Cornelius Dion O'Sullivan, known at times as "Sully",  "Curly", or "O'Banion", was born in San Francisco, California and began college life at the University of California before transferring almost immediately to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.  He had little trouble standing at the top of his Class.  "Sully" climaxed four years of crew by becoming the Academy's No. 1 oarsman and captain.

His unruly hair  had been a problem leading to his nickname "Curly", but he was able to divert attention with his contagious smile.  His Classmates would remember that "make one derogatory remark about California and you would have a fighting Irishman on your hands"  which earned him the nickname "O'Banion" after one of Al Capone's gangster pals. 

LTJG Cornelius O'Sullivan would serve aboard the USS TRITON for three War
Patrols, and he would be awarded the Silver Star by ADM Nimitz for valor under fire.