Robert Henry English was born on January 16th 1888 in Warrenton, Georgia. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy class of 1911,and became a submariner early in his career. He won the Navy Cross for heroism in rescuing an officer who was trapped after an explosion in the O-5 (SS-66), while he was commanding the O-4 (SS-65) in 1917.
As commander of the USS Helena (CL-50), he was one of the first to bring his ship into action during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th 1941. He became commander of the Submarines in the US Pacific Fleet on May 14th 1942. On January 21st 1943 he was killed during a plane crash in California.
The USS English (DD-696), an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, was named in his honor.
Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!