Today, Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-01) spoke on the House Floor to honor the five Sullivan brothers of Waterloo as well as those who are working to preserve their legacy by repairing the USS The Sullivans.
“M. Speaker,
“I rise today to honor the five Sullivan brothers of Waterloo, as well as those who are working to preserve their legacy by saving the USS The Sullivans.
“On January 3, 1942, a month after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, George, Frank, Joe, Matt, and Al Sullivan, of Waterloo, Iowa, enlisted in the Navy.
“At the time, Navy policy separated brothers, but they enlisted under the condition that they could serve their country together. And they did, until November of that year when a Japanese torpedo sunk their ship—the USS Juneau.
“Nearly all of the sailors aboard the USS Juneau died, including all five of the Sullivan brothers. The Sullivans weren’t just heroes in Iowa, their story was told nationwide. In 1943, less than three months after their passing, a Fletcher-class destroyer was named in their honor.
“The ship’s motto is: “We stick together,” a permanent symbol of the Sullivan brothers’ commitment to each other and to our country. Earlier this month, a leaky hull caused the ship to start sinking at its berth in the Buffalo Naval Park.
“M. Speaker, I rise today to thank those who are working to refloat and repair the ship and ensure that the Sullivans’ legacy endures. Their service and sacrifice are emblematic of the shared experience and patriotism of those in the Greatest Generation.
“Freedom is fragile. We must always honor those, like the Sullivan brothers of Waterloo, who fought and died for our freedoms and for our country.”
