The cruiser England was named for Ensign John C. England, who died aboard USS Oklahoma during the attack on Pearl Harbor, rather than for the country. The name had already been carried by the destroyer escort USS England, credited with sinking six Japanese submarines in twelve days in May 1944. Admiral Ernest King responded by promising that there would always be an England in the US Navy. His promise linked personal commemoration with the earlier ship's combat record.
Notable Point · 52:45-53:48
USS England carried an anti-submarine legacy
The ship's name honors Ensign John C. England and also recalls the destroyer escort whose six submarine sinkings inspired Admiral Ernest King's promise to preserve the name.