SULLIVAN JOSEPH L

CW4 Joseph L. Sullivan was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 03/28/2014 at the age of 70.8
Little Rock, AR
Flight Class 65-11
Date of Birth 06/26/1943
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with A/501 AVN in 65-66, 281 AHC in 66, B/229 AVN 1 CAV in 66
Call sign in Vietnam FANG PREACHER
This information was provided by Jameson Dormann (son)

More detail on this person: Chief Warrant Officer (CW4 Ret) JOSEPH L. SULLIVAN, JR., age 70 of Little Rock, passed away on March 28, 2014. Chief Sullivan was the grandson of late Judge John L. and Hazel Sullivan, and the son of the late Colonel Joseph L. and Gloria Sullivan. Chief Sullivan was a 1961 graduate of Catholic High School and held a Bachelors Degree from UALR and a Masters Degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.

Chief Sullivan joined the Army in October 1964 and upon graduation from Warrant Officer Candidate Helicopter Flight Training in September 1965 arrived in Viet Nam in November of that year. Chief Sullivan was initially assigned to the 6th Aviation Platoon (Airlift) in direct support of the 5th Special Forces Group. The 6th Airlift Platoon and other aviation unites were joined together and formed the 281st Assault Helicopter Company. The 281st AHC was the first U.S. Army Helicopter Company organized and trained as a Special Operations Aviation unit in the Republic of Viet Nam. The 281st was placed under the Operational Control of the 5th Special Forces Group, Nha Trang, RVN. Chief Sullivan's second assignment in Viet Nam was with the Bravo Company 229th Aviation Battalion, 1st Cav Division (airmobile).

Chief Sullivan was a life member of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA), American Legion. Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and Disabled American Veterans (DAV). His military awards include the Air Medal, three awards of National Defense Service Medal (Viet Nam, Desert Storm and Enduring Freedom), three awards of the Army Commendation Medal and others. Chief Sullivan retired from the Army in June 2003. Chief Sullivan also had a parallel civilian career with the State of Arkansas as a Senior Financial Examiner with the Arkansas Insurance Department. His loving wife Wilma proceeds him in death, survivors include his children - Joe Sullivan III and Deborah, Kim Swaggerty and husband Shannon and John Sullivan and wife Colleen, all of Charlotte, NC; Stepson Jameson Dormann of Atlanta, GA and stepdaughter Kimberly Wilfong husband Steven and grandson Gavin of Conway, AR. Two nieces, Dawn Teagle and husband Stan and grandniece Haileigh of Gainsville, FL, Leigh Skehan and husband Eddie and grand nephew Holden of Leesburg, FL and his nieces mother Joan Sullivan, of Leesburg, FL; two sisters, Kaye Duncan and her children Michael and Erin of Orlando, FL, and Barbara Stone and husband Jeff and daughter Megan and great nephew Barrett of Magnet Cove and wife and friend Kitty.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 4 in the chapel of Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth, 5800 W. 12th St., Little Rock (501) 661-9111 with Brother James Wilson officiating. Interment with Military Honors will follow at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to VHPA.org or American Cancer Society.

This information was last updated 02/14/2014

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024


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