Article USS Juneau ... Found

[colin traveller]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/worl...-down-in-pacific/ar-BBKrY3B?OCID=ansmsnnews11


An expedition in the South Pacific ocean funded by Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Paul Allen has discovered the wreckage of a famous US warship that was attacked by the Japanese during the second world war, claiming more than 600 lives.


The billionaire’s personal search team located the remains of the USS Juneau off the coast of the Solomon Islands on St Patrick’s Day.

The Juneau was sunk by Japanese torpedoes in November 1942, claiming the lives of 687 men, including five brothers known as the Sullivans from Waterloo, Iowa. The men became navy heroes and had a destroyer named after them.

Despite naval policy stipulating that siblings could not serve in the same military unit, brothers George, Francis, Joseph, Madison and Albert refused to serve in the navy unless they were posted to the same unit.

The ship, known as an Atlanta-class light cruiser was found more than 4,000 meters below the surface, resting on the floor of the ocean.

“We certainly didn’t plan to find the Juneau on St. Patrick’s Day. The variables of these searches are just too great,” said Robert Kraft, director of subsea operations for Allen.

“We’re dealing with an environment out here that is very harsh ... It’s thousands of meters deep and it’s very unpredictable. We’re putting, you know, a lot of electronics and high voltage down in very deep waters and sea waters where it shouldn’t belong, and so that always presents challenges.”

An autonomous underwater vehicle dispatched by Allen’s expedition ship the Petrel confirmed the wreckage was indeed the Juneau, after video recorded by the underwater vehicle was analyzed by experts on board the Petrel.

“As the fifth commanding officer of USS The Sullivans (DDG 68), a ship named after five brothers, I am excited to hear that Allen and his team were able to locate the light cruiser USS Juneau that sunk during the Battle of Guadalcanal,” said Vice Adm. Rich Brown, commander, Naval Surface Forces.

“The story of the USS Juneau crew and Sullivan brothers epitomize the service and sacrifice of our nation’s greatest generation.”

According to information from Paul Allen the USS Juneau was only active for a year prior to its sinking. The November 1942 battle was short and brutal, and the ship split in two under torpedo fire, killing most of the men onboard immediately.

The Juneau sank very quickly — reportedly within 30 seconds — and despite there being approximately 115 survivors, a serious rescue effort was not initiated for several days, by which time only ten men were rescued from the disaster.

 

[bdpopeye]

Thanks for posting!..If any of you don't know who the five Sullivan brothers are...

THE FIVE SULLIVAN BROTHERS

The death of the five Sullivan brothers was impossible to imagine. So horrible it forced the U.S. War department to adopt “The Sole Survivor Policy” so it would never happen again. Can anyone even think of the heartache that the Sullivan family suffered? How much sorrow can a family take?

The brothers on board Juneau; from left to right: Joseph, Francis, Albert, Madison and George Sullivan.
The Sullivan brothers were five siblings who all died during the same incident in World War II, the sinking of the light cruiser USS Juneau (CL-52), the vessel on which they all served.

The Sullivans were natives of Waterloo, Iowa.(45 miles north of Cedar Rapids IA)
They were:

George Thomas Sullivan, 27, Gunner’s Mate Second Class

Francis "Frank" Henry Sullivan, 25, Coxswain

Joseph "Joe" Eugene Sullivan, 23, Seaman Second Class

Madison "Matt" Abel Sullivan, 22, Seaman Second Class

Albert "Al" Leo Sullivan, 19, Seaman Second Class

The Sullivans enlisted on January 3, 1942 with the stipulation that they serve together. The Navy had a policy of separating siblings, but this was not strictly enforced. George and Frank had served in the Navy before but their brothers had not

The Juneau fought in a number of naval engagements during the months-long Battle of Guadalcanal. On November 13, 1942, during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, the Juneau was struck by a torpedo and had to withdraw. Later that day, as it was leaving the Solomon Islands' area, the Juneau was struck again, this time from a torpedo from Japanese submarine I-26. The ship quickly sank and rescue efforts were not forthcoming due to fears about the Japanese naval presence. Eight days later ten survivors were retrieved from the water. The survivors reported that Frank, Joe, and Matt died instantly, Al drowned the next day, and George survived for four or five days.

 

[bdpopeye]

Shield: The dark blue and gold represent the sea and excellence. They are also the Navy's tradition colors. Red is emblematic of courage and sacrifice. The five interlaced swords honor the five Sullivan brothers killed in action during WW II and commemorate their spirit of teamwork and patriotism. The upright points of the swords allude to the present ship's combat readiness and its missile system. The border reflects unity and the eleven stars represent the battle stars earned by the first USS THE SULLIVANS; nine for WW II and two for the Korean War. Crest: The trident, symbol of sea prowess, symbolizes DDG 68's modern warfare capabilities; the AEGIS and vertical launch system. The fireball underscores the fierce battle of Guadalcanal where the five brothers courageously fought and died together and highlights its firepower of the past and present USS THE SULLIVANS. The inverted wreath, a traditional symbol of the ultimate sacrifice, is in memory of the Sullivan brothers. The shamrock recalls the Irish heritage. The arms are blazoned in full color upon a white oval enclosed by a dark blue collar edged on the outside with a gold rope and bearing the name "USS THE SULLIVANS" at the top and "DDG 68" in the base in gold.

 

[colin traveller]

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