Library

The library contains "notes" from crew members, articles from various newspapers and magazines and written histories histories of the USS England DE-635. denotes new item added in the last update to this page.

CAPT. John Alexander Williamson 1918-2004 Obituary
Commander Destroyers, Pacific Fleet, 29 August 1944 Report. A very detailed and interesting report on the actions of USS ENGLAND, USS RABY, USS GEORGE, USS SPANGLER and USS HAZELWOOD during the time USS ENGLAND sunk six submarines in May of 1944. This included three "enclosures" which provide the details.
World War II Magazine, January 1997 Article on USS England DE-635.
I-Boat Captain - Chapter 15, describing the impact of USS England's sinking of six submarines on the Japanese war strategy. An amazing look from the other side.
Down Fall of the I-Boats, American Legion Magazine, December 1980, Article about Japanese submarine use in world Ward II that discusses USS England.
Launching of a Legacy, an article from Trail-Plus, January 21, 1994, on the occasion of the decommissioning of CG-22. It has information about DE-635 and John C. England.
The Twelve Days of England by Captain Williamson. This is an excellent first hand account of the the events surrounding the sinking of the six submarines. Captain Williamson was XO at the time of the submarine sinkings and later CO of the ship.
Memorial Service - the memorial for those who lost their lives on board USS England.
Calvin T. Ward's 1944 Notebook - These are the notes that Calvin Ward took while on board the USS England in 1944.
Harry Roy's Notes - These are the notes Harry Roy took during May of 1944.
1947 Navy Department document with much detail of the history of USS England. This has been updated with pictures and maps for this web site and is the most detailed overall history of the ship.
Pasadena Post Article about J.C. England and DE-635.
World War II Magazine Article from1997 detailing the history of DE-635.
True Magazine 1956 article - A detailed account of the events of late May 1944 that made the USS England famous.
A 1947 Proceedings article about DE-635 and the military importance of her accomplishments in May of 1944.
DANFS DE-635 History - A short history of DE-635.
Long Beach Press Telegram January 3, 1964 Article - Covers DE-635 history and crew member visit to the new DLG-22 USS England.

DID YOU KNOW?

Six of the original soundmen on board DE-635 came out of the ASW Training Center in San Diego. The senior of the group was John Prock SoM2c. The rest were all 3^rd class. John Prock was on the sound gear for most of the ASW runs for which the 635 became well known. Years later, a modern enlisted men�s barracks was built at the old training center and named Prock Hall. There is also a building on the base called the England Building.

Recommended Reading

Antisubmarine Warrior In The Pacific: Six Subs Sunk In Twelve Days

Antisubmarine Warrior In The Pacific: Six Subs Sunk In Twelve Days by John A. Williamson is the story of his life as it pertains to gaining knowledge about antisubmarine tactics and the Navy and how that applied to USS England's (DE-635) success in May of 1944. He also includes many personal stories that round out the book which is written very similar to how John Williamson told his stories in person. He was a wonderful man, articulate and caring and his men adored him. The centerpiece of the book is the sinking of the six submarines in May of 1944 in the Pacific Theater of World War II. He describes the roles of all involved from his own perspective. The book also details the kamikaze attack during the Okinawa campaign that removed USS England from the war. He tells of his early days in the Navy, his social life, his training, the "Williamson Turn" and many days at sea providing the reader with the whole picture of the time and events. This book is one of the most important writings about USS England (DE-635) and is a must read for all who love history. It has been nominated by Sea Classic magazine as book of the year and is available though Amazon.Com or via The University of Alabama Press or call (773) 568-1550.

I-Boat Captain by Zenji Orita (with Joseph D. Harrington) tells his story from a boy fascinated with the Navy to the life of a Japanese submarine captain. Written in 1976, this book also provided details showing the Japanese side of the war and various battles. Chapter 15, presented here, describes the feats of USS England DE-635 and their affects on the war.

The book is no longer in print but can be found on the used book market. It is a great book and highly recommended.
Reviewed by the Webmaster

Anatomy of the Ship The Destroyer Escort England by Al Ross offer details of the USS England all all Buckley Class escorts, with drawings, details on weapons, population and other items. It offers a quick history of DE-635. This book offers the model builder details necessary to build DE-635 and many of the other Buckley class ships. - Reviewed by the Webmaster

Anatomy of the Ship Destroyer Escort England, Al Ross, Conway Maritime Press Ltd., ISBN 0 85177 3257. 98 Pages.

The Buckley Class Destroyer Escorts by Bruce Hampton Franklin is an excellent resource for details about the Buckley class ships. These ships served in both theaters in Word War II for both the American and British navies. The book covers all major events in which a Buckley class DE participated. There are pictures and short histories of all 154 ships and all of the statistical data about this class available. The England is mentioned in several places in the book, but the strength of the book is in the over all view of the Buckley class. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in these ships, their contribution to the war effort and the years following. - Reviewed by the Webmaster

The Buckley class Destroyer Escorts, Bruce Hampton Franklin, Naval Institute Press (http://www.usni.org), ISBN 1-55750-280-3, 210 pages. Available on http://www.amazon.com.