U.S. Navy Policy Regarding Family Members Serving Together at Sea (Hawk)

Here is the official proof of the urban legend I posted a few days ago.



This information was obtained from http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq72-5.htm

Several misconceptions, common during World War II and after, continue to circulate about the Sullivan brothers and the assignment of family members to U.S. Navy ships.

Reference to a "Sullivan Act" in connection with family members serving in the same ship/unit is a popular misconception. The Sullivan Law of 25 May 1911 is a New York City ordinance dealing with firearms. Although proposed after the death of the five Sullivan Brothers, no "Sullivan Act" was ever enacted by Congress related to family members serving together. Similarly, no President has ever issued any executive order forbidding assignment of family members to the same ship/unit.

There are nine references that describe the U.S. Navy policy toward the assignment of family members to ships since 1942, and one other article that help explain this policy. They are listed at http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq72-5.htm

Here is the first part of 1860100 Designation as a sole surviving son or daughter, Naval Military Personnel Manual

[Source: Naval Military Personnel Manual, NAVPERS 15560C, Enclosure e, 15 August 1991,]

I have only copied/pasted partial because it is so long.....but you may read it at the website if interested.

1860100 Designation as a sole surviving son or daughter

1. For the purposes of this article the following definitions apply:

a. A sole surviving son or daughter is the only remaining son or daughter of a family in which, by reason of service in any of the Armed Forces of the United States, the father, or mother, or one or more sons or daughters:

(1) Was killed in action.

(2) Died as a result of wounds, accident, or disease.

(3) Is in a captured or missing-in-action status.

(4) Is permanently 100 percent physically or mentally disabled as determined by the Veterans' Administration or one of the military services, is hospitalized on a continuing basis, and is not gainfully employed as a result of such physical or mental disability.

b. A family is considered to include a husband and wife; or the father, mother, sons, daughters, and all brothers and sisters in the following categories:

(1) A brother or sister of the whole blood.

(2) A brother or sister of the half blood.

(3) A stepbrother or stepsister.

(4) A brother or sister by adoption.

If you wish to read more on this instruction click link #9 at http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq72-5.htm

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