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Contact Info
Home Town Warrenton, GA
Last Address Long Beach, CA
Date of Passing Jan 21, 1943
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Wall/Plot Coordinates 8 5118
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
Robert Henry English commanded the U.S. Navy's submarine force in the Pacific Theater of Operations early in World War II.
TO: Submarine Squadron Commanders, SubPacFlt/SubSoWesPac
FROM: Admiral Ernest J. King CinC U.S. Fleet Chief of Naval Operations
CC: Admiral Chester W. Nimitz
DATE: 31 January, 1943
SUBJECT: Death of Rear Admiral English
It is my sad duty to inform all Officers and Enlisted personal of SubPacFlt of the untimely death of Rear Admiral Robert H. English.
Rear Admiral English was in transit to the submarine support facility at Mare Island aboard a Pan-Am clipper on loan to the U.S. Navy. Radio contact was lost due to a severe storm which occurred while approaching San Francisco. Rear Admiral English, three senior staff officers, six Navy passengers, a nurse and nine crewmen all perished.
Our hearts go out to the English family. It is a tragic loss to SubPacFlt and to the United States Navy. Let us keep his family in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Captain John H. "Babe" Brown will assume temporary command of SubPacFlt until a suitable replacement is appointed.
Admiral Ernest J. King CinC
Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet
Chief of Naval Operations
Other Comments:
USS English (DD-696), an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer in commission from 1944 to 1970, was named in English's honor.
Navy Cross
Awarded for Actions During World War I
Service: Navy
Division: U.S.S. O-4
Citation:
" The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Robert Henry English (NSN: 0-7724), United States Navy, for distinguished service as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. 0-4, engaged in the important, exacting and hazardous duty of patrolling the waters infested by enemy submarines, destroyers and mines, protecting vitally important convoys of troops and supplies and in offensive and defensive action, vigorously and unremittingly prosecuted against all forms of enemy naval activity during World War I."
Navy Cross
Awarded for Actions During World War I
Service: Navy
Citation:
"The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Robert Henry English (NSN: 0-7724), United States Navy, for his heroic conduct upon the occasion of the explosion on the U.S.S. 0-5.
...
At the risk of his own life, Lieutenant Commander English entered the after battery compartment, which was filled with smoke and debris from the exploding batteries, and rescued Lieutenant Commander G. A. Trever, U.S.N., from being burned to death."
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
General Orders: Commander in Chief: Serial 1158)
Citation:
"The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal (Posthumously) to Rear Admiral Robert Henry English (NSN: 0-7724), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Commander, Submarines, Pacific Fleet, during World War II.
...
In that position of great responsibility, he directed the operations of his command with marked skill and resourcefulness, as a result of which heavy damage was inflicted on enemy ships and shipping. His example of tenacity and devotion to duty was in large part responsible for the high degree of combat efficiency attained by his command."
