John Charles England (1920 - 1941)

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

by: MSB

75 years after the attack his remains were identified and he was reburied in Colorado Springs next to his parents.

by: Joe Todd