December 7th

[DennisDawg]

On the morning of December 7, 1941, Ensign John Charles England was on board USS Oklahoma BB-37 as the Japanese attacked. He would not survive the day as America was pulled into World War II. Please read about Ens. England and the ships named after him at http://de635.ussengland.org/JCEngland.htm and always remember.

[DaveK]

Dennis:

Thanks for the information and especially for your tireless efforts to keep the memory of the USS England, and it's namesake, alive. Ensign England's heroism must never be forgotten!

[DennisDawg]

Though I have run the web site for a good number of years, the real thanks goes to all the men and women who allowed us to win World War II, in particular those who served on board USS England DE-635. God bless our country and all of them.

An interesting side note, when USS Oklahoma capsized she trapped many men, including Ensign England. A very small number were actually rescued, via holes cut in the hull. The remains of the others, the dead, stayed in the ship. When the ship was eventually righted and refloated, the remains of those who died on December 7th were removed to a mass grave that was later relocated to the Cemetery of the Pacific in Punchbowl. The names were placed on the Wall of the Missing, since the individuals were never identified and therefore listed as missing. Their graves were just to the left, midway down the center isle, all in a row, with blank markers.

A few years ago I was contacted by a group trying to develop a plan and data to identify the men buried there. I was able to put them in touch with Ensign England’s family who provided samples for DNA testing. I am told that Ensign England, has his own grave now, as do and many of the others. A much more fitting way to bury these heroes, some of our first of World War II.

Thank you for remembering them.

[DaveK]

Though I have run the web site for a good number of years, the real thanks goes to all the men and women who allowed us to win World War II, in particular those who served on board USS England DE-635. God bless our country and all of them.

Amen.