NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, FL. – (July 08, 2021) – Seaman David DiGioia, a native of Newfield, is serving aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS The Sullivans (DDG 68).
DiGioia, a 2020 graduate of Delsea Regional High School, joined the U.S. Navy to serve his country and to carry on the family tradition of serving in the Navy.
Today, DiGioia serves as a culinary specialist responsible for preparing food for the crew: “It’s been quite an experience serving on The Sullivans, but it’s the history behind the name that’s really cool,” said DiGioia.
According to Navy officials, The Sullivans is named to honor five brothers from Waterloo, IA, who served together on the USS Juneau during World War II. The Sullivan brothers: George, 28; Francis, 27; Joseph, 24; Madison, 23; and Albert, 20; lost their lives during the Battle of Guadalcanal on November 13, 1942. They were adamant about serving together in spite of the Navy wartime policy to separate family members. This was the greatest military loss by any one American family during World War II.
The Sullivans is currently undergoing a routine maintenance period after completing a seven-month global deployment where they participated in multinational operations and joint training exercises with international partners to foster positive relationships while ensuring freedom of navigation and maritime security.
