The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal , a multi-day battle that would see more than 1,700 Americans killed, began on this day in history, Nov. 12, 1942. Guadalcanal is the largest island in the Solomon Islands , a country located in the Pacific Ocean northeast of Australia and east of Papua New Guinea. The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal came several months into the extended military campaign on the island, and featured intense, heavy fights that saw large amounts of casualties on both sides.
But perhaps the most well-known casualties of the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal were the five Sullivan brothers of Waterloo, Iowa. The loss of five brothers marked the 'biggest blow to any one family in U.S. wartime history,' the Navy's website indicates. The loss of five brothers marked the 'biggest blow to any one family in U.S. wartime history.
Naval Battle Guadalcanal Solomon Islands World War II Pacific Ocean
Two Japanese Battleships were sunk during the battle on two different nights. 12 year old Calvin Graham was aboard the USS South Dakota during the battle and was awarded the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his actions. Of the 5 sullivan brothers 2 were seen getting into the water as their cruiser was sinking, but likely drowned because the Navy could not mount a rescue in time.
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