Robert Henry English (16 January 1888 – 21 January 1943) was a United States Navy commissioned officer who commanded the U.S. Navy's submarine force in the Pacific Theater of Operations early in World War II.
English was born in Warrenton, Georgia, and he 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 the submarine , he received the Navy Cross for his great heroism in rescuing an officer trapped in the submarine after an explosion.
After a series of important assignments, he became commanding officer of the light cruiser , and during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on 7 December 1941 was one of the first to bring his ship into action.
On 14 May 1942, he became Commander, Submarine Force, United States Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC), and was so serving when killed in the crash of Pan American Flight 1104 into a mountain about southwest of Ukiah in Mendocino County, California, on 21 January 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 Airways civilian crew. The aircraftdubbed the Philippine Clipper before the U.S Navy purchased it and pressed it into service during World War IIwas destroyed in the accident; all 19 aboard were killed.
For his exceptionally meritorious service in his last assignment, English was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.
Namesake
, an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer in commission from 1944 to 1970, was named in English's honor.
References
External links
history.navy.mil: USS English
1888 births
1943 deaths
Accidental deaths in California
United States Navy personnel of World War I
United States Navy World War II admirals
Attack on Pearl Harbor
Battle of Midway
People from Warrenton, Georgia
Military personnel from Georgia (U.S. state) Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States) United States Navy rear admirals (upper half) United States Naval Academy alumni United States submarine commanders Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 1943 Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in the United States Burials at Arlington National Cemetery United States Navy personnel killed in World War II