Name: James Patrick SULLIVAN
Rank / Rating: S2-Seaman Second Class
Service #: 314 69 12
DOB: Aug 28, 1927
From: Grant, MI
Parents: Ed Sullivan and Edna May Woodworth Sullivan
Went Aboard: May 12, 1945
Age When Ship Went Down: 17 years, 11 months, 2 days
Spouse:
Children:
Grandchildren:
Bio Submitted By: Marilyn Henry and Dawn Bollenhofer
Date Posted:

James Patrick Sullivan was born August 28, 1927 to Ed and Edna Sullivan of Grant, Michigan. His siblings were Dorothy, Howard, and Bertrand Sullivan. On May 11, 2025 an email was received from Amy Lyon, niece, addressing the death of James Sullivan (the brother of her father Bertrand Sullivan): “. . . literally was the downfall to death for his mother. She signed papers early so, I think, to save him from home life because of his father. He (James) was born in Newaygo MI; went to school at Newaygo Elementary. James didn't graduate because he entered the military. My grandmother blamed his death on herself because she signed papers. She wasn't happy anymore. It was a HUGE impact because his brother served in the Navy. Military lied so much it took months before she knew James was killed on the ship. They sent bits and pieces of letters. I wonder what he would have turned out to be? Sincerely Amy Lyon his Niece” Families received two telegrams from the Navy regarding the status of their son. The first was sent to arrive to each home on September 2nd - the day that Japan announced surrender. The telegram told of the sinking of Indianapolis and their son was Missing in Action. The second telegram would have arrived a few weeks later stating there was “no hope of recovering; presumed dead”. Both telegrams would have brought tremendous grief to the family of James Patrick Sullivan. Neither telegram included details of the sinking. Captain McVay sent a condolence letter to each family of the 879 men killed aboard Indianapolis on July 30, 1945. Below is a copy of Letter #366 which is the condolence letter written by Captain McVay which he mailed to Mrs. Edna May Sullivan, RFD 3, Grant, Michigan. The letter was dated September 28, 1945. This letter included details of the tragic sinking of Indy. MICHIGAN MEMORIAL PLAQUE See photographs (posted below) to view a copy of a memorial plaque that was dedicated circa 1946 to honor seventy-two (72) State of Michigan men who served on USS Indianapolis CA-35 and who were Lost At Sea. James Patrick Sullivan's name is listed on the plaque! Per the caption on one of the photos, the plaque was originally planned in 1946 for display at a proposed Detroit Civic Center. The plaque was initially displayed at the Detroit Naval Post VFW #233. However, the plaque had vanished for decades, fueling rumors of theft, being melted for scrap, or hidden away in a private basement. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Jeff Ortiz (nephew of LAS Y3 Orlando Ortiz) and Joni Deaver (cousin of LAS sailor S2c Charles Roof Jr.), this priceless piece of history has been re-discovered in the Detroit Historical Society storage basement in Michigan. One of the photos shows Jeff Ortiz and Ralph McNabb (nephew of LAS F2 Thomas McNabb, Jr) standing behind the very dusty plaque as it was found.