USS The Sullivans

Two ships of the United States Navy have borne the name USS The Sullivans, named in honor of the five Sullivan brothers who lost their lives when their ship, USS Juneau (CL-52), was sunk in November 1942. This was the greatest loss by any one family during World War II.


 * The first, USS The Sullivans (DD-537), was a Fletcher-class destroyer, launched in 1943. In 1977, she was processed for donation to the city of Buffalo, N.Y., where she now serves as a memorial. The Niland brothers family, which endured the second greatest loss by any one family during the war (made famous by the loosely adapted film Saving Private Ryan), was from the Buffalo suburb of Tonawanda, New York and their similar loss to the Sullivan family played a role in the decision to place The Sullivans as a museum ship in Buffalo instead of elsewhere.


 * The second, USS The Sullivans (DDG-68), is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, launched in 1995. As of 2012, she is still active in service.