They actually did it and I am still staring at the screen processing the news because the Navy is finally commissioning a new USS John C. England. Admiral King kept his promise after all these decades and honestly my heart is so full thinking about the family seeing this legacy …
February 26, 2017
Final supporters
On this 75th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, We are hereby petitioning the Secretary of the United States Navy to honor Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral E. J. King's promise "There'll always be an ENGLAND in the United States Navy." and commission a USS England, to recognize and honor the service and sacrifice of Ensign John Charles England.
John Charles England was born in Harris, Mo., on December 11, 1920. He enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve as an Apprentice Seaman at Los Angles on September 6, 1940 After active duty training on board the USS New York from November 25, to December 21, 1940 he attended Naval Reserve Midshipman's School, New York, N.Y. and was appointed Midshipman, USNR, March 6, 1941. He completed his training on June 5 and was commissioned Ensign, USNR, June 6, 1941. He was next assigned duty under instruction at the Naval Radio School, Norton Heights, Connecticut, reporting June 20, 1941. Upon detachment from school, he reported on September 3, 1941 to the USS Oklahoma at Pear Harbor.
During this period he had also married and in early December he was eagerly awaiting the arrival of his wife and three week old daughter (Victoria Louise England) who were do to arrive in a few days. He had never seen his daughter.
On the morning of December 7, 1941, just four days from his 21st birthday John C. England volunteered to work in the ships radio room for a friend so that he might have more time with his family when they arrived. That morning the Japanese attacked Pear Harbor and the USS Oklahoma was one of their first targets.
Oklahoma was moored Battleship Row 7, outboard alongside Maryland. USS Oklahoma took 3 torpedo hits almost immediately after the first Japanese bombs fell. As she began to capsize, 2 more torpedoes struck home, and her men were strafed as they abandoned ship. Within 2O minutes after the attack began, she had swung over until halted by her masts touching bottom, her starboard side above water, and a part of her keel clear.
Ensign England survived the initial attack and escaped topside as the ship was capsizing. He remembered the men still in the radio room. He returned three times to the radio room, each time guiding a man to safety. He left to go back below decks for the fourth time and was never seen again. He was one of twenty officers and 395 enlisted men were killed on board USS Oklahoma that morning. Ensign England's gallant effort saved three, but cost him his life. He never saw his daughter...
Updates
February 3, 2017
I have been digging through so many old archives and letters trying to prove that this promise was meant to be permanent because honestly the silence from the Navy offices is frustrating. It blows my mind that this history could just drift away if we stop talking about it so I am sending out another round of emails to the Pentagon today.
February 3, 2017
I was looking at the screen and just realized how quickly this has taken off which is honestly wild because sometimes things just sit there forever but not this one. People are really starting to pay attention to that old promise from Admiral King and it feels like the momentum is actually sticking for once.
Reached 100 supporters
February 3, 2017
116 Comments
I am proud to have served on the England 1983 - 1988. A history of excellence sets high expectations for the future. Any ship named USS England will be home to a crew who feel they are a part of that history and who will strive for excellence themselves. You can't buy or build that but you can pass it on by keeping the promise!
I served aboard USS England in the 1960's over 50 years ago. A saber through the heart when I found out about the decommissioning & scrapping. Replacement & recommissioning is an Honorable legacy to our U. S. Navy's Heritage and Ensign England's service.
Having served on the USS England (DLG-22), and spending time in combat with her, I am in total agreement that there should be another commissioning of a man-of-war celebrating this hero of the United States Navy and the United States of America.
Served onboard England (CG 22) as an Operations Specialist from Dec 80 to Dec 85. Time to honor Admiral Kings promise. Naming one of the new Zumwalt class after him would be fitting.
As a member of the USS England (CG-22) crew, and a Retired Chief Petty Officer who had the honor of being advanced to Chief aboard the ENgland I strongly request that Admiral King's promise be honored by this generation of US Navy sailors
I very respectfully request that a major Combat Ship be named in honor of John Charles England for his Heroics onboard the USS Oklahoma on December 7, 1941. I agree with Adm King, there should always be a USS England.
May there always be an England in the United States Navy. We Love you Ensign J.C. England. CG-22 Veteren.
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They actually did it and I am still staring at the screen processing the news because the Navy is finally commissioning a new USS John C. England. Admiral King kept his promise after all these decades and honestly my heart is so full thinking about the family seeing this legacy …
February 26, 2017
Final supporters
On this 75th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, We are hereby petitioning the Secretary of the United States Navy to honor Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral E. J. King's promise "There'll always be an ENGLAND in the United States Navy." and commission a USS England, to recognize and honor the service and sacrifice of Ensign John Charles England.
John Charles England was born in Harris, Mo., on December 11, 1920. He enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve as an Apprentice Seaman at Los Angles on September 6, 1940 After active duty training on board the USS New York from November 25, to December 21, 1940 he attended Naval Reserve Midshipman's School, New York, N.Y. and was appointed Midshipman, USNR, March 6, 1941. He completed his training on June 5 and was commissioned Ensign, USNR, June 6, 1941. He was next assigned duty under instruction at the Naval Radio School, Norton Heights, Connecticut, reporting June 20, 1941. Upon detachment from school, he reported on September 3, 1941 to the USS Oklahoma at Pear Harbor.
During this period he had also married and in early December he was eagerly awaiting the arrival of his wife and three week old daughter (Victoria Louise England) who were do to arrive in a few days. He had never seen his daughter.
On the morning of December 7, 1941, just four days from his 21st birthday John C. England volunteered to work in the ships radio room for a friend so that he might have more time with his family when they arrived. That morning the Japanese attacked Pear Harbor and the USS Oklahoma was one of their first targets.
Oklahoma was moored Battleship Row 7, outboard alongside Maryland. USS Oklahoma took 3 torpedo hits almost immediately after the first Japanese bombs fell. As she began to capsize, 2 more torpedoes struck home, and her men were strafed as they abandoned ship. Within 2O minutes after the attack began, she had swung over until halted by her masts touching bottom, her starboard side above water, and a part of her keel clear.
Ensign England survived the initial attack and escaped topside as the ship was capsizing. He remembered the men still in the radio room. He returned three times to the radio room, each time guiding a man to safety. He left to go back below decks for the fourth time and was never seen again. He was one of twenty officers and 395 enlisted men were killed on board USS Oklahoma that morning. Ensign England's gallant effort saved three, but cost him his life. He never saw his daughter...
Updates
February 3, 2017
I have been digging through so many old archives and letters trying to prove that this promise was meant to be permanent because honestly the silence from the Navy offices is frustrating. It blows my mind that this history could just drift away if we stop talking about it so I am sending out another round of emails to the Pentagon today.
February 3, 2017
I was looking at the screen and just realized how quickly this has taken off which is honestly wild because sometimes things just sit there forever but not this one. People are really starting to pay attention to that old promise from Admiral King and it feels like the momentum is actually sticking for once.
Reached 100 supporters
February 3, 2017
116 Comments
Served on USS ENGLAND CG-22 1991 until decommission. At the decommissioning ceremony it was stated in the speech that there would always be an ENGLAND. I take special pride in that.
I am proud to have served on the England 1983 - 1988. A history of excellence sets high expectations for the future. Any ship named USS England will be home to a crew who feel they are a part of that history and who will strive for excellence themselves. You can't buy or build that but you can pass it on by keeping the promise!
I served aboard USS England in the 1960's over 50 years ago. A saber through the heart when I found out about the decommissioning & scrapping. Replacement & recommissioning is an Honorable legacy to our U. S. Navy's Heritage and Ensign England's service.
Having served on the USS England (DLG-22), and spending time in combat with her, I am in total agreement that there should be another commissioning of a man-of-war celebrating this hero of the United States Navy and the United States of America.
Served onboard England (CG 22) as an Operations Specialist from Dec 80 to Dec 85. Time to honor Admiral Kings promise. Naming one of the new Zumwalt class after him would be fitting.
As a member of the USS England (CG-22) crew, and a Retired Chief Petty Officer who had the honor of being advanced to Chief aboard the ENgland I strongly request that Admiral King's promise be honored by this generation of US Navy sailors
I very respectfully request that a major Combat Ship be named in honor of John Charles England for his Heroics onboard the USS Oklahoma on December 7, 1941. I agree with Adm King, there should always be a USS England.
May there always be an England in the United States Navy. We Love you Ensign J.C. England. CG-22 Veteren.
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Served on USS ENGLAND CG-22 1991 until decommission. At the decommissioning ceremony it was stated in the speech that there would always be an ENGLAND. I take special pride in that.