John Charles "J.C." England was born in Harris, Missouri, the son of Harry B England and Thelma (nee Rhoades) England. His family moved to Alhambra, California when he was a boy. He attended Alhambra High School and was president of his senior class in 1938. After graduating high school he studied drama at Pasadena City College.
England enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve in Los Angeles on Sept 6, 1940. He completed his active duty training aboard the USS New York and later attended the Naval Reserve Midshipman's School. England was commissioned an Ensign on June 6, 1941. On Sept 3, 1941 he reported to the USS Oklahoma (BB-37) at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
On the morning of December 7, 1941, Ensign England volunteered to work in the ship's radio room for a friend. USS Oklahoma was moored at Battleship Row 7, outboard alongside USS Maryland. During the Japanese attack that morning, the USS Oklahoma took 3 torpedo hits almost immediately after the first bombs fell. As she began to capsize, 2 more torpedoes struck home, and her men were strafed as they abandoned ship. Within 20 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.
According to a representative from the Navy who spoke at his funeral, Ensign England survived the initial attack and escaped topside as the ship was capsizing. 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. Ensign England's gallant effort saved three men, but cost him his life. He was awarded the Purple Heart.
England was one of twenty officers and 395 enlisted men who were killed on board USS Oklahoma that morning. His remains were initially interred in a mass grave for the dead from the USS Oklahoma at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii even though he was identified through dental records. There he remained for 75 years until his body was re-identified using DNA technology and he was brought to Colorado to be buried next to his parents. This effort was led by Ray Emory, a Pearl Harbor Survivor, who has helped with the re-identification of 24 sailors who died aboard the Oklahoma and have been re-interred with their families back home.
England was re-interred here in Colorado Springs on August 13, 2016 in a ceremony with full military honors attended by family members, Pearl Harbor survivors, other veterans such as several sailors who served aboard the USS England, Patriot Guard Riders, Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers, community members, local law enforcement and representatives from the Navy, Army & Air Force.
Ensign England left behind a wife, Lennie, and one daughter whom he never met.
Married to: Helen Elaine (Jennerich) England Jennings
Daughter: Victoria "Tora" Louise England Jennings Glenn
Two ships have been named after Ensign England, USS England DE-635 (1943-1945) and USS England DLG-22 (1963-1994). A barracks at NSTC Great Lakes is also named for him. Alhambra High School continues to award the John C England Award yearly to its most outstanding senior.
**Thanks to Findagrave Volunteer Ron West & the Evergreen Cemetery Benevolent Society for contributing to the biographical information for this memorial.
Ens. England is also remembered on the Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii.∼His remains were never Identified but is listed as one of the approximately 390 unknowns from the USS Oklahoma that have been buried in mass graves at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
Link to mass graves of 389 Crew USS Oklahoma, National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
-------------------------------------------
The USS OKLAHOMA Memorial was dedicated 7 December 2007 on Ford Island in Pearl Harbor. The memorial stands on the shores of Ford Island, next to the former berth of the Oklahoma. Today the USS Missouri museum is moored where the Oklahoma was moored when she was sunk.
The memorial's black granite walls suggest the once formidable hull of the Oklahoma. On the black granite wall is the alphabetical list of each sailor and what row his marble standard is in. When the wall is photographed the marble standards can be seen in the reflection. The white marble standards represent its lost sailors and Marines. Each perfectly aligned marble standard symbolizes an individual in pristine white dress uniform, inspired from the naval tradition of ‘manning the rails.' In full dress whites the ship's crew stand at attention along the rails or in the rigging of the ship to display respect and honor. The marble standards of this memorial stand perfectly straight, ‘manning the rails' of the Oklahoma, forever.
------------------------------------------
England enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve in Los Angeles on Sept 6, 1940. He completed his active duty training aboard the USS New York and later attended the Naval Reserve Midshipman's School. England was commissioned an Ensign on June 6, 1941. On Sept 3, 1941 he reported to the USS Oklahoma (BB-37) at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
On the morning of December 7, 1941, Ensign England volunteered to work in the ship's radio room for a friend. USS Oklahoma was moored at Battleship Row 7, outboard alongside USS Maryland. During the Japanese attack that morning, the USS Oklahoma took 3 torpedo hits almost immediately after the first bombs fell. As she began to capsize, 2 more torpedoes struck home, and her men were strafed as they abandoned ship. Within 20 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.
According to a representative from the Navy who spoke at his funeral, Ensign England survived the initial attack and escaped topside as the ship was capsizing. 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. Ensign England's gallant effort saved three men, but cost him his life. He was awarded the Purple Heart.
England was one of twenty officers and 395 enlisted men who were killed on board USS Oklahoma that morning. His remains were initially interred in a mass grave for the dead from the USS Oklahoma at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii even though he was identified through dental records. There he remained for 75 years until his body was re-identified using DNA technology and he was brought to Colorado to be buried next to his parents. This effort was led by Ray Emory, a Pearl Harbor Survivor, who has helped with the re-identification of 24 sailors who died aboard the Oklahoma and have been re-interred with their families back home.
England was re-interred here in Colorado Springs on August 13, 2016 in a ceremony with full military honors attended by family members, Pearl Harbor survivors, other veterans such as several sailors who served aboard the USS England, Patriot Guard Riders, Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers, community members, local law enforcement and representatives from the Navy, Army & Air Force.
Ensign England left behind a wife, Lennie, and one daughter whom he never met.
Married to: Helen Elaine (Jennerich) England Jennings
Daughter: Victoria "Tora" Louise England Jennings Glenn
Two ships have been named after Ensign England, USS England DE-635 (1943-1945) and USS England DLG-22 (1963-1994). A barracks at NSTC Great Lakes is also named for him. Alhambra High School continues to award the John C England Award yearly to its most outstanding senior.
**Thanks to Findagrave Volunteer Ron West & the Evergreen Cemetery Benevolent Society for contributing to the biographical information for this memorial.
Ens. England is also remembered on the Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii.∼His remains were never Identified but is listed as one of the approximately 390 unknowns from the USS Oklahoma that have been buried in mass graves at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
Link to mass graves of 389 Crew USS Oklahoma, National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
-------------------------------------------
The USS OKLAHOMA Memorial was dedicated 7 December 2007 on Ford Island in Pearl Harbor. The memorial stands on the shores of Ford Island, next to the former berth of the Oklahoma. Today the USS Missouri museum is moored where the Oklahoma was moored when she was sunk.
The memorial's black granite walls suggest the once formidable hull of the Oklahoma. On the black granite wall is the alphabetical list of each sailor and what row his marble standard is in. When the wall is photographed the marble standards can be seen in the reflection. The white marble standards represent its lost sailors and Marines. Each perfectly aligned marble standard symbolizes an individual in pristine white dress uniform, inspired from the naval tradition of ‘manning the rails.' In full dress whites the ship's crew stand at attention along the rails or in the rigging of the ship to display respect and honor. The marble standards of this memorial stand perfectly straight, ‘manning the rails' of the Oklahoma, forever.
------------------------------------------
John Charles "J.C." England was born in Harris, Missouri, the son of Harry B England and Thelma (nee Rhoades) England. His family moved to Alhambra, California when he was a boy. He attended Alhambra High School and was president of his senior class in 1938. After graduating high school he studied drama at Pasadena City College.
England enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve in Los Angeles on Sept 6, 1940. He completed his active duty training aboard the USS New York and later attended the Naval Reserve Midshipman's School. England was commissioned an Ensign on June 6, 1941. On Sept 3, 1941 he reported to the USS Oklahoma (BB-37) at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
On the morning of December 7, 1941, Ensign England volunteered to work in the ship's radio room for a friend. USS Oklahoma was moored at Battleship Row 7, outboard alongside USS Maryland. During the Japanese attack that morning, the USS Oklahoma took 3 torpedo hits almost immediately after the first bombs fell. As she began to capsize, 2 more torpedoes struck home, and her men were strafed as they abandoned ship. Within 20 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.
According to a representative from the Navy who spoke at his funeral, Ensign England survived the initial attack and escaped topside as the ship was capsizing. 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. Ensign England's gallant effort saved three men, but cost him his life. He was awarded the Purple Heart.
England was one of twenty officers and 395 enlisted men who were killed on board USS Oklahoma that morning. His remains were initially interred in a mass grave for the dead from the USS Oklahoma at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii even though he was identified through dental records. There he remained for 75 years until his body was re-identified using DNA technology and he was brought to Colorado to be buried next to his parents. This effort was led by Ray Emory, a Pearl Harbor Survivor, who has helped with the re-identification of 24 sailors who died aboard the Oklahoma and have been re-interred with their families back home.
England was re-interred here in Colorado Springs on August 13, 2016 in a ceremony with full military honors attended by family members, Pearl Harbor survivors, other veterans such as several sailors who served aboard the USS England, Patriot Guard Riders, Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers, community members, local law enforcement and representatives from the Navy, Army & Air Force.
Ensign England left behind a wife, Lennie, and one daughter whom he never met.
Married to: Helen Elaine (Jennerich) England Jennings
Daughter: Victoria "Tora" Louise England Jennings Glenn
Two ships have been named after Ensign England, USS England DE-635 (1943-1945) and USS England DLG-22 (1963-1994). A barracks at NSTC Great Lakes is also named for him. Alhambra High School continues to award the John C England Award yearly to its most outstanding senior.
**Thanks to Findagrave Volunteer Ron West & the Evergreen Cemetery Benevolent Society for contributing to the biographical information for this memorial.
Ens. England is also remembered on the Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii.∼His remains were never Identified but is listed as one of the approximately 390 unknowns from the USS Oklahoma that have been buried in mass graves at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
Link to mass graves of 389 Crew USS Oklahoma, National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
-------------------------------------------
The USS OKLAHOMA Memorial was dedicated 7 December 2007 on Ford Island in Pearl Harbor. The memorial stands on the shores of Ford Island, next to the former berth of the Oklahoma. Today the USS Missouri museum is moored where the Oklahoma was moored when she was sunk.
The memorial's black granite walls suggest the once formidable hull of the Oklahoma. On the black granite wall is the alphabetical list of each sailor and what row his marble standard is in. When the wall is photographed the marble standards can be seen in the reflection. The white marble standards represent its lost sailors and Marines. Each perfectly aligned marble standard symbolizes an individual in pristine white dress uniform, inspired from the naval tradition of ‘manning the rails.' In full dress whites the ship's crew stand at attention along the rails or in the rigging of the ship to display respect and honor. The marble standards of this memorial stand perfectly straight, ‘manning the rails' of the Oklahoma, forever.
------------------------------------------
England enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve in Los Angeles on Sept 6, 1940. He completed his active duty training aboard the USS New York and later attended the Naval Reserve Midshipman's School. England was commissioned an Ensign on June 6, 1941. On Sept 3, 1941 he reported to the USS Oklahoma (BB-37) at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
On the morning of December 7, 1941, Ensign England volunteered to work in the ship's radio room for a friend. USS Oklahoma was moored at Battleship Row 7, outboard alongside USS Maryland. During the Japanese attack that morning, the USS Oklahoma took 3 torpedo hits almost immediately after the first bombs fell. As she began to capsize, 2 more torpedoes struck home, and her men were strafed as they abandoned ship. Within 20 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.
According to a representative from the Navy who spoke at his funeral, Ensign England survived the initial attack and escaped topside as the ship was capsizing. 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. Ensign England's gallant effort saved three men, but cost him his life. He was awarded the Purple Heart.
England was one of twenty officers and 395 enlisted men who were killed on board USS Oklahoma that morning. His remains were initially interred in a mass grave for the dead from the USS Oklahoma at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii even though he was identified through dental records. There he remained for 75 years until his body was re-identified using DNA technology and he was brought to Colorado to be buried next to his parents. This effort was led by Ray Emory, a Pearl Harbor Survivor, who has helped with the re-identification of 24 sailors who died aboard the Oklahoma and have been re-interred with their families back home.
England was re-interred here in Colorado Springs on August 13, 2016 in a ceremony with full military honors attended by family members, Pearl Harbor survivors, other veterans such as several sailors who served aboard the USS England, Patriot Guard Riders, Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers, community members, local law enforcement and representatives from the Navy, Army & Air Force.
Ensign England left behind a wife, Lennie, and one daughter whom he never met.
Married to: Helen Elaine (Jennerich) England Jennings
Daughter: Victoria "Tora" Louise England Jennings Glenn
Two ships have been named after Ensign England, USS England DE-635 (1943-1945) and USS England DLG-22 (1963-1994). A barracks at NSTC Great Lakes is also named for him. Alhambra High School continues to award the John C England Award yearly to its most outstanding senior.
**Thanks to Findagrave Volunteer Ron West & the Evergreen Cemetery Benevolent Society for contributing to the biographical information for this memorial.
Ens. England is also remembered on the Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii.∼His remains were never Identified but is listed as one of the approximately 390 unknowns from the USS Oklahoma that have been buried in mass graves at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
Link to mass graves of 389 Crew USS Oklahoma, National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
-------------------------------------------
The USS OKLAHOMA Memorial was dedicated 7 December 2007 on Ford Island in Pearl Harbor. The memorial stands on the shores of Ford Island, next to the former berth of the Oklahoma. Today the USS Missouri museum is moored where the Oklahoma was moored when she was sunk.
The memorial's black granite walls suggest the once formidable hull of the Oklahoma. On the black granite wall is the alphabetical list of each sailor and what row his marble standard is in. When the wall is photographed the marble standards can be seen in the reflection. The white marble standards represent its lost sailors and Marines. Each perfectly aligned marble standard symbolizes an individual in pristine white dress uniform, inspired from the naval tradition of ‘manning the rails.' In full dress whites the ship's crew stand at attention along the rails or in the rigging of the ship to display respect and honor. The marble standards of this memorial stand perfectly straight, ‘manning the rails' of the Oklahoma, forever.
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Inscription
“Who more than self his country loved and mercy more than life.”
