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Photo # NH 44173:  LCdr Daniel A.J. Sullivan, USNRF.

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Lieutenant Commander Daniel A.J. Sullivan, USNRF, (1884-1941)

Daniel Augustus Joseph Sullivan was born in Charleston, South Carolina, on 31 July 1884. On 12 April 1917, a few days after the United States entered World War I, he enrolled in the U.S. Naval Reserve Force and later was commissioned in the rank of Ensign. On 21 May 1918, while serving as an officer of USS Christabel (SP-162), he exhibited "extraordinary heroism" in securing live depth charges that had come loose during combat with a German U-Boat. For this act, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. Later in 1918 Ensign Sullivan was assigned to the destroyers Drayton and Ludlow. Promoted to Lieutenant in September 1918, he served with the U.S. Navy Headquarters in London, England, during the months following the November 1918 Armistice and attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander before leaving the Naval Reserve Force. Daniel A.J. Sullivan died on 27 January 1941 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetary.

This page features the only views we have concerning Lieutenant Commander Daniel A.J. Sullivan, USNRF.


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Photo #: NH 44173

Lieutenant Commander Daniel A.J. Sullivan, USNRF


Portrait photograph, taken circa 1920.
He was awarded the Medal of Honor for "extraordinary heroism" while serving in USS Christabel (SP-162) during an action with a German submarine on 21 May 1918. He was a Naval Reserve Force Ensign at that time.
Note the "overseas service" chevrons on his uniform sleeve.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 51KB; 535 x 765 pixels

 



Medal of Honor citation of Ensign Daniel A.J. Sullivan (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 125):

"For extraordinary heroism as an officer of the U.S.S. Christabel in conflict with an enemy submarine on 21 May 1918. As a result of the explosion of a depth bomb dropped near the submarine, the Christabel was so badly shaken that a number of depth charges which had been set for firing were thrown about the deck and there was imminent danger that they would explode. Ensign Sullivan immediately fell on the depth charges and succeeded in securing them, thus saving the ship from disaster, which would inevitably have caused great loss of life."


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 10 December 2004