Navy service and sacrifice is family legacy
Jim Sullivan and his daughter, Kelly, hold a photo book made for the family by the Grout Museum District.
Veteran Jim Sullivan of Thalman Square relishes his recollections of active-duty Navy service from 1958-1962. “I’m proud of it. Very proud,” he says.
Al Sullivan is front left next to his wife, Katherine; his mother and father, holding a young Jimmy; and sister Genevieve. Back row, from left, are George, grandmother Mae Abel, Matt, Joe and Frank. (Photo credit: Grout Museum District file 1999.016.062)
But November packs an emotional wallop for him and his family. Just two days after Veterans Day, they’ll observe the 83rd anniversary of the sinking of the USS Juneau during World War II - when his father Albert and four uncles, known as the Five Sullivan Brothers, died.
Little Jimmy was not even two, the only grandchild of Thomas and Alleta Sullivan. The Waterloo family suffered the worst single combat event loss of any military family in U.S. history.
In spite of his family’s immense sacrifice, Jim felt like joining the Navy was something he had to do; he didn’t much like being a student, anyway. “I was supposed to be in school, but I went in the front door and out the back,” he grins. “The school called our house, wondering where I was. I was kind of a pain for my parents.”
Kathleen Sullivan McFarland and her second husband, Dean, sat down their only child and told him it was either school or the service. He eagerly accepted the second choice - which then took a little convincing with Jim’s mother, because he was just 17. He never regretted his decision.
Jim Sullivan during his active-duty years in the Navy.
“I trained at Great Lakes and Mom would stay at the Palmer Hotel in downtown Chicago when she visited me,” he said. “I got to see a lot of places. The Pacific was very pretty, and France, Italy, Guantanamo Bay.”
Jim also learned a trade. He left the Navy as a skilled electrician, working in Texas and Minnesota before returning to Waterloo. The Navy pull was strong, though, so he served in the reserves for six years started in 1985. Jim’s son, John, now lives near Kansas City and his daughter is a Cedar Falls elementary teacher.
Kelly recalls the time in 1977 when she first realized the impact of the family legacy. “I was about five years old, and my parents took us to Buffalo where the first USS Sullivans was being dedicated as a museum after its decommissioning,” she explains. “There were all these reporters asking him questions, with big cameras and bright lights in his face, and so many veterans wanted to shake hands with him and talk. I remember thinking, what is happening?”
Kelly’s grandmother sponsored the first USS Sullivans (DD 537) in 1942; Kelly christened and sponsored the second USS Sullivans (DDG 68) at its commission in 1997. She’s taken on the mantle of family historian and spokesperson, often traveling to the ship and commemorative events.
In May 1942, Matt and Al Sullivan were home for their last stateside leave. Jimmy is sitting on his Uncle Matt’s lap; dad Al is at right, and the brothers’ parents are between them. (Photo credit: Grout Museum District file 1990.039.013)
Jim doesn’t get out as much anymore, but any time sailors will be around, he’s up for it. He and Kelly gave three tours of Waterloo this past summer to sailors from the USS Sullivans (DDG 68).
The ship’s motto is “We Stick Together,” which is what the Sullivan brothers wrote in their letter to the Navy when asking that they be allowed to serve together. Its sailors are still well informed of the Sullivan story and receive encouragement to visit their Iowa hometown.
“I like that. Makes me proud,” Jim says, even though it is bittersweet.
This November, as the family looks back and remembers, they’ll also look ahead. Jim’s first great-grandchild is due in two months. It’s baby boy for Kelly’s daughter, Kelcie Langel, the assistant director of assisted living at Windhaven - the start of the next generation who will grow up to share the story of military service and sacrifice.