Navy officials escorted members of Frenchs family to his gravesite at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, on San Diegos Point Loma peninsula. Proclamations naming the Benson post office in his uncle's honor are featured on easels in front of the stage. Read the full statement. Change.org Uh oh. French, who moved to Omaha as a teen, first enlisted in the US Navy in 1937. Maybe they can stop naming warships after politicians and go back to naming them after actual heroes? If the latter, the Navy and Marine Corps Medal might have been the most apropos award. Miller received the Navy Cross (the second-highest award for combat valor) and Bell received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal (the highest award for noncombat heroism). Retroactive to 7 December 1941, the criteria and procedure for award of the medal were likely not yet formalized when word of Frenchs heroics came in. We see many examples of prisoners of war being treated with greater dignity than soldiers wearing American uniforms after suffering injuries, physical, emotional, mental, and even watched death. Military.com reports; A movement is gaining steam to recognize a heroic Black sailor from World War II, who towed a raftload of wounded shipmates through shark-infested waters after their ship was sunk in 1942. Join now . French was a swimmer who performed a heroic act that gave others another chance at life. He was a talented carpenter, a skilled handyman, and a master of DIY projects. On September 5, 1942, United States Navy Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French, swam through the night for 6 8 hours pulling a raft of 15 wounded sailors with a rope around his stomach through shark infested waters after the ship on which he was serving, the USS Gregory, was hit by Japanese naval fire near Guadalcanal. For Black History Month 2022 we focused on Health and Wellness in the Black Community. Im proud we could come together to recognize his legacy of service and sacrifice.. After the rescued ensign recounted the story to The Associated Press and on the radio, French became nationally known as the Human Tugboat. He received a heros welcome in his sisters hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. On January 11, 1945, French was serving aboard the USS Bunker Hill, an aircraft carrier that was involved in the Battle of Okinawa. A little more than a week after Thomas first called the Senators office, Kaine wrote letters to President Joe Biden concerning Miller and French. You can read more about the Virginia NAACPs work and our six Game Changer issue areas by visiting NAACPVA.org. Teachers are pumped. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. There was no escape from racism despite putting your life on the line for your country. The Southern.Life is a publication of Emerson Parker Press, which is owned and operated by Jim Harris and his wife, Marian. One member of the 320th would be nominated for the Medal of Honor, an award he would never receive because the nations highest decoration was not given to black soldiers in World War II. There was a problem saving your notification. Category: Historical, Navy, Valor, War Stories, We Remember. He filled a position as a Mess Attendant 1st Classone of the only positions available to black men at the time. Charles Jackson French is another unsung Black veteran who demonstrated extreme heroism after his ship was attacked in the early morning of September 5, 1942. Their orders were to man a curtain of armed balloons meant to deter enemy aircraft. French, who was manning the anti-aircraft guns, was killed in the ensuing explosion, making him one of the first casualties of the battle. Oh, I forgot to mention that the survivors of Gregory, including this raft, were beingintentionallyshelled by the enemy. U.S. Navy Capt. Of the many acts of bravery among the men of Gregory during its final battle (including the mortally wounded skipper ordering his crew to abandon him and help other wounded, never to be seen again) was Charles French. French was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal in recognition of his bravery and combat action. Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French was an American hero who gave his life in service of his country. To see the posts, click here. The Navy mess attendant was credited with swimming for several hours through shark-infested waters while towing a lifeboat filled with wounded shipmates, all of whom were White, until they could be rescued. This is a close as you can get to a system of slavery as it is forced on the service member. As the 10th State Command Chief Master Sergeant of the Virginia Air National Guard, I take great personal pride in supporting French and Millers application for the Medal of Honor. French was a swimmer who performed a. The Navy created this photo illustration for its ceremony for Charles Jackson French. This request was also forwarded to the National NAACP office asking for a resolution to be adopted. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of French's relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. French received a letter of commendation from Admiral Bull Halsey that said; For meritorious conduct in action while serving on board of a destroyer transport which was badly damaged during the engagement with Japanese forces in the British Solomon Islands on September 5, 1942. Frenchs story was soon told by the War Gum Trading Card Company. Charles Jackson French and his sister, Viola, were honored at a Creighton football game in Omaha on Oct. 31, 1942. This button displays the currently selected search type. Phone: 402-444-1186. French finished a four-year Navy tour in November 1941 and was visiting family in Omaha when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. A letter of commendation? He was a true patriot whose dedication and dedication to country served as a model for future generations. The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. He re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor where he was assigned to be a mess attendant. The inaugural Hero of the Heartland event, hosted by UNOs Office of Multicultural Affairs and UNOs Military-Connected Resource Center, honored a World War II hero whose acts have been largely forgotten for decades. 6001 Dodge Street, Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. Charles Jackson (MEng, DIS, MINCOSE) Expand search. A man who served and re-enlisted again when we entered World War II. Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French was an American hero who gave his life in service of his country. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. Correction: This story has been corrected to state that the bill passed by the Senate was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Don Bacon. His wife, Linda, called the event just awesome., It makes you want to cry, she said. Author and Navy veteran Malcolm Nance got the services attention Sunday when he tagged several official accounts in a Twitter post about French. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. As a result, he is an inspiring example of the bravery and commitment of our youth. During this time, the military followed the segregation laws that were prevalent in the nation. He was a generous and kind soul who was always willing to lend a helping hand. He disrobed and with assistance tied the tow rope around his waist and swam what is estimated to be six to eight hours. www.epmcknight.wixsite.epfitspiration Follow me: Tiktok, imdb.me/epmcknight. The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its education programs or activities, including admissions and employment. Hundreds of Blacks were slaughtered and 10,000 left homeless in this largely unknown event. It only took 3 minutes for the ship to sink. French had been hailed as the hero of the Solomon Islands after the sinking of his ship, the USS Gregory, on Sept. 5, 1942, near Guadalcanal. He enlisted in the Navy in 1937 and became a mess attendant, one of the few military jobs open to African Americans in the segregated U.S. armed forces of that era. Who is Ruth McBride Jordan? USA Swimming presented him with a gold medal for winning the gold medal in the mens 8 meter swimming event at the Olympic swimming trials in Omaha in June 2021. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. It is the services highest award for noncombat heroism and the same award presented to Lt. John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the future U.S. president, for bravery under similar circumstances during World War II. The ships first class is the Petty Officer 1st Class. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it. Charles Jackson French is another unsung Black veteran who demonstrated extreme heroism after his ship was attacked in the early morning of September 5, 1942. The Omaha World-Herald reported that Frenchs story was brought back to prominence through a social media post by the International Swimming Hall of Fame. American sailors attempted to separate French from the men he had rescued, but they rebelled, and the American sailors relented. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. While the sailors in the life raft were off the burning ship, they were still in deep trouble. Will you do the same? A 1943 "True Comics" account of the valor of Charles Jackson French after his ship was sunk at Guadalcanal. In 2022, the Navy announced that they would name a pool at their San Diego base in Frenchs honor. The story of Frenchs bravery was celebrated at the time but then largely forgotten for decades. Charles Jackson French was an incredible pioneer in the field of civil engineering. While the ship attempted to fight back, the enemy fire was too much. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. French saved. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. He remembers meeting his uncle during World War II just after the famous rescue and being inspired to learn to swim. We encourage you to share the site on social media. Messman Charles French became a hero to his shipmates after their destroyer USS Gregory (DD-82) was sunk by Imperial Japanese Navy ships on 5 September 1942. The actions of the French will never be forgotten, as will their ultimate sacrifice. Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French swam through shark-infested waters for hours while towing a raft loaded with 15 of his wounded USS Gregory shipmates. This man did as much if not more than a medic often does to save 15 of his comrades from capture, while being actively shelled, in shark infested waters. Yet, history has overlooked him. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. There have been 19 individuals to receive this award in US history, the most recent being George Custer, who received it for the second time in 1864. The Virginia NAACP is focused on being the preeminent voice of Black Virginians and advocating for policies and programs to benefit Blacks and people of color. He had been born on Sept. 25, 1919, in Foreman, Arkansas. He told the story frequently to family and tried for the rest of his life to get Charles Jackson French, the mess attendant, who was from Omaha, the valor award he was denied during the war. Charles Jackson French, an African American orphan, and championship-caliber swimmer navigated shark infested waters for about eight hours during. Well, that was the racism of the times, one has to admit. The story of Charles Jackson French is little known and marred by the inevitable racism that permeates our history in America. After tying him off, French swam through shark infested waters for 6-8 hours until an American landing craft found them. It has been reported that Charles Jackson French simply asked his injured crewmates, Just tell me if Im going the right way. Frenchs example shows that everyone has within themselves the capacity for great bravery. U.S. Navy Capt. Its the kind of narrative that captures your imagination regardless of which side of the aisle you are on., Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia has supported Thomas request. When the sailors were rescued, the Master at Arms attempted to separate French from the men he had just saved. Future Hero of the Heartland events may be held during other heritage months to celebrate heroes among a broad array of diverse ethnic groups. The gunfire hit two of the ships boilers and the Gregory was set ablaze by the fire. C harles Jackson French, a Black Navy swimmer and petty officer finally gets recognition for his courage to save his White teammates during World War II. It took so long.. Still, a letter of commendation is completely inadequate for what French did and I dont buy that this cant be considered combat. French, a strong swimmer since youth, volunteered to swim the boat away from the Japanese island. Took the thoughts right outa my head SFC D. And if the shark had of tried to bite this Hero in those big brass ones, the shark woulda broke off a few teeth. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Its a story of the best of who we are.. Now, 80 years later, the Navy is finally catching up. His story was retold in comic strips and trading cards, and he traveled the country to help sell war bonds before enthusiastic crowds. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. Lets get this HERO the Medal of Honor, Forgotten: The Untold Story of D-days Black Heroes, at Home and at War. After the death of his parents, he lived with his older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. The server is misbehaving. [email protected]; twitter.com/Steve Liewer. We also posted a 5 part mini-series on the 100th anniversary of one of the most horrific massacres in the history of America. Steve is the military affairs reporter for The World-Herald. His family was presented with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal, and a swimming pool used for training at the Naval Base San Diego was dedicated in his honor in May 2022. In May 2022, the Navy finally presented French'srelatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal in recognition of his heroics. French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates through shark-infested waters to safety near Guadalcanal. During the attack on the USS Gregory, a destroyer, he was aboard in 1943. The story of the men who fought and served under trying circumstances. Former Virginia State Conference (Virginia NAACP) President Linda Thomas put forth a resolution for two Black Veterans who should be awarded the Medal of Honor for their committed acts of extreme valor and heroism but were denied consideration solely because of their race. According to the U.S. Navy Press Office, French had moved to Omaha from Arkansas, but re-enlisted in the Navy days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Charles Jackson French (September 25, 1919 - November 7, 1956) was a United States Navy sailor. Though the survivors felt French deserved a Medal of Honor or at least a Silver Star, the Swimming Hall of Fame story states, he never received either. It is a fact that the victors in battle or those in power in peace write the history of past events to support their views of what should have happened versus the cold hard facts. This post office renaming is important to his family, the community of Omaha, and the state of Nebraska. That led to recognition during the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials held in Omaha in 2021. UNOs Hero of the Heartland event continued the long overdue recognition of Frenchs heroism. This sounds horrendous and it was, but it is just one example of the horrors of war that greeted Black soldiers who had risked their lives for their country with the goal of making it an equitable society for all. Racism preventing awarding a medal? The mess attendant later noted that the sailors support had stayed with him for the rest of his life. But after his parents died, he moved to. French received no medal, only a letter of commendation. A Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates. Schomburg dedicated his life to proving that teacher wrong and Schomburg did an amazing job with his collection. Todd Neikirk is a New Jersey-based politics, entertainment and history writer. Award of a Medal of Honor would require congressional intervention, but award of a Navy Cross or a Navy and Marine Corps Medal would not. 1 of 5. To see the full listing of over 250 posts, click on our Blog listWe post weekly, so check often, For Black History Month 2020, we posted daily. The Virginia NAACP is anticipating their favorable response. If you have a story idea, news tip, or other question, please email the UNO News team at [email protected]. Although he demonstrated extreme bravery, instead of the Medal of Honor, all French received was a nice letter from the U. S. Navy. While it is great to receive these honors think how much better it would have been to the generations who were denied knowledge and inspiration from a true hero! When bombs sank the. Brown noted that, with Frenchs name and photo attached to the Navy pool, his story will be told well into the future. Charles Jackson French saved the lives 15 Sailorsall of them whiteby pulling them on a raft behind him as he swam for hours through shark-infested waters. I was happy to see that, as an American Black man, (French) got recognized.. His heroism was recognized in popular culture, though. If they floated ashore, an ensign on the raft later said, they would be taken as prisoners of war, according to an article on the International Swimming Hall of Fames website. Charles French was born on September 25, 1919, in Foreman, Arkansas. You can cancel at any time. He told the story to the Associated Press which he also did on NBC radio program It Happened in the Service., Ensign Robert N. Adrian was awarded the Purple Heart and the man who rescued him got a letter meritorious conduct in action. You gotta be kidding me. Required fields are marked *. The story of Charles Jackson French's valor was told in newspapers, on radio dramas, in comics, on a bubble gum card and on this World War II calendar. You can use a link to tennis shoes to buy a refrigerator or anything else. Charles Jackson French was discharged from the Navy on Nov. 13, 1941, but reenlisted a month later after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. A man willing to fight in defense of his country. Ensign Robert Adrian realized that the currents were pulling the lifeboat back towards a Japanese-held island. Willie was only 11 years old when he received the Medal of Honor during the Civil War, and he was awarded it shortly after his 13th birthday. We, the undersigned, call upon Congress and the President of the United States to correct this travesty and give Petty Officer French the recognition he deserved for his selfless act of bravery. Use our links to Amazon anytime you shop Amazon. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to a Black man. For Black History Month 2021, we focused on Black Medical Achievements, Inventors and Scientists.To see those posts, click here. He was particularly noted for his work on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Maryland, a major engineering feat of its time. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. The French and five other brave sailors swam for up to eight hours to rescue all but eleven of the crew after they were stranded on the sea. We receive a small royalty without cost to you. Information from ISHOF, military.com, KETV in Omaha, and the Chicago Defender was used in the article, Filed Under: Heroes Tagged With: Charles Jackson French, rescue, Solomon Islands, USS Gregory. French would go on to earn the name "The Human Tugboat" and garner immense respect from his fellow military peers. To see these posts, click this link, For Womens History Month 2022 we featured 31 amazing Black women we should all know. A pool used to train rescue swimmers at Naval Base San Diego also was named in Frenchs honor at the ceremony. A Change.org petition also was started Monday, urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of Honor. The VSC NAACP is in full support of Thomass campaign. . Summary of H.R.1251 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): To authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to Doris Miller posthumously for acts of valor while a member of the Navy during World War II. Kind of sounds like it. ** It would seem to me well past the point to review Frenchs case. We're doing our best to get things working smoothly! The mess attended tied a rope around his waist and the boat and began the journey. French was also the only African American to appear on World War II patriotic trading cards issued by GUM, Inc. French was hailed as the hero of the Solomons and the Human Tugboat for his daring rescue of the Pacific during World War II. I know that lots of guys missed out on medals for one reason or another, but for him to be recognized at the time for risking life (from nature) to avoid having his companions killed by direct action or by being taken prisoner of the Japanese and to just get a letter seems more than just an over-site. The waters were shark-infested. Mrs. Thomas requests the Medal of Honor for the following Black Veterans: More than 3500 Medals of Honor have been given out to date, according to the National Medal of Honor Museum, however, less than 100 of those recipients are African-American. The omission remained on the record for more than four decades. Your email address will not be published. Charles French managed to load fifteen injured crew members onto a life raft and then tied a rope to the raft and secured the other end to his waist, after which he swam for eight hours through shark-infested water until they were rescued, but received no recommendation for the Medal of Honor. Itwould ef. Jobs People Learning Dismiss Dismiss. Follow him on Twitter @SteveLiewer. It will inspire generations of sailors, he said. More at the source. From left are Navy public affairs officer Krishna Jackson, Samuel Harris, Chester French Jr., Michael Harris, Linda French, Christopher Harris, Roscoe Harris, Christopher Harris Jr., Mark Harris and Capt. Or even going back to the 90s when a lot of this (blacks finally getting the awards they deserve) started to happen. The event, held Feb. 9, 2023 in UNO's Milo Bail Student Center, honored Petty Officer 1 st Class Charles Jackson French for his tremendous bravery and efforts in World War II. Growing Up and Early Naval Days. Soon after, a bill passed the Nebraska legislature to name an Omaha post office for him. Name a warship after this Hero. Charles Jackson French's draft registration card. A BILL TO NAME A U.S. POST OFCEFI JUST PAST THE U.S. SENATE. His work has been featured in psfk.com, foxsports.com, politicususa.com and hillreporter.com. Charles Jackson French died in 1956 and is buried in Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California. Thems the devils fish. In addition to newspaper and radio accounts, his story was told in bubble gum cards, comic strips, a calendar, even a verse by a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. This whole story violates the laws of physics. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. We depend on your support and thank you for it! The remarkable story of the seven African American soldiers ultimately awarded the World War II Medal of Honor, and the 50-year campaign to deny them their recognition. Inspiring Stories of Black History and Achievement. Little is known of his earliest days. I find it hard to believe that the Admiral would sign a letter of commendation that said that and thought it was the right award, if race did not play a part. 1603) On June 20, 2022, President Biden signed it into law. Miller wasnt the only African-American hero of World War II, though. We know of this story because of the courage demonstrated by Ensign Robert N Adrian, the only officer from the bridge of the Gregory to survive. Charles Denver Barger (June 3, 1892 - November 25, 1936) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in World War I.He earned the medal while serving as a Chauchat automatic rifle gunner during the Meuse-Argonne offensive, when he and another soldier, Jesse N. Funk, entered no man's land despite . Either wouldeasilybe warranted in my opinion. Born in a small town in California, Charles was a man of many talents. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. Social media posts over the weekend began highlighting the story of Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French of Foreman, Arkansas, who became a national hero after the destroyer Gregory was sunk Sept. 5, 1942, by Japanese warships near Guadalcanal. Until an American landing craft found them and combat action, one has to.... 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