SULLIVAN, Miles John "Bud" 1925-2003

SULLIVAN, JUNG

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 2/1/2009 at 20:07:39

CLIFTON, VIRGINIA - Miles John Sullivan of Clifton, Va., formerly of Charles City, died at his home in Clifton on Thursday, May 22, 2003, after a long illness. He was 77.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 29 at 2 p.m. at the Everly Funeral Home in Fairfax, Va. His body was cremated and will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Miles "Bud" Sullivan was born in Charles City on November 7, 1925, the son of Frank and Kathryn Sullivan. He and the former Mavis Jung of Charles City were married at St. John Lutheran Church in Charles City on March 14, 1948.

On June 1, 1943, less than a month following his graduation from Charles City High School, he enlisted in the United States Navy. Upon completion of his training, he was assigned as a bombardier aboard a Navy Liberator. Late in 1945, the bomber was shot down near the Philippine Islands by Japanese fighters. Sullivan and six crewmates were rescued by Filipino fishermen and treated for their injuries. After recuperating for several days, he and a crewmate traveled by sailboat, horse-cart, landing craft and Jeep to reach Allied lines and help arrange for rescuing the balance of the crew.

He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions.

Upon his discharge from the Navy in Minneapolis on November 18, 1945, he enrolled at the University of Iowa where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering, and a commission as 1st lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

After graduation, he worked first at the Oliver Corporation in Charles City and later with Trane Corporation in La Crosse, Wis. In 1958, Sullivan accepted a post with the United States Agency for International Development in New Delhi, India. The Sullivan family lived in India until 1962, at which time Sullivan was transferred to Karachi, Pakistan where he remained until 1965. In 1966 he accepted a temporary assignment with USAID in Dacca, East Pakistan and then transferred from the Department of State to the Department of Commerce where he remained until his retirement in 1981, as chief of loan administration for the Economic Development Administration.

Surviving in addition to Mavis, his wife of 55 years, are sons, Michael (Dora) of Cape Charles, Va.; Daniel (Jennifer) of Mohave Valley, Ariz.; Steven (Cynthia) of King George, Va.; daughter, Kathryn of Fredericksburg, Va.; 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Also surviving are a brother, Ken Sullivan of Swisher, Iowa; and his mother-in-law, Mabel Hansen of Charles City. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters: Vivian (Mrs. Jack) Stout of Merced, Calif., Virginia (Mrs. Laverne) Johnson of Charles City; and Phyllis (Mrs. James) Scoles, also of Charles City.

The family suggests that memorial contributions in Miles' name may be made to the Burke, Virginia Fire and Rescue Service, in acknowledgement of assistance provided during his illness. Donations may be sent directly to the Firefighters Fund of Fairfax, P.O. Box 401, Fairfax, VA 22030-0401, or to Mavis Sullivan, 11900 Henderson Road, Clifton, VA 20124.