Robert Henry English
Encyclopedia
Robert Henry English was a United States Navy
Commissioned officer who commanded the U.S. Navy's submarine
force in the Pacific Ocean
early in World War II
.
English was born in Warrenton
, Georgia
, and was a member of the United States Naval Academy
class of 1911. Early in his naval career he became a submariner. In 1917, while commanding submarine USS O-4 (SS-65)
, he won the Navy Cross
for his great heroism in rescuing an officer trapped in submarine USS O-5 (SS-66)
after an explosion.
After a series of important assignments, he became commanding officer of light cruiser
USS Helena (CL-50)
, and during the Japanese attack
on Pearl Harbor
in Hawaii
on December 7, 1941 was one of the first to bring his ship into action.
On May 14, 1942, he became Commander, Submarines, United States Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC))
, and was so serving when killed in the crash of Pan American Flight 1104
into a mountain about 7 miles (11.3 km) SW of the city of Ukiah
in Mendocino County
, California
on January 21, 1943. In the accident, English and other Navy officers were passengers on a four-engine Martin
M-130
flying boat
, being flown by a Pan American World Airways
civilian crew. The aircraft — dubbed the “Philippine Clipper” before it had been purchased by the Navy and pressed into service for the war — was destroyed in the accident; all 19 aboard were killed.
For his exceptionally meritorious service in his last assignment, Rear Admiral
English was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Medal
.
, an Allen M. Sumner-class
destroyer
in commission from 1944 to 1970, was named in his honor.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
Commissioned officer who commanded the U.S. Navy's submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
force in the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
early in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
English was born in Warrenton
Warrenton, Georgia
Warrenton is a city in Warren County, Georgia, United States. The population was 2,013 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Warren County.-Geography:Warrenton is located at ....
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, and was a member of the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
class of 1911. Early in his naval career he became a submariner. In 1917, while commanding submarine USS O-4 (SS-65)
USS O-4 (SS-65)
USS O-4 was an O-class submarine of the United States Navy. Her keel was laid down on 4 December 1916 by the Fore River Shipbuilding Company in Quincy, Massachusetts. She was launched on 20 October 1917, and commissioned on 29 May 1918 with Lieutenant Robert H...
, he won the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
for his great heroism in rescuing an officer trapped in submarine USS O-5 (SS-66)
USS O-5 (SS-66)
USS O-5 was an O-class submarine. Her keel was laid down on 8 December 1916 by the Fore River Shipbuilding Company of Quincy, Massachusetts. She was launched on 11 November 1917, and commissioned on 8 June 1918 with Lieutenant George A...
after an explosion.
After a series of important assignments, he became commanding officer of light cruiser
Light cruiser
A light cruiser is a type of small- or medium-sized warship. The term is a shortening of the phrase "light armored cruiser", describing a small ship that carried armor in the same way as an armored cruiser: a protective belt and deck...
USS Helena (CL-50)
USS Helena (CL-50)
USS Helena was a St. Louis-class light cruiser of the United States Navy, damaged in the attack on Pearl Harbor, and subsequently active in the Pacific War until she was sunk at the battle of Kula Gulf in 1943...
, and during the Japanese attack
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
on Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
in Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
on December 7, 1941 was one of the first to bring his ship into action.
On May 14, 1942, he became Commander, Submarines, United States Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC))
ComSubPac
Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet is the principal advisor to the Commander, United States Pacific Fleet for submarine matters. The Pacific Submarine Force includes attack, ballistic missile and auxiliary submarines, submarine tenders, floating submarine docks, deep submergence...
, and was so serving when killed in the crash of Pan American Flight 1104
Pan Am Flight 1104
Pan Am Flight 1104, Trip No. 62100, was a Martin M-130 flying boat nicknamed the Philippine Clipper that crashed on the morning of January 21, 1943 in Northern California. The aircraft was operated by Pan American World Airways, and at the time of the crash was transporting ten US Navy personnel...
into a mountain about 7 miles (11.3 km) SW of the city of Ukiah
Ukiah, California
The average high temperature is 73.5 °F . Average low temperature is 46.1 °F . Temperatures reach 90 °F on an average of 65.6 days annually and 100 °F on an average of 14.4 days annually. Due to frequent low humidity, summer temperatures normally drop into the fifties at night. Freezing...
in Mendocino County
Mendocino County, California
Mendocino County is a county located on the north coast of the U.S. state of California, north of the greater San Francisco Bay Area and west of the Central Valley. As of the 2010 census, the population was 87,841, up from 86,265 at the 2000 census...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
on January 21, 1943. In the accident, English and other Navy officers were passengers on a four-engine Martin
Glenn L. Martin Company
The Glenn L. Martin Company was an American aircraft and aerospace manufacturing company that was founded by the aviation pioneer Glenn L. Martin. The Martin Company produced many important aircraft for the defense of the United States and its allies, especially during World War II and the Cold War...
M-130
Martin M-130
|-See also:-External links:* at the University of Miami Library*...
flying boat
Flying boat
A flying boat is a fixed-winged seaplane with a hull, allowing it to land on water. It differs from a float plane as it uses a purpose-designed fuselage which can float, granting the aircraft buoyancy. Flying boats may be stabilized by under-wing floats or by wing-like projections from the fuselage...
, being flown by a Pan American World Airways
Pan American World Airways
Pan American World Airways, commonly known as Pan Am, was the principal and largest international air carrier in the United States from 1927 until its collapse on December 4, 1991...
civilian crew. The aircraft — dubbed the “Philippine Clipper” before it had been purchased by the Navy and pressed into service for the war — was destroyed in the accident; all 19 aboard were killed.
For his exceptionally meritorious service in his last assignment, Rear Admiral
Rear admiral (United States)
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. The uniformed services of the United States are unique in having two grades of rear admirals.- Rear admiral :...
English was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal (United States)
The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
.
Namesake
USS English (DD-696)USS English (DD-696)
USS English , an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, named for Rear Admiral Robert Henry English, a submariner who commanded the and was awarded the Navy Cross and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal...
, an Allen M. Sumner-class
Allen M. Sumner class destroyer
The Allen M. Sumner class was a group of 58 destroyers built by the United States during World War II. Another twelve ships were completed as destroyer minelayers...
destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
in commission from 1944 to 1970, was named in his honor.
External links
- history.navy.mil: USS English
- http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/rhenglish.htm