Sullivan Brothers of World War II
Memories of Rosenthal Elementary & Pineville Grammar
Sharon Smith
Current resident of Hendersonville, TN

I wanted to share the clipping shown below because one, it is a huge source of pride for me and my entire family, but, I think also for the City of Alexandria.

The four young men are my uncles, who, all at the same time, were serving in World War II overseas. My grandmother received a letter from Gov. Jimmie Davis lauding the Alexandria version of the Sullivan Brothers.

Henry Sullivan, Jr. did not return from the war, but, the other three did. My uncle Fred Sullivan will be 82 in May and lives in New Blaine, AR. Jack Sullivan died in 1986 and Clifford Sullivan died in 1993 at the Veterans Hospital in Alexandria.

The dateline, and caption, read as follows:

Alexandria Daily Town Talk May 12, 1944
BROTHERS IN ARMED FORCES

Four sons of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Sullivan, 143 Sunset Drive, Alexandria, two in the army [this was incorrect; Henry, Jr, was in the Air Force] and two overseas with the Navy. From left to right Corp. Henry W. Sullivan, Jr., 24, an aerial gunner is stationed in Charleston, SC. [Died later that year in Italy] Private Fred A. Sullivan, 21, is with a tank destroyer battalion in Fort Jackson, SC. [Later received the Purple Heart for injuries] Seaman Third Class Jack L. Sullivan, 20, has been in the South Pacific for a year, Seaman First Class Clifford L. Sullivan, 18, in the South Pacific for 8 months, took part in the battle of the Gilbert Islands.

This is a photo of a class at Rosenthal Elementary School, sometime in the late 20's. The only child I can positively identify is the little boy, first row, second from the left....Henry W. Sullivan, Jr., my uncle who later died in World War II while serving in the Air Force. He was married to the former Hazel Stedman, whose family home backed right up to Gravel's Drugstore.

click to enlarge

Here's a photo from Pineville Grammar School from about 1945-46, probably the 5th grade class, or possibly the 6th grade.

My mother, Barbara Sullivan, is first row, second from the left.The Sullivan's lived on Rapides Avenue and Baywood Dr. My grandparents were Henry & Rosena Sullivan and their children were Henry, Jr., Eugenia (Jean) Fred, Jack, Clifford, Pat Sullivan Duncan (still residing in Alex.) and my mom.

Other classmates in the photo are: Catherine Bennett, F. C. Matthews, Richard Lofton, John 'Chicken' Hurst, Nancy Montpeilier, Doris Dupree, Bonnie Nalley and others. Also, Bill King, third row, far left.

These Pineville students later entered Bolton as 8th graders.

click to enlarge