Background
English was born in Warrenton, Georgia, and he was a member of the United States Naval Academy class of 1911.
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. After a series of important assignments, he became commanding officer of the light cruiser United States Ship Helena (CL-50), 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, 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 km) 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 aircraft — dubbed the Philippine Clipper before the United States Navy purchased it and pressed it into service during World World War II — was destroyed in the accident. All 19 aboard were killed.
United States Ship English (Doctor of Divinity-696), an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer in commission from 1944 to 1970, was named in English"s honor.