History's Mysteries Season 3 Episode 8 The True Story of the Fighting Sullivans

The True Story of the Fighting Sullivans is the eighth episode of the third season of the documentary series History's Mysteries. In this episode, the series explores the tragic and heroic story of the five Sullivan brothers who bravely served their country during World War II.

The Sullivans were a close-knit family of five brothers who grew up in Waterloo, Iowa during the Great Depression. They were all extremely patriotic and had already been volunteering for various military activities before the US entered World War II. When their country called upon them to serve, they all enlisted in the Navy on the condition that they be allowed to serve together on the same ship.

The five brothers, George, Frank, Joe, Matt, and Al, were assigned to the USS Juneau, a light cruiser that was part of the US naval force fighting in the Pacific against Japan. In November 1942, the Juneau was hit by a torpedo fired by a Japanese submarine and quickly sank. Out of the 697 crew members on board, only 10 survived, and the five Sullivan brothers were among the lost.

The tragedy of the Sullivan brothers made headlines across the United States and became a symbol of sacrifice and heroism during the war. Their deaths also led to changes in the Navy's policy on allowing siblings to serve together in the same unit.

The episode uses archival footage and interviews with historians and experts to examine the personal and historical significance of the Sullivan brothers' story. It also follows the efforts of researchers, divers, and scientists to locate the wreckage of the USS Juneau and bring closure to the families of the lost crew members.

Through the emotional and compelling narrative of The True Story of the Fighting Sullivans, viewers gain a greater understanding of the human cost of war and the importance of family, sacrifice, and honor in times of crisis.