Robert Henry English

Robert Henry English (16 January 1888 - 21 January 1943), born in Warrenton, Georgia, was a member of the United States Naval Academy class of 1911, and early in his naval career became a submariner.

In 1917, while commanding "O-4" (SS-65), he won the Navy Cross for his great heroism in rescuing an officer trapped in "O-5" (SS-66) after an explosion. After a series of important assignments, he became commanding officer of "Helena" (CL-50), and during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor 7 December 1941 was one of the first to bring his ship into action.

On 14 May 1942, he became Commander, Submarines, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and was so serving when killed in an airplane accident near the village of Boonville, Mendocino County, California on 21 January 1943. In the accident, English and his staff were flying on a US Navy flying boat--a four-engine Martin M-130 flying boat, dubbed the “Philippine Clipper” (NC14715) [ [http://members.aol.com/jaydeebee1/crash40s.html 1940s: Notable California Aviation Disasters ] ] --before it had been pressed into service for the war. For his exceptionally meritorious service in his last assignment, Rear Admiral English was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.

Namesake

The USS "English" (DD-696), an "Allen M. Sumner"-class destroyer, was named in his honor.

References

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/e4/english.htm history.navy.mil: USS "English"]