Apparently part of the reason that he did not receive an award was that the Navy was reluctant to give him a medal equal or higher to what his ships commander received, and he was killed in the action. You must know this HERO Charles Jackson French, Charles Jackson French survived the destruction of the USS Gregory and then swam for hours dragging a life raft full of his shipmates through Shark infested waters. The mess attendant rescued his fellow crew members in 1942, after their ship was sunk in the Solomon Islands. French was born in Arkansas in 1919, but moved to Omaha as a youth to live with his married older sister, Viola. The nation's hierarchy denied French the Medal of Honor and did not consider him for a Silver Star, two of the highest honors bestowed for such self-sacrificing bravery. On January 11, 1945, French was serving aboard the USS Bunker Hill, an aircraft carrier . Racism preventing awarding a medal? For this heroic action, in saving the lives of 15 US Sailors, Petty Officer French, an African American, recieved little more than a simple letter of commendation in his file. There are some that estimated the time at two hours but in any case, it was a tremendous physical act of courage, keeping in mind that the enemy was still searching for them with the intent of killing them. 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. 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. Copyrighted content researched and produced by DragonDen Productions ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). 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. During World War II Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French swam 68 hours in shark-infested waters near Guadalcanal while towing a life raft with 15 USS Gregory survivors of an attack by the Japanese Imperial Navy. Charles Jackson French, a Black Navy swimmer and petty officer finally gets recognition for his courage to save his White teammates during World War II. 80 years later, Omaha hero who swam in shark-infested waters receives Navy honor. "The country did . French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. The story of Charles Jackson French is little known and marred by the inevitable racism that permeates our history in America. Its a story of the best of who we are.. Future Hero of the Heartland events may be held during other heritage months to celebrate heroes among a broad array of diverse ethnic groups. sliewer@owh.com; twitter.com/Steve Liewer. He remembers meeting his uncle during World War II just after the famous rescue and being inspired to learn to swim. The mess attended tied a rope around his waist and the boat and began the journey. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presents a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Chester French Jr. of Omaha, nephew of Mess Attendant 1st Class Charles Jackson French, and Chesters wife, Linda, on May 21 in San Diego. French was also the only African American to appear on World War II patriotic trading cards issued by GUM, Inc. I nearly peed on myself when one of them sharks [touched] my feet. His own father served in the war, too. French, who moved to Omaha as a teen, first enlisted in the US Navy in 1937. Brown noted that, with Frenchs name and photo attached to the Navy pool, his story will be told well into the future. Todd Neikirk is a New Jersey-based politics, entertainment and history writer. 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. Darn guys a stud. He was recognized locally in September 2022 with the renaming of a Benson post office in his honor. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of French's relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. I read about this on Facebook some time ago. BZ PO1 French! Thomas has also been in communication with other senators and members of Congress asking them to support this effort. Gregory near the Solomon Islands. Kudos to the man that stepped up and saved himself and others from the awful fate of becoming Jap POWs. 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. Omaha, NE, 68182. Note: when French was in the Navy, it was not permitted for there to be Blacks and Whites in the water at the same time. This meant that if there were family members they had to live in ghettos like the general public. French's story first came to light when Robert N. Adrian a young ensign, told a reporter from the Associated Press about how Charles braved the Pacific Ocean to bring the men to . Roughly 15 survivors of the Gregory, some injured, were gathered in a life raft. Their orders were to man a curtain of armed balloons meant to deter enemy aircraft. Soon Frenchs name will be immortalized in Omaha, too. 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. 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. Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. There is no way a man with a set of brass balls the size of what PO1 French possessed could float, let alone tow a raft. After his military service, French developed alcoholism and depression. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. Continue scrolling down for more amazing information, videos, books and value items. Both Miller and French have been highly decorated for their service, but Thomas wants to see them awarded the top honor. Will definitely agree that he earned a higher award than was given. Her husband, Floyd, has served on the Caroline Board of Supervisors for. A man willing to fight in defense of his country. The above summary gives a view of Charles Jackson French, a man who deserves a place in history, but like many Blacks have been excluded. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to a Black man. His story was largely forgotten until Bruce Wigo, a former director of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, unearthed it several years ago. He re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor where he was assigned to be a mess attendant. The award was presented during a ceremony in which a pool used for training Navy rescue swimmers at Naval Base San Diego was renamed in Frenchs honor. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, he noted that part of his job is to make sure that our veterans receive the recognition they deserve for their courage and dedication to our country. Charles will be remembered fondly for his generous spirit, his kind and gentle nature, and the lasting impact he left on those he loved. Your email address will not be published. This whole story violates the laws of physics. He was only referred to as French on the card, though. Charles Jackson French: Hero Without a Medal. Use our links to Amazon anytime you shop Amazon. In his interview with Wright, French described the intense racism he encountered, even after he helped save his shipmates. Itwould ef. French successfully brought the men to safety on the shores of the Solomon Islands. You have permission to edit this article. Charles Jackson French, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 77 on June 17th, 2020. 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. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of Frenchs relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. 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. S. House of Representatives: Demand a Congressional Medal of Honor for Petty Officer Charles Jackson French - Sign the Petition! We encourage you to share the site on social media. Charles Jackson French (on stage, not pictured) led a crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance at the Omaha Auditorium on Nov. 11, 1942, during the city's largest Armistice Day observance since the end of World War I 24 years earlier. UNOs Hero of the Heartland event continued the long overdue recognition of Frenchs heroism. 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. Dorie Miller is the most well-known African American hero of World War II. He was celebrated in the Black press and was even the subject of a syndicated comic strip. Bacon, R-Neb., had written a letter to the acting secretary of the Navy a year ago, asking for a review of Frenchs file to determine whether he had received the proper awards. https://chng.it/F8y8w5n2 via @Change A pool and a letter of commendation dont seem like enough for this true American hero. Thomas is also requesting support from the citizens as well as other groups and veterans organizations to ensure that Mr. Miller and Mr. French are properly recognized for their contributions to this country by making phone calls or sending letters to members of congress and the senate. 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. Keith Station, deputy chief of staff for diversity, equity, & inclusion for the City of Omaha, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. 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). After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. Schomburg dedicated his life to proving that teacher wrong and Schomburg did an amazing job with his collection. Will you do the same? After the death of his parents, he lived with an older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. He also had a passion for gardening and was an avid reader. It would seem to me well past the point to review Frenchs case. But French said he wasnt afraid. Bill to honor World War II hero Charles Jackson French at Omaha post office signed into law Updated: 6:46 PM CDT Jun 15, 2022 Infinite Scroll Enabled KETV Staff Report Show Transcript. Ted Carlson, commander of Naval Base San Diego. But after his parents died, he moved to. Rep. Don Bacon Honors Navy Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French, Immortal Valor: The Black Medal of Honor Winners of World War II. 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. German prisoners of war were allowed to ride with White soldiers while the Black fighters were relegated to open, drafty, smelly cattle cars. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. 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. The Virginia NAACP is anticipating their favorable response. French swam against the current for between six and eight hours. To see these posts, click this link, For Womens History Month 2022 we featured 31 amazing Black women we should all know. The Hero of the Heartland event will honor additional local heroes in the coming years. The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. They were spotted and rescued by friendly forces when racism reared its ugly head. In San Diego in 2022, French's family was presented with his posthumous Navy and Marine Corps medal. He was born in Foreman, Arkansas on September 25, 1919. The story of Frenchs bravery was celebrated at the time but then largely forgotten for decades. I say MOH. 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. Another of Frenchs nephews, 89-year-old Roscoe Harris of Omaha, also attended, along with two of his own sons and three of his grandsons. I was happy to see that, as an American Black man, (French) got recognized.. French like so many Black men believed that if they showed they were willing to fight for the country that the country would show them and people of their race some gratitude and equality only to return to the same situation they were fighting against. Category: Historical, Navy, Valor, War Stories, We Remember. Despite the fact that more than one million African Americans served, not a single Black soldier received the Medal of Honor. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. Chester French, nephew of Charles Jackson French, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. There is a campaign requesting a Congressional Medal of Honor is awarded to French. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it. Did Charles Jackson French receive the Medal of Honor? Benjamin Selph echoed Lis remarks, encouraging those in attendance to take inspiration from Frenchs courageous act. During his service, he received a letter of commendation from the commander of the Southern Pacific Fleet, Adm. William F. Halsey, Jr. Born in a small town in California, Charles was a man of many talents. 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. This denied qualified service members training that could be used after the military. He exemplified our core values and faced adversity with unwavering grit and selflessness. ** These are the least desired jobs possible and beneath the White troops. On Thursday, a billto rename the Benson postal facility at 6223 Maple St. the Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French Post Office cleared the Senate by a unanimous vote. French was a swimmer who performed a heroic act that gave others another chance at life. Several San Diego Navy leaders spoke. We're doing our best to get things working smoothly! If the latter, the Navy and Marine Corps Medal might have been the most apropos award. Im glad I waited til the evening to read this, its beer:30 hours at Fort Roh-Dog and this cold one is hoisted to the deeds of Messman Charles French. You can cancel at any time. Chester French, nephew of Charles Jackson French, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. Hundreds of Blacks were slaughtered and 10,000 left homeless in this largely unknown event. Although he demonstrated extreme bravery, instead of the Medal of Honor, all French received was a nice letter from the U. S. Navy. 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. French was a swimmer who performed a. 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. Adrian retired from the Navy in 1966 and died in 2011, without succeeding. (H.R. A 1943 "True Comics" account of the valor of Charles Jackson French after his ship was sunk at Guadalcanal. French was an African American serving at a time when prejudice and discrimination were ever-present in our Armed Forces and society, said Capt. Steve is the military affairs reporter for The World-Herald. Who is Ruth McBride Jordan? Japanese destroyers sank the ship he was on, the USS Gregory, in the South Pacific in September 1942. GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS You can read more about the Virginia NAACPs work and our six Game Changer issue areas by visiting NAACPVA.org. French, who was manning the anti-aircraft guns, was killed in the ensuing explosion, making him one of the first casualties of the battle. If you have a story idea, news tip, or other question, please email the UNO News team at unonews@unomaha.edu. The injustices of 1940s Jim Crow America are brought to life in this extraordinary blend of military and social history, an account that pays tribute to the valor of an all-black battalion whose crucial contributions at D-day have gone unrecognized to this day. It is time to honor those who deserve honor! 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. The International Swimming Hall of Fame had this painting created of French, one of the most famous Black heroes of World War II. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. French volunteered to tow the raft to another island that was safer, however, these were shark infested waters and those on board the raft attempted to talk French out of the mission, but he believed that death by shark would at least be quick and merciful. This post office renaming is important to his family, the community of Omaha, and the state of Nebraska. Change.org Uh oh. Charles Jackson French is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. His work has been featured in psfk.com, foxsports.com, politicususa.com and hillreporter.com. He is shown here later in his career, as a lieutenant commander. After he began swimming, he soon encountered sharks. Now, 80 years later, the Navy is finally catching up. Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. His innovative methods of construction and design, along with his exceptional organizational skills, made him a highly sought-after engineer across the United States. During World War II, he served as a U.S. sailor. A letter of commendation? Continue for more information on the site and posts that may be of interest. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. U.S. Navy sailor Charles Jackson French saved 15 shipmates by dragging a life raft through shark-infested waters after the Japanese sank the USS Gregory in 1942. . The bravery that he demonstrated serves as a reminder of the sacrifices that can be made at any age. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. In March of 1942, French was assigned to the USS Gregory (APD-3). Bonus- The Story of Charles Jackson French. My interest in improving aerodynamic efficiency in airplanes, cars, ships, and energy conversion devices led me to open this blog based on my expertise and desire to improve aerodynamic efficiency. French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates through shark-infested waters to safety near Guadalcanal. The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. Benjamin Selph shares recognition for Charles Jackson French on behalf of the Navy. Omahans during World War II knew a strong-swimming, shark-defying, human tugboat of a hero when they saw one, regardless of the color ofCha, An African American sailor from Omaha was hailed as a hero during World War II for swimming through shark-infested waters to rescue his wounde, The full House approved HR 4168 to rename the facility at 6223 Maple St. the Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French Post Office., The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency said identifications of the 92nd Infantry members, known as "Buffalo Soldiers," have beendifficult beca, Lt. Vernon Baker of Clarinda, Iowa, is part of a series of graphic novels about recipients of the Medal of Honor, the nations highest award f, A 36-year Air Force missile and space officer has been nominated as the next commander of Offutt-based U.S. Strategic Command, the Pentagon an, Eighty years ago, Nebraska set the pace for the nation in launching a scrap metal drive to support the World War II effort. 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Kudos to the man that stepped up and saved himself and swam for more information on the Board..., Arkansas the state of Nebraska to proving that teacher wrong and schomburg did an amazing job with his older... Officer Charles Jackson French after his parents died, he moved to presented eight of Frenchs relatives a. Be a mess attendant, the USS Bunker Hill, an aircraft carrier fight in defense of his parents,... And hillreporter.com, entertainment and history writer and French have been the most famous Black heroes of World War,. Alerts you can read more about the Virginia NAACPs work and our six Changer... Forces and society, said Capt and selflessness ALL RIGHTS RESERVED waist and the state of Nebraska in Diego.
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