England II (DLG-22)
1963-1994
The first England (DE-635) was named for Ens. John Charles England, IV, D-V(G), USNR (1920-1941). The second England (DLG-22) was named to perpetuate the name England, for the ship (DE-635) that was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.
(DLG-22: displacement 7,000; length 533'; beam 55' (extreme) ; draft 26' (maximum navigational) ; speed 30+ knots; complement 374; armament 2 twin missile launchers [Terrier], 4 3-inch, ASROC; class Leahy)
The second England (DLG-22) was laid down on 4 October 1960 at San Pedro, Calif., by the Todd Shipyards Corp.; launched on 6 March 1962; sponsored by Mrs. Claire [Lucretia C.] Engel, wife of Senator Donald Engel of California; and commissioned at the Long Beach [Calif.] Naval Shipyard on 7 December 1963, Capt. William J. Caspari in command.
Reclassified as a guided-missile cruiser, CG-22, in July 1975, England was simultaneously decommissioned and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 21 January 1994. She was ultimately disposed-of by dismantling.
England was awarded a Navy Unit Commendation (as DLG-22, 3 January-6 June 1966), two Meritorious Unit Commendations (one as DLG-22, 30 May-3 December 1972; one as CG-22, Desert Shield, 2 August-1 November 1990), two Navy “E” Ribbons (as CG-22, 1 January 1976-30 June 1977 and 1 January 1979-30 June 1980), one Navy Expeditionary Medal (as CG-22, Iran/Indian Ocean, 7 April-6 June 1979), two Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals (as DLG-22, for Vietnam Service, 31 January-2 March 1965 and 12-21 March 1965); seven Vietnam Battle Stars (as DLG-22), Southwest Asia Service Medal (as CG-22, 2 August-3 November 1990), and one Humanitarian Service Medal (as CG-22, 26 July 1979).
Detailed entry pending.
Robert J. Cressman
31 January 2018