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USS England DE-635

Photo: Damage from a "Kamikaze" hit received off Okinawa on 9 May 1945.  This view, taken at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, on 24 July 1945, shows the port side of the forward superstructure, near where the suicide plane struck.  Note scoreboard painted on the bridge face, showing her Presidential Unit Citation pennant and symbols for the six Japanese submarines and three aircraft credited to England. Also note fully provisioned life raft at right.
Official US Navy Photograph, National Archives. Photo #: 80-G-336949

The record written by England is unsurpassed in the annals of antisubmarine warfare. In the last two weeks of May, 1944, England destroyed six Japanese submarines: I-16, RO-106, RO-104, RO-116, RO-108 and RO-105. She was award the Presidential Unit Citation. 

Less than one year later, 9 May 1945, England was severely damaged by a Japanese kamikaze attack. The casualties were severe with 37 crewmembers lost.  Read the names on the Roll of Honor

After a difficult 13,000 mile journey home, she entered the Navy Yard in Philadelphia with her devastated foward section, the crew lining the rails at attention and Old Glory snapping jauntily from her mast. Her charred bridge still showing the scoreboard painted on the bridge face announcing her Presidential Unit Citation pennant and symbols for the six Japanese submarines and three aircraft credited to her service. 

England was decommissioned on 15 October 1945, but her name will never be erased from the history of naval warfare.

Presidential Unit Citation

The President of the United States has presented the Presidential Unit Citation to the USS ENGLAND for service as set forth in the following citation:

"For outstanding performance in combat against enemy forces from May 19 to 31, 1944. Utilizing to the full all available weapons and equipment the USS ENGLAND skillfully coordinated her attacks with other vessels and with cooperating aircraft, striking boldly and with exceptional precision at the enemy. In a sustained series of attacks, she destroyed six hostile ships within twelve days effecting this devastating blow to enemy operations during a particularly crucial period and disrupting attempts by the enemy to supply or evacuate key units. By this heavy loss to the enemy the ENGLAND contributed substantially to unmolested advance of the United States Fleet pointing toward subsequent seizure and occupation by our forces. A gallant and daring fighter, superbly ready ready combat, the ENGLAND has achieved an outstanding record of success, reflecting the highest credit upon her gallant officers and men and the United States Naval Service."

USS ENGLAND DE 635

A12-1(2)                                          DESTROYERS, PACIFIC FLEET

Serial: 01744

29 August 1944

CONFIDENTIAL
 

From:           Commander Destroyers, Pacific Fleet.
To :               All Destroyers, Destroyer Escorts, Patrol Frigates, Pacific Fleet, CruDiv 11.

Subject:       Anti-Submarine Actions, Most Outstanding in Pacific.

Enclosure:   (A) Summation of A/S contacts made 19 - 31 May 1944.
                     (B) Brief Narratives of A/S Actions 19 - 31 Nay 1944.
                     (C) Brief of Tactics used in A/S Actions.

1. During the period of 18 - 31 May 1944, the U.S.S. ENGLAND (DE635), while participating in an anti-submarine hunt, successfully engaged six Japanese Submarines. Her outstanding performance in each of these actions was responsible for making it the most outstanding and most successful anti-submarine hunt in the II Pacific to date. The assessments of damage to the enemy have been made and will be printed in the next U.S.F. Monthly Anti-Submarine Bulletin.

2. It is doubted whether any other ship in this or any other war, has produced such a record. This record was attained only by excellent teamwork and high proficiency on the part of all concerned.

3. Although circumstances placed the ENGLAND repeatedly in the most advantageous position for attack, she obtained hits whether first or last to engage the enemy. On contacts considered to be a definite submarine she obtained seven hits out of thirteen salvoes of hedge hogs (Mark 10 projector) fired. This performance is a challenge to any anti-submarine ship of the Navy, and will always stand high among the traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

4. The results of the anti-submarine actions of the ENGLAND clearly demonstrate the efficiency of this ship and the attack team as a whole. However, the following observations are noteworthy and tend to nullify any impression that such a performance can be attributed to anything but a high degree of proficiency, only attainable by intelligent training.

a. The Commanding Officer and the Executive Officer interchanged duties as coning
    officers and both obtained hits.
b. The Sound Officer operated the range recorder on all attacks.
c. Three different soundmen participated as sound operator. During the attacks, one
    soundman obtained one salvo hit, one obtained three salvo hits, and the third
    obtained three salvo hits.
d. Two officers and one chief petty officer rotated in plotting attacks on DRT
e. The only material casualties were the failure of two Mk 10 projector charges. Out of
     fifteen salvoes from the projector with full pattern each time, there was only one salvo
     with any duds. In this salvo one charged failed to leave projector and one blew off its
     tail assembly and had an erratic flight.
f.  Standard anti-submarine doctrine was used.

5. The GEORGE,(DE697) (ComCortDiv 39, O.T.C.), the ENGLAND (DE635), (ComCortDiv-40), and the RABY (DE698), with the SPANGLER (DE696) joining them during the period 26-31 May 1944 and the HAZELWOOD (DD531) contacting and participating in the last contact on 30 May 1944, composed the forces participating in these actions. The coordination and the teamwork of these ships were excellent and contributed to success of these operations against the enemy.

6. Enclosure (A) is forwarded herewith to summarize the actions and ENGLAND's performance. Enclosure (B) is forwarded to give a brief outline of the actions. Enclosure (C) gives a brief discussion of the tactics used by the hunter-killer group.

                                                                                                           J.L KAUFFMAN
 

DISTRIBUTION: (9N-44).
         List I, C, Case 2
         CruDiv 11. '


JOHN J. WAYBRIGHT,
Flag Secretary.

Document provided by webmaster Dennis O'Brien, USS England web site.

[ USS England DE 635 ] [ Sinking of RO 501 ] [ Sinking of U 66 ] [ Sinking of U 233 ] [ Sinking of U 490 ] [ Capture of U 505 ] [ Sinking of U 515 ] [ Sinking of U 518 ] [ Sinking of U 546 ] [ Sinking of U 548 ] [ Sinking of U 550 ] [ Sinking of U 853 ] [ Sinking of U 866 ] [ Sinking U 869 ] [ Capture of U 873 ] [ Sinking of U 1062 ]

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