USS Juneau (CL-52)

• Naming: USS Juneau (CL-52) was named after the city of Juneau, Alaska, reflecting the tradition of naming light cruisers after US cities. • Class: She was an Atlanta-class light cruiser, designed primarily for anti-aircraft warfare with a main battery of sixteen 5-inch guns. • Wartime Service: Juneau was commissioned on 14 February 1942 and saw action in several major Pacific Theater operations during World War II. • Sullivan Brothers: The ship is most famous for having the five Sullivan brothers on board, all of whom were killed when Juneau was sunk. Their loss had a profound impact on military family policies. • Battle of Guadalcanal: Juneau played a key role in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal in November 1942, providing anti-aircraft and surface gunfire support. • Sinking: On 13 November 1942, USS Juneau was torpedoed and sunk by the Japanese submarine I-26, breaking in two and sinking in just 20 seconds. • Casualties: Of the 697 crew members aboard, only about 10 survived due to injuries, exposure, and shark attacks while awaiting rescue. • Impact on Navy Policy: The loss of the Sullivan brothers led to the US military’s adoption of the Sole Survivor Policy, limiting siblings from serving together in combat zones. • Recognition: The Sullivans’ story inspired the Navy to name two ships USS The Sullivans (DD-537 and DDG-68) in their honor. • Wreck Discovery: The wreck of USS Juneau was discovered in March 2018 by an expedition led by Paul Allen’s research vessel, RV Petrel, at a depth of about 4,200 meters in the Solomon Sea.