Bill Ball of Fredericksburg, Iowa." "That's where we want to go now, to Pearl Harbor," put in Francis, and the others nodded. All passed their physical exams "with flying colors" and left by train last night for the Great Lakes (Ill.) naval training station. ![]() Five husky Waterloo brothers who lost a "pal" at Pearl Harbor were accepted as Navy recruits yesterday at Des Moines. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |