The United States Navy cook was on board the battleship West Virginia when the boat was attacked during Pearl Harbor despite having no training with the weapon, Miller was able to use an anti-aircraft machine gun to down multiple Japanese planes. Author and Navy veteran Malcolm Nance got the services attention Sunday when he tagged several official accounts in a Twitter post about French. To see these posts, click this link, For Womens History Month 2022 we featured 31 amazing Black women we should all know. French became famous after his commander, Ensign Robert Adrian, told the story on a radio program broadcast across the country. 6001 Dodge Street, Itwould ef. He was responsible for the development and construction of hundreds of public works projects during his career. The story of Charles Jackson French is little known and marred by the inevitable racism that permeates our history in America. He deserves a higher award, and a destroyer named in his honor. It took so long.. I think I would lean toward Medal of Honor just based on what I read here, but Im sure the details would sway me one way or the other. 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. He re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor where he was assigned to be a mess attendant. A Change.org petition also was started Monday, urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of Honor. Days later, he went down to his local recruitment office and reenlisted. The Southern.Life is a publication of Emerson Parker Press, which is owned and operated by Jim Harris and his wife, Marian. To comment or make suggestions on future posts, use Contact Us. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Don Bacon,cleared the House of Representatives in March. 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 was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. 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. In this story can be found the heretofore-unwritten chapters of one phase of the Negroes march toward freedom in America, written by a man who participated in it. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. 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. Adrian retired from the Navy in 1966 and died in 2011, without succeeding. U . He had been born on Sept. 25, 1919, in Foreman, Arkansas. 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. Charles will be remembered fondly for his generous spirit, his kind and gentle nature, and the lasting impact he left on those he loved. A man discriminated against by the country that he loved, was willing to put his life on the line for. 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. Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. 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. The night that propelled Charles Jackson French into the role of hero was September 5, 1942, when enemy bombs sank the U.S.S. A pool and a letter of commendation dont seem like enough for this true American hero. You gotta be kidding me. Born in a small town in California, Charles was a man of many talents. 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. His own father served in the war, too. Required fields are marked *. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. German prisoners of war were allowed to ride with White soldiers while the Black fighters were relegated to open, drafty, smelly cattle cars. When he is not sitting in front of a laptop, Todd enjoys soaking up everything the Jersey Shore has to offer with his wife, two sons and American Foxhound, Wally. 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. I got the hell scared outta me, French told Chester Wright, author of the 2009 book Black Men and Blue Water, in an interview after the Korean War. Well, that was the racism of the times, one has to admit. French was honored at the U.S. Olympic swim trials in 2021. A man willing to fight in defense of his country. 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. Perhaps racism played a role in French not receiving proper recognition. 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. 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. It seems a travesty that he never received a medal after such a courageous single-handed act of bravery saving 15 men. . The living quarters were strictly segregated as was housing for family members. We remember Charles Jackson French, winner of the Navy medal, who swam through the Pacific after his vessel sunk in WWII. Thomas has also been in communication with other senators and members of Congress asking them to support this effort. When Is The Best Time To Buy First Class Airline Tickets? 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! 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. It is the service's highest award for noncombat heroism . https://chng.it/F8y8w5n2 via @Change Oh, I forgot to mention that the survivors of Gregory, including this raft, were beingintentionallyshelled by the enemy. Charles Jackson French was a Navy Mess Specialist 1st Class Petty Officer the night the USS Gregory (APD 3) was sunk by Japanese destroyers during the Battle of Guadalcanal. Since they were taking direct fire, Id feel the Navy Cross the more appropriate of the two. Weeks later, he told the story of a heroic mess attendant named "French" who towed a raft full of about 15 wounded sailors including Adrian all night through shark-filled waters until they were rescued. 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. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. A Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. The waters were shark-infested. The New York Times best-selling story from the author of The Good Lord Bird, winner of the 2013 National Book Award for Fiction. 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. Change.org Uh oh. Continue to scroll for fascinating Videos and Books to enhance your learning experience. Steve is the military affairs reporter for The World-Herald. Read the full statement. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. During the battle, the Bunker Hill was struck by two kamikaze planes which caused the ship to suffer a massive explosion. Several San Diego Navy leaders spoke. I like TOWs suggestion too. There was a problem saving your notification. American sailors attempted to separate French from the men he had rescued, but they rebelled, and the American sailors relented. 1603) On June 20, 2022, President Biden signed it into law. French was the first black swimmer to earn the Navy Medal for his heroism in 1943. Did Charles Jackson French receive the Medal of Honor? He pulled off his clothes, had his shipmates help tie a rope around his waist, and dove into the water. We encourage you to share the site on social media. 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. Kind of sounds like it. When Adrian told him that the swim would be arduous and the water was full of sharks, French responded that he was more afraid of the Japanese than he was of the sharks. Aside: f*ck sharks. Charles Jackson French was discharged from the Navy on Nov. 13, 1941, but reenlisted a month later after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. While the sailors in the life raft were off the burning ship, they were still in deep trouble. You are now armed with knowledge, but for a deeper dive, continue to scroll down and watch amazing videos of French and books to allow for greater understanding. UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, speaks to the bravery and courage of Charles Jackson French at the Hero of the Heartland event. A Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates. French had only been out of the Navy for a couple of months when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. The ships first class is the Petty Officer 1st Class. The story of Charles Jackson French's World War II valor was told and retold, especially in Black newspapers. The ensign told French the plan was crazy, that they were surrounded by sharks and he would only get himself killed. Join now . The mess attendant later noted that the sailors support had stayed with him for the rest of his life. The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) launched a new series to recognize the courage and heroic deeds of the heroes who call the Omaha area home. This meant that if there were family members they had to live in ghettos like the general public. French was a swimmer who performed a heroic act that gave others another chance at life. 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. 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. It only took 3 minutes for the ship to sink. 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. He was awarded both the Army and Navy Medal of Honor, the French Mdaille militaire and Croix de Guerre as well as decorations from Italy, Montenegro and Portugal. S. House of Representatives: Demand a Congressional Medal of Honor for Petty Officer Charles Jackson French - Sign the Petition! The story of men who served their country when to do so was to endure, or to appear to accept the humiliating admission of ones own inferiority. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it. All DragonDen media is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. Maybe they can stop naming warships after politicians and go back to naming them after actual heroes? 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 event, held Feb. 9, 2023 in UNOs Milo Bail Student Center, honored Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French for his tremendous bravery and efforts in World War II. French, who moved to Omaha as a teen, first enlisted in the US Navy in 1937. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to . 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. You can cancel at any time. Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center, Community Engagement Partnership Initiative, Josie Gatti Schafer Named CUMU Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Research Fellow, #NUforNE: Keeping Nebraska Communities Healthy, Social Mobility, Experiential Learning Focus of Interview with UNO Chancellor Li, University of Nebraska Omaha, During World War II, he served as a U.S. sailor. The International Swimming Hall of Fame had this painting created of French, one of the most famous Black heroes of World War II. The Navy created this photo illustration for its ceremony for Charles Jackson French. 80 years later, Omaha hero who swam in shark-infested waters receives Navy honor. No medal. 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. He was born in Foreman, Arkansas on September 25, 1919. The VSC NAACP is in full support of Thomass campaign. Rep. Don Bacon Honors Navy Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French, Immortal Valor: The Black Medal of Honor Winners of World War II. Dismiss. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. In May 2022, the Navy finally presented French'srelatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal in recognition of his heroics. (H.R. Inaction has been a great injustice to the goodly Sergeants bravery and sacrifice, for him and his Troops. Roughly 15 survivors of the Gregory, some injured, were gathered in a life raft. 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. Charles Jackson French, an African American orphan and champion-caliber swimmer, navigated shark-infested waters for about eight hours during World War II on a frigid September 1942 night to pull to safety a raft of 15 sailors. 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 denied qualified service members training that could be used after the military. His wife, Linda, called the event just awesome., It makes you want to cry, she said. Charles Jackson French and his sister, Viola, were honored at a Creighton football game in Omaha on Oct. 31, 1942. Story\Experience 43 comments 100% Upvoted This thread is archived New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast Sort by: best He was a talented carpenter, a skilled handyman, and a master of DIY projects. He told Adrian, Just keep telling me if Im going the right way. Once daylight broke, the raft was spotted by a scout plane, and a landing crew was sent out to rescue them. Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French was an American hero who gave his life in service of his country. These are the least desired jobs possible and beneath the White troops. During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. After his military service, French developed alcoholism and depression. French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates through shark-infested waters to safety near Guadalcanal. . 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. Charles Jackson French saved 15 men from the USS Gregory in September of 1942. Thems the devils fish. Continue for more information on the site and posts that may be of interest. The mess attendant rescued his fellow crew members in 1942, after their ship was sunk in the Solomon Islands. You can use a link to tennis shoes to buy a refrigerator or anything else. Charles Jackson French was an incredible pioneer in the field of civil engineering. Lets get this HERO the Medal of Honor, Forgotten: The Untold Story of D-days Black Heroes, at Home and at War. This is his jaw-dropping story. Follow him on Twitter @SteveLiewer. He was a generous and kind soul who was always willing to lend a helping hand. Inspiring Stories of Black History and Achievement. Both Miller and French have been highly decorated for their service, but Thomas wants to see them awarded the top honor. Notably, the letter reduced the hours French spent swimming from six-eight to two. 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. Although he demonstrated extreme bravery, instead of the Medal of Honor, all French received was a nice letter from the U. S. Navy. To see the posts, click here. To see the posts, click here. More at the source. Yeah, I know, not with this illegitimate regime in place. The ship sailed on the Pacific Ocean heading towards Guadalcanal. French was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal in recognition of his bravery and combat action. Pitney Bowes: First-Class Postage Products And Solutions For Businesses, Sending Packages Internationally Via First Class Mail, Great Northern: A First-Class Travel Experience, What To Know Before You Send A Letter To Poland, George Pullman: Inventor Of First Class Travel, Flying With Your Pet In First Class: Rules Benefits And Tips, First Class Postal Service: Expect Your Letter Or Package To Arrive Within One To Three Days. His bravery and selfless devotion to duty will always be remembered and serve as an example to all who serve in the United States military. 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Within days, French, 22, reenlisted. After the death of his parents, he lived with an older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of Frenchs relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. 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. Soon Frenchs name will be immortalized in Omaha, too. sliewer@owh.com; twitter.com/Steve Liewer. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. 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. That inquiry helped bring about last weeks award ceremony. 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. We receive a small royalty without cost to you. On November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California, Charles Jackson French, 37 at the time, died. 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 . Aboard a lift raft with several other sailors and drifting towards enemy-held islands, French volunteered to tow the raft himself by swimming. Generations of Sailors will train [at the pool] and never forget the values and legacy of such a brave American hero.. In 2011, the National Board of the NAACP passed a resolution requesting the Medal Of Honor for Doris (Dorie) Miller. 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. In 1945, when Congress began reviewing the record of the most conspicuous acts of courage by American soldiers during World War II, they recommended awarding the Medal of Honor to 432 recipients. 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. 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. Darn guys a stud. Charles Jackson French is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California. French was a swimmer who performed a. Sergeant Major Ernest August Janson (August 17, 1878 - May 14, 1930) was a United States Marine who was highly decorated for his heroic actions in World War I. It was amplified on social media in spring 2021, prompting USA Swimming to honor him during the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials in Omaha last June. The Navy dedicated a pool there to French. Hundreds of Blacks were slaughtered and 10,000 left homeless in this largely unknown event. 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. 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. Its a story of the best of who we are.. Will you do the same? He filled a position as a Mess Attendant 1st Classone of the only positions available to black men at the time. French was also the only African American to appear on World War II patriotic trading cards issued by GUM, Inc. 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. Growing Up and Early Naval Days. U.S. Navy Capt. Use our links to Amazon anytime you shop Amazon. Charles Jackson French died in 1956 and is buried in Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California. On January 11, 1945, French was serving aboard the USS Bunker Hill, an aircraft carrier . 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. 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. He was a powerful swimmer and towed the raft for somewhere between six and eight hours throughout the night, until a landing craft discovered and rescued them. This activity includes urging President Biden to posthumously confer the Medals of Honor on Doris Miller and Charles French.. 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. The story of the men who fought and served under trying circumstances. A pool used to train rescue swimmers at Naval Base San Diego also was named in Frenchs honor at the ceremony. You can read more about the Virginia NAACPs work and our six Game Changer issue areas by visiting NAACPVA.org. Omaha hailed hometown hero Charles Jackson French back in 1942, when the African American mess steward saved the lives of his shipmates after their destroyer was sunk in the World War II battle of the Solomon Islands. French was a swimmer who performed a. We also did a mini-series on the Schomburg Center for Research a most amazing collection of Black history and culture. On September 5, 1942, U.S. Navy Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French navigated through shark-infested waters with a rope around his waist, towing 15 wounded sailors to safety from. 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. 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He quickly went to work pulling other sailors aboard with him. His story was largely forgotten until Bruce Wigo, a former director of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, unearthed it several years ago. Nothing of value. They were spotted and rescued by friendly forces when racism reared its ugly head. charles jackson french swam 6-8 hours in 1942nd a saved 15 of his crewmates and died in 1956. The gunfire hit two of the ships boilers and the Gregory was set ablaze by the fire. 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. GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS Virginia NAACP President Robert Barnette was pleased to have his Executive Committee give its unanimous support to Mrs. Thomas effort. During the attack on the USS Gregory, a destroyer, he was aboard in 1943. Who is Ruth McBride Jordan? Charles Jackson French: Hero Without a Medal. He had first enlisted in the Navy in 1937 [1] and had completed his enlistment, moving to Omaha, Nebraska where he had family. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. But after his parents died, he moved to. The mess attended tied a rope around his waist and the boat and began the journey. He served two stints in the Navy. He was a talented carpenter, a skilled handyman, and a master of DIY projects. Their ship was sunk in the Us Navy in 1966 and charles jackson french medal of honor in 2011, the reduced. 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