Two US Navy Vessels were named after Ensign John Charles England, a former PJC cheerleader, who gave his life attempting to save men trapped below on the USS Oklahoma, during the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. In 1943 a record-breaking destroyer escort was named in his honor; DE-635, followed in 1963 by a second USS England, the powerful guided missile frigate; DLG-22 / CG-22

John Charles England was born in Harris, Mo., on December 11, 1920. His family then moved to Alhambra, Ca. He attended Pasadena Junior College in 1940, was a Yell King on the Pep Commission, a member of the Players Guild, were he was in the cast of their annual fall presentation of, "Bachelor Born". J.C. was also a member of Delta Psi Omega, a national honorary dramatics fraternity which he acted in their annual spring production, "Outward Bound". J.C. graduated in spring, 1940. He enlisted in the Naval Reserve on September 6, 1940 and was commissioned ensign on June 6, 1941. On September 3, 1941 he reported for duty on the USS Oklahoma. Ensign John Charles England lost his life attempting to save men trapped below on the USS Oklahoma. during the Japanese attach on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941

Stanger, McBride! England, Fallis New Yell Kings

J.C. England Yell King, on the left side

After several retrials and much deliberation on the part of the judges, four yell leaders were chosen for next year. Two of these, Slick Fallis of west campus and Dave McBride of east campus, will be new to the job; the other two, John England and Norm Stanger, both of east campus, were yell kings last year.

The song leaders' trials turned into a major beauty contest as 18 coeds vieds for the coveted honor. After careful consideration, the judges, chose Jean Lindsay, Lorraine Couert, Dottie Young, Randaline Voss, and Jerry Beckman for next year's song leaders. Dottie Young was the only girl from west campus in the contest.

Trying out for yell leader positions were John Krenz and John England, an east campus team of former yell leaders; Bill Humphrey and Karl Keeler, another east campus team; and Bob Mardian, west campus, and Norm Stanger, east campus.

Competing alone were Bob Eastman, east campus; Bob Menning, east campus; Jerry Hawes, east campus; Bob Thompson, South Pasadena high school; Bob McCarthy, east campus; Don Barry, east campus; Slick Fallis, west campus; and Dave McBride, east campus.'

Those competing in the song leaders contest were Claire Carter, Jean Lindsay, Jean Scott, Elaine Bricker, Lorrane Gouert, Dottie Young, Randaline Voss, Jayne Terry, Dale Fleming, Virginia Scott, Pat Leefedlt, Jerry Beckman, Ellen Hooker, Marjorie Menning, Laurie Boyle, Helen Savory, Dot Colwell and Wanda McCrillis.

from PJC Chronicle June 7, 1940