Waterloo museum honors Sullivan brothers, Iowa vets of all conflicts

Waterloo
The “Lone Sailor” stands outside the Waterloo, Iowa, museum which honors the five Sullivan brothers who died during an attack on their ship during World War II. It’s a replica of the statue located at the Navy Memorial in Washington, DC.

The news no parent wants to hear, “The Navy Department deeply regrets to inform you…” Imagine, being told all of your sons perished in war.

Such was the news that cold January 11th morning in 1943. The Sullivan Brothers – a name that impacted the future of the military – had been classified as “Missing in Action.” Their deaths were confirmed days later. Later, during the war, the US adopted a policy separating relatives during battle, in order to prevent this from happening again. The deaths of four more brothers from another family also contributed to the policy.

The five brothers enlisted together less than a month after the United States had been attacked by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor. They served aboard the same ship – USS Juneau – at the time of their deaths. The ship engaged in battle in November 1942 during the Guadalcanal Campaign. Damaged by a torpedo attack, the ship sank, killing most of the crew, including four of the Sullivan Brothers. About 100 people survived. George Sullivan was among them. Badly wounded, he survived for a few more days in a raft. About 10 people were rescued several days after the attack.

Waterloo, Iowa
A statue at the veterans museum honors the five Sullivan brothers: George, Francis, Joseph, Madison and Albert, who died following a Japanese attack on their ship, the U.S.S. Juneau in 1942.

The Sullivan Brothers became a national phenomenon. A movie was based on them, “The Fighting Sullivans.”

Waterloo, Iowa, honors its fallen brethren with a museum named for them – The Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum. The museum traces the participation of the Hawkeye State in every major military conflict since the Civil War. The $11 million facility opened in 2008.

The museum features a replica of the Sullivan family’s living room. You can imagine the parents and daughter-in-law being asked to sit down on the sofa, as the navy officers take a deep breath to convey their message.

Waterloo, Iowa
A replica of the family’s living room in Waterloo.

The Gold Star flag that hangs in the room’s window is the actual flag from the home.

Waterloo, Iowa
The Gold Star flag was actually displayed at the Sullivan home.

The exhibit features items that belonged to the brothers, such as a Navy hat. Letters for each brother are prominently displayed.

Waterloo, Iowa
Letters for the five brothers are positioned in front of a model of the cruiser, the USS Juneau.

The veterans museum is more than the Sullivans, however. Visitors can learn about the state’s role in several conflicts. Did you know that almost half of Iowa’s male population served in the Union army during the Civil War? That’s about 76,000 men. Sadly, about 13,000 didn’t make it home from battle.

Waterloo, Iowa
Iowans volunteered to serve in the Union Army during the Civil War.

Iowa also offered two specific military units during the Civil War – an African American regiment and the Greybeards (a unit consisting of men older than 45).

Waterloo, Iowa
Iowa had one of the first African American regiments and one of the oldest – Greybreards.

While the Spanish-American War was pretty much over by the time the Iowa National Guard reached The Philippines, several Iowans did see battle during the Philippine Insurgency.

More than 114,000 Iowans served during The Great War (World War I). In the effort to win the “War to end all Wars,” several military members died from diseases that came along with spending so much in trenches.

Waterloo, Iowa
More than 100,000 Iowans served during World War I.

In addition to the men engaging the enemy on the battlefields, women were not far from there, serving as Red Cross nurses. Back home, meanwhile, people bought war bonds to support the effort and gathered supplies, including medical equipment.

Waterloo, Iowa
Women served during World War I as part of the Red Cross.

The United States enjoyed a peaceful period following the end of World War in 1918. That peace was shattered Dec. 7, 1941, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor naval base in Hawaii. Just a little more than 23 years after World War I had ended, the United States was dragged back into war. The United States’ involvement in World War II would last from 1941 until 1945.

Waterloo, Iowa
More than a quarter of a million Iowans served during World War II.

More than 260,000 Iowans served their country during World War II. About 8,400 of them died during the war.

Iowans played a major role in the military stateside. African American officers were trained at Fort Des Moines. WAVES (woman navy members) had a basic training camp at Cedar Falls. Native Americans from the Meskwaki Nation served as “code talkers.” The Native Americans used their traditional language to communicate via radio. The Japanese were unable to break the codes during the Pacific theater campaign.

Shortly after the end of World War II, the world entered into a different type of war – the Cold War. This was a tense period from the later 1940s through the late ‘80s. It ended when the Soviet government and o0ther eastern bloc nations’ totalitarian regimes failed. The West (led the United States and NATO nations) won when the Berlin Wall was torn down by Germans from both sides of the fence – perhaps the greatest symbol of the Fall of Communism in Europe. The wall was built by the Soviets and east German military after World War II, separating east Berlin from the west side.

During the Cold War, the United States encountered two different conflicts. The Korean War (started in 1950) has been called “the Forgotten War,” because the war ended with a cease-fire agreement about three years in, without a formal conclusion. US troops remain in South Korea today.

The Vietnam Conflict brought the United States into a new type of warfare – guerrilla-style. The enemy’s style, ever-changing military policy and a growing unpopularity at home, Vietnam ended after about 13 years of direct US involvement. Veterans had a difficult time adjusting to life at home following the war.

Waterloo, Iowa
The Vietnam conflict challenged American military planning during a guerrilla-based war.

In recent years, efforts have been made to “welcome” the Vietnam vets home. People have recognized the service members’ experiences in a more positive light.

The Grout Museum next door to the veterans museum is playing a role in the healing. “365 & Counting: Iowans in the Vietnam War” looks at Iowans’ experiences during the war. The exhibit – which took its name from an average tour of duty in Vietnam (365 days) – features individual stories and memorabilia.

Almost 115,000 Iowans served during the conflict. About 870 were among the more than 50,000 Americans who died during the war. I found a section of the exhibit featuring dog tags with the names of the casualties very emotional. I had two brothers serve during the war. By the grace of God, they came home to us.

Other exhibits featured a soldier trying to stay dry under a makeshift ten, while a woman back home sits at a kitchen table with letter in hand.

A look at recent US military involvement – the Persian Gulf – offers a different take on the battlefield. It looks at the injuries sustained by the men and women who saw action in the Middle East and Afghanistan. One exhibit features a man mowing his lawn. On second glance, you see his prosthetic leg, replacing the leg he lost during battle.

Waterloo, Iowa
A veteran, having suffered a leg injury during battle, mows his front lawn.

Another display features uniforms worn by the military during the recent military actions.

Waterloo, Iowa
The US has been involved with conflict in the Persian Gulf for much of this century. Before then, the nation was involved with a conflict there during the early 1990s.

The United States has seen its share of battles. Iowans have stepped up to serve their nation during its times of need. What started with a tragedy for the Sullivans has grown into a respectful and wonderful tribute to those who have served. The Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum is a must-see in Waterloo.

For more information on the museum and others in the Waterloo area, please visit www.groutmuseumdistrict.org.