Classic Movies - American War Heroes: Sullivans

We would like to conclude our veterans honors week by paying tribute to an entire family of five brothers who, during WW II, gave the ultimate sacrifice--their lives. They became national heroes through this sacrifice. This post is in remembrance of those who bravely fought and/or died for our freedom.

The War Heroes Classic Movie we would like to review today is The Fighting Sullivans (1944). This film was based on a true story about five brothers from Waterloo, Iowa, who grew up in a close-knit family, and served in the U.S. Navy during WW II. It chronicled the brothers' childhoods, their mischief, loyalty to each other, romances, and their decision to join up together after the tragic news of Pearl Harbor. The film resonated with a war-weary nation, a reminder of the values for which American troops were fighting.

In November of 1942, the Sullivan brothers were all serving aboard the cruiser U.S.S. Juneau in the Pacific when the ship was torpedoed by the Japanese during the battle of Guadalcanal. The brothers, who had received special permission to serve aboard the same ship, were all killed. The family's tragedy captured the public imagination, and by March of 1943, Twentieth Century Fox revealed that they would make a film about the Sullivan brothers. The film was originally titled The Sullivans (the name was later changed to boost the box office results). In spite of its finale, The Fighting Sullivans is not considered a war film. The brothers' military service took up just a few minutes at the end of the film. As Bosley Crowther wrote in his New York Times review, "It is a story of typical Americans, with love of home and love of family at its core....This is a story of why the Sullivans fought, not how."

The Fighting Sullivans was made with the cooperation of both the Sullivan family and the U.S. Navy. The parents, sister, and Al's widow all watched parts of the filming, and served as technical advisors. Their participation assured that the film was mostly true to the facts, evidently one incident was not. In the film, the officer who signed up the brothers personally delivers the bad news to the family. In reality, the boys’ father, Thomas, was preparing to go to work when the parents were notified of their deaths. Three men in uniform a lieutenant commander, a doctor and a chief petty officer, approached their front door on January 12, 1943, two months after the incident. "I have some news for you about your boys," the naval officer said. "Which one?" asked Thomas. "I'm sorry," the officer replied. "All five." The climactic scene of the Juneau's sinking was shot on the first anniversary of the actual event.

After the deaths of the Sullivan brothers, the Navy declared that family members could not serve on the same ship during wartime. The “Fighting Sullivan Brothers” were national heroes. President Franklin Roosevelt sent a letter of condolence to the parents, Tom and Alleta. The Iowa Senate and House adopted a formal resolution of tribute to the Sullivan brothers. The Sullivan parents traveled at length making speaking appearances at war plants and shipyards on behalf of the war effort. Mrs. Sullivan christened a destroyer named USS The Sullivans after her sons on April 4, 1943. (Al's granddaughter christened another ship named after them twenty-three years later.)

In remembrance of all the soldiers who fought and died for the freedom of the United States, we have dedicated our blog this week. We hope and pray that our country will continue to have the freedoms that have cost our country and our families so dearly. May we never forget the sacrifices our servicemen and women made and still make to protect the love of home and family. We salute the American soldier: U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marines, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Coast Guard. Thank you for making us safe.

**Trivia Question for Today: The Sullivan brothers also had one sister. What was her name?

Trivia Answer from Previous Post: Audie Murphy’s first starring role was in the movie Bad Boy (1949). His character name was Danny Lester.

Classic Movies - American War Heroes: Audie Murphy

We would like to continue honoring our veterans this week to show our appreciation of the sacrifices they have made and are still making for our country. Here is another poem we found that we would like to share in remembrance of those who bravely fought and/or died for our freedom.

Heroes
By Jared Jenkins

In war, there are lives risked and lives taken
Men and women giving their best to defend what they love
They defend their country
Their honor
Their people

Some call them soldiers
Others call them heroes

Our veterans have risked their lives for us
They have lived through hell and fought with honor
Many have killed
And regret doing so

For every life, there is a soul
For every soul, there is a life
For those who have died, we show great appreciation and remembrance
For those who live, along with them live the horrific memories of battle
Some, memories of defeat
Some, memories of victory

Our veterans were more than soldiers
They were, and still are heroes

This week, let's talk Classic Movies of American War Heroes! Our last blog post featured Sgt. Alvin York, a WW I American hero who saved lives throughout his time serving our country. The American war hero classic movie that we are featuring today is one in which Second Lt. Audie Murphy, a WW II American hero, plays “himself” in Universal’s To Hell and Back (1955). Based on the star's autobiography, this is the story of how Audie Murphy became America's most-decorated soldier during WW II. After dwelling a bit on Murphy's impoverished Texas upbringing, the story moves ahead to 1942, when, at 17, Audie Murphy joined the army. Within a year, he was a member of the 7th Army, serving in North Africa, Italy, France and ultimately Germany and Austria. One by one, the members of Murphy's Company B are killed in the war, until only three men from the original company are left (the others appear at the finale as ghostly images, a standard visual cliché of 1950s war films). The bulk of the film is given over to Murphy's conspicuous acts of combat bravery, and his killing of 240 enemy soldiers. Highlighted by excellent battle sequences, To Hell and Back is a serviceable tribute to Audie Murphy, a most complex individual.

Second Lt. Audie Murphy’s enlistment details: After the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Murphy tried to enlist in the military, but the services rejected him for being under age. In June 1942, shortly after his 17th birthday, his sister Corrine adjusted his birth date so he appeared to be 18 and legally allowed to enlist, and his war memoirs, To Hell and Back, maintained this misinformation, leading to later confusion and contradictory statements as to his year of birth. Murphy was accepted into the United States Army, at Greenville, after being turned down by the Marines and the paratroopers for being too short (5 feet 5.5 inches) and of slight build. He was also turned down by the Navy for being slight of build. He was sent to Camp Wolters, Texas, for basic training and during a session of close order drill, passed out. His company commander tried to have him transferred to a cook and bakers' school because of his baby-faced youthfulness, but Murphy insisted on becoming a combat soldier. His wish was granted: after 13 weeks of basic training, he was sent to Fort Meade, Maryland for advanced infantry training.

Second Lt. Audie Murphy was the most decorated American soldier of World War II. He received the Medal of Honor, the U.S. military's highest award for valor, along with 32 additional U.S. and foreign medals and citations, including five from France and one from Belgium.

Murphy was a celebrated movie star for many years in the post-war era, appearing in 44 films. He also found some success as a country music composer. He died in a plane crash May 28, 1971 and was interred, with full military honors, in Arlington National Cemetery. Audie Murphy's grave site is the second-most visited grave at Arlington, after that of President John F. Kennedy.

**Trivia Question for Today: What movie did Audie Murphy have his first starring role? Who was his character in that movie?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: When shooting at enemy soldiers, the trick Sgt. York used to coax them out in the open was to gobble like a turkey. This “turkey tactic” worked for the turkey shoot, likewise it worked for enemy soldiers to arouse curiosity. Just like the turkeys, the soldiers would raise themselves up from the safety of their barricades to give Alvin a clear shot.

Classic Movies - American War Heroes: Alvin York

We would like to honor our veterans on Memorial Day. Here is a poem we found that we would like to share in remembrance of those who bravely fought and/or died for our freedom.

A National Moment of Remembrance On Memorial Day

by Del “Abe” Jones 4-25-2005

That poem about where “poppies blow”

And, “the crosses, row on row”

Still rings true, these ninety years

After written, still brings tears.

We still have Dead, “amid the guns”

And lose our young and our loved ones

Those who lived, “short days ago”

Who, “felt dawn, saw sunset glow”.

In Flanders Fields, “the poppy red”

Still grow near where the blood was bled

They, “Take up our quarrel with the foe”

And still die for Freedoms that we know.

They pass, “The torch” to, “hold it high”

And not, “break the faith with us who die”

For they, “shall not sleep, though poppies grow”

Beneath all those, “crosses, row on row”

In Flanders Fields.

This week, let's talk Classic Movies of American War Heroes! There are three movies we would like to share that were made about actual American war heroes from WW I and WW II: Sergeant York (1941), Sgt. Alvin York, a WW I war hero portrayed by Gary Cooper; To Hell and Back (1955), Second Lt. Audie Murphy, a WW II war hero, starring Audie Murphy as himself; and The Fighting Sullivans (1944), George, Frank, Joe, Matt, and Al - five brothers who grew up together and all joined the Navy during WW II.

The American war hero classic movie that we are featuring today is one in which Gary Cooper played a real American hero of World War I. It also captured for him the first of his two best actor “Oscars”. Of course, that film is Sergeant York (1941), with Joan Leslie and Walter Brennan. As the hillbilly sharpshooter from Tennessee who became one of the most decorated heroes of “The Great War”, Gary Cooper was a perfect fit for the title character. He was, in fact, the only actor the real Sgt. Alvin York (who had to give his consent) would even consider for the role. We think you’ll agree that Gary Cooper is wonderful to watch as his character transforms from drunken rowdy to converted Christian and from “conscientious objector” to war hero. 'Alvin York' declares throughout the movie, “The Lord sure does move in mysterious ways”, a statement that rings true time and again in the extraordinary biographical story of Sergeant York. We love this film and think you will, too.

We hope you enjoy the Sgt. Alvin York Tribute. He was a true American hero who risked his life for the safety of the men around him, and for the freedoms we all still enjoy over ninety years later.

**Trivia Question for Today: When shooting at enemy soldiers, what trick did Sgt. York use to coax them out in the open?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: Katharine Hepburn was nominated for an Academy Award for best actress 12 times in her career. The other film she made with Cary Grant was Sylvia Scarlett (1935).