January 1954

July 1962

My uncle Edward Frances Sullivan, aka "Sully, was flying Crusaders with VF-33 in 1962. He was a 25 year-old lieutenant when he was killed on July 1, 1962. He was from Cambridge, Mass. He was assigned to VF-33 aboard the USS Enterprise and flew the F8U-2NE (F8E). His qualifications were initially performed aboard the USS Intrepid. A low-speed cat launch (due to a catapult failure) forced him to eject at low altitude and at an unfavorable aircraft attitude. The aircraft was lost. He was seen in the water swimming as the Enterprise eased by, but he was never recovered. Not until 1994, that is, when his remains were found - not far from the accident site - in bottom-dragging nets by local fisherman. I appreciate any assistance you could offer in getting his name out; I would be thrilled to contact an old squadron-mate or two. I never knew Uncle Edward, but I grew up admiring his photographs! in newspaper clippings and the bits & pieces my mother would tell me about him. He was something of a myth to me until he re-appeared in 1994. He was found, in terms of the Gulf of Maine, a stone's throw from where he went down. It had been 32 years. His remains consisted of his orange MkV exposure suit, his red life-vest, his olive-drab g-suit and socks. He had scrawled "SULLIVAN" in marker along the front of the g-suit. I have autopsy photos; the condition of the lettering, fabrics and colors is like new. His vertebrae, pelvic bone, leg bones and foot bones were all retained within the suit. Of course, it took some time for investigators to figure out who all this belonged to, but they put it together well. Even more amazing, Uncle Edward's helmet, white with yellow lightning  bolts, yellow stars, "VF-33," and "SULLY" adorning it, was recovered about one year earlier in the same area by another fisherman. The origin of the helmet was not then determined, but it was held in high esteem by the finder. Gladly, he reunited it with Edward's remains and Edward's family was honored to finally bury him at Arlington National Cemetery, complete with caisson and honor guard. It was quite an event. A memorial stone had always existed for Uncle Edward there, and it is under that stone that he now rests. My mother always said Edward knew he would die flying fighters. It was the way a number of friends had gone before him; he, too, was resigned to a death at sea. It was a burial at sea that he got for 32 years. Now, he has it bothways. He is survived by his wife, Polly, who never remarried, and four sisters. I have always wanted to learn a much as possible about Uncle Edward, and what life for him flying F-8's was like. I hear the aircraft is thought well of by those who flew it. I know that life was everything to him. I have an Air Medal Award citation he received in 1957 (as a backseating Aviation Naval Cadet when his instructor died up front at the stick at 44,000 feet in a T-2 - that is another story!), some newspaper clippings, an accident report. But these things are a bit antiseptic. I have been aboard the Intrepid and will make for a visit aboard the Enterprise shortly. But mostly, it would be his squadron-mates memories I would relish. Thanks again for forwarding this to whomever you can. You are welcome to distribute my number and e-mail address as you see fit. Sincerely, Gregory Grsully@aol.com 202 528-2219

October or November 1962

March 1967

Again, my best to you all. Hoist a couple for me."

May 1965

Donny Wiseman

June 1968

November 1979

June 1987