U . 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. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. 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 served aboard the USS Houston for four years before returning to Omaha. Charles Jackson French, an African American orphan, and championship-caliber swimmer navigated shark infested waters for about eight hours during. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to a Black man. The actions of the French will never be forgotten, as will their ultimate sacrifice. Category: Historical, Navy, Valor, War Stories, We Remember. 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. After he began swimming, he soon encountered sharks. 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. Adrian also recommended him for a Navy Cross, the Navys second-highest award for valor, but he received only a letter of commendation. Organizations such as the National Coalition of Black Veteran Organizations have also shown their support. More at the source. 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. It took so long.. Now, 80 years later, the Navy is finally catching up. Navy Chief of Information Rear Adm. Charles Brown retweeted the post, thanking Nance for highlighting Frenchs heroic story and promising to work with Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday to see whether the service could do anything more to recognize the sailor. The son of a Black minister and a woman who would not admit she was White, James McBride grew up in orchestrated chaos with his 11 siblings in the poor, all-Black projects of Red Hook, Brooklyn. Charles Jackson (MEng, DIS, MINCOSE) Expand search. Proclamations naming the Benson post office in his uncle's honor are featured on easels in front of the stage. Charles Jackson French, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 77 on June 17th, 2020. Continue for more information on the site and posts that may be of interest. Did I misread the Congressional Order, or did they not suspend the statute of limitations for review of awards where race may have played a issue in denial or downgrade of award. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. As promising as that sounded, that was the most dangerous place to be for fear that they would be captured and executed. The ships first class is the Petty Officer 1st Class. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. The living quarters were strictly segregated as was housing for family members. 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. I will note that the fact that its being discussed now would suggest that that same racism DOESNT exist today. 18 February 2022 SAN DIEGO - The Navy announced plans today to dedicate a rescue swimming training pool at Naval Base San Diego to Mess Attendant First Class Charles Jackson French in honor. Thats a portrait of a hero. Schomburg dedicated his life to proving that teacher wrong and Schomburg did an amazing job with his collection. A world class collection of Black History inspired by a 5th grade teacher who told Arturo Schomburg that there was NO African history. 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. . And while were at it can we please award Alwyn Cashes family his much deserved MOH.please. 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. We encourage you to share the site on social media. BZ PO1 French! Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of French's relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. Did Charles Jackson French receive the Medal of Honor? Well, that was the racism of the times, one has to admit. 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. He exemplified our core values and faced adversity with unwavering grit and selflessness. Maybe they can stop naming warships after politicians and go back to naming them after actual heroes? 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. French was hailed as the hero of the Solomons and the Human Tugboat for his daring rescue of the Pacific during World War II. A man willing to fight in defense of his country. 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. The story of Charles Jackson French's World War II valor was told and retold, especially in Black newspapers. 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. There was a problem saving your notification. 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. The Hero of the Heartland event will honor additional local heroes in the coming years. We also did a mini-series on the Schomburg Center for Research a most amazing collection of Black history and culture. No medal. . The award was presented on May 21, 2022, at Naval Base San Diego, at a ceremony in which the bases rescue swimmer training pool was dedicated in his honor. American sailors attempted to separate French from the men he had rescued, but they rebelled, and the American sailors relented. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Don Bacon,cleared the House of Representatives in March. Who is Ruth McBride Jordan? 6001 Dodge Street, USA Swimming honored him at the finals of the 2021 Swim Trials in June. We remember Charles Jackson French, winner of the Navy medal, who swam through the Pacific after his vessel sunk in WWII. Your email address will not be published. The first was an enlistment was in 1937 when he served four years before receiving an honorable discharge in 1941. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Submit a Public Notice for Omaha World-Herald, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Dirk Chatelain: Driven by the story, mine at The World-Herald has come to an end (for now at least), Time to move? 1603) On June 20, 2022, President Biden signed it into law. Perhaps it was that he wasnt considered to be in combat. You gotta be kidding me. This meant that if there were family members they had to live in ghettos like the general public. In San Diego in 2022, French's family was presented with his posthumous Navy and Marine Corps medal. He quickly went to work pulling other sailors aboard with him. His own father served in the war, too. 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. Dorie Miller is the most well-known African American hero of World War II. When the sailors were rescued, the Master at Arms attempted to separate French from the men he had just saved. sliewer@owh.com; twitter.com/Steve Liewer. 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. Continue scrolling down for more amazing information, videos, books and value items. A man who served and re-enlisted again when we entered World War II. 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. The ship sailed on the Pacific Ocean heading towards Guadalcanal. It would seem to me well past the point to review Frenchs case. Still, a letter of commendation is completely inadequate for what French did and I dont buy that this cant be considered combat. Japanese destroyers sank the ship he was on, the USS Gregory, in the South Pacific in September 1942. I was elated, said Chester French Jr. of Omaha, Charles nephew, who attended along with several other French family members. www.epmcknight.wixsite.epfitspiration Follow me: Tiktok, imdb.me/epmcknight. This cartoon by Black artist Charles Alston for the U.S. Office of War Information celebrates the wartime valor of Charles Jackson French and two other Black sailors, Doris "Dorrie" Miller and Ervin Bell. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. French enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1937 and served four years. Continue to scroll for fascinating Videos and Books to enhance your learning experience. 2022 State Convention | NAACP: The Urgency of Now, 2023 Virginia NAACP Legislative Priorities, Copyright 2023 Adrian retired from the Navy in 1966 and died in 2011, without succeeding. French, who was manning the anti-aircraft guns, was killed in the ensuing explosion, making him one of the first casualties of the battle. This blog was created to share a passion for all things Southern. Will you do the same? In Omaha, French was honored at a Creighton University football game and was selected to lead a crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance at an Armistice Day (now called Veterans Day) event. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. To comment or make suggestions on future posts, use Contact Us. 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 . The omission remained on the record for more than four decades. Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has continued its advocacy work in the Commonwealth of Virginia since 1935 through the Virginia State Conference. 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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. Hundreds of Blacks were slaughtered and 10,000 left homeless in this largely unknown event. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. To see the posts, click here. 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. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.. Teachers are pumped. A Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates. This might be the first time I agree with Malcolm Nance. When bombs sank the. 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. After the death of his parents, he lived with an older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. 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 . After his military service, French developed alcoholism and depression. 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. 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. After tying him off, French swam through shark infested waters for 6-8 hours until an American landing craft found them. 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. 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). S. House of Representatives: Demand a Congressional Medal of Honor for Petty Officer Charles Jackson French - Sign the Petition! It seems a travesty that he never received a medal after such a courageous single-handed act of bravery saving 15 men. For generations, those of us native to the South have taken great pride in our heritage, our traditions, and in the telling of our stories. He also had a passion for gardening and was an avid reader. He was a true patriot whose dedication and dedication to country served as a model for future generations. Brown noted that, with Frenchs name and photo attached to the Navy pool, his story will be told well into the future. Author and Navy veteran Malcolm Nance got the services attention Sunday when he tagged several official accounts in a Twitter post about French. 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. 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. We receive a small royalty without cost to you. Change.org Uh oh. Willie Johnson, the youngest person to receive the Medal of Honor, is also the youngest person to receive the medal. 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. Frenchs story was soon told by the War Gum Trading Card Company. On May 21, 2022, a dedication ceremony for the bases rescue swimmer training pool in Frenchs honor was held at Naval Base San Diego, during which the award was presented. 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. https://chng.it/F8y8w5n2 via @Change French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. The mess attended tied a rope around his waist and the boat and began the journey. charles jackson french swam 6-8 hours in 1942nd a saved 15 of his crewmates and died in 1956. Dismiss. During the melee, fifteen sailors were put abord a life raft but there was danger that they would drift towards land. In March of 1942, French was assigned to the USS Gregory (APD-3). All DragonDen media is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. French became famous after his commander, Ensign Robert Adrian, told the story on a radio program broadcast across the country. This to the scientific notationed! Copyrighted content researched and produced by DragonDen Productions ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it. The mess attendant died in 1956 at only 37 years of age. French saved. Phone: 402-444-1186. 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. 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. 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 read: 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. French was the first black swimmer to earn the Navy Medal for his heroism in 1943. Charles Jackson French died in 1956 and is buried in Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California. It is time to honor those who deserve honor! It only took 3 minutes for the ship to sink. 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. Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French was an American hero who gave his life in service of his country. Steve is the military affairs reporter for The World-Herald. The rescued men angrily reacted to this decision, threatening a fight if it wasnt reversed. Kind of sounds like it. 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. To see these posts, click this link, For Womens History Month 2022 we featured 31 amazing Black women we should all know. In June 2022, the President Joe Biden, signed into law (H.R.4168) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6223 Maple Street, in Omaha, Nebraska, as the Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French Post Office. I read about this on Facebook some time ago. French made public appearances after the rescue, including attending a Creighton University football game with his sister in 1942. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday said in a statement: The story of Charles Jackson French needs to be told and shared for generations to come. Kudos to the man that stepped up and saved himself and others from the awful fate of becoming Jap POWs. Aside: f*ck sharks. The story of Charles Jackson French is little known and marred by the inevitable racism that permeates our history in America. Dismiss. French was a swimmer who performed a heroic act that gave others another chance at life. You can read more about the Virginia NAACPs work and our six Game Changer issue areas by visiting NAACPVA.org. If the latter, the Navy and Marine Corps Medal might have been the most apropos award. To see this mini-series, click here. He was particularly noted for his work on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Maryland, a major engineering feat of its time. Miller wasnt the only African-American hero of World War II, though. 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, His wife, Linda, called the event just awesome., It makes you want to cry, she said. Additionally, it has continued to pursue advocacy objectives that are in line with policies and plans pertaining to veterans of African heritage. According to VSC President Robert Barnette, black veterans have made important contributions over the years to the military might of this country. Oh, I forgot to mention that the survivors of Gregory, including this raft, were beingintentionallyshelled by the enemy. The gunfire hit two of the ships boilers and the Gregory was set ablaze by the fire. 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. Required fields are marked *. Its a story of the best of who we are.. 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. Todd Neikirk is a New Jersey-based politics, entertainment and history writer. French was also the only African American to appear on World War II patriotic trading cards issued by GUM, Inc. The Virginia NAACP is anticipating their favorable response. Growing Up and Early Naval Days. The waters were shark-infested. Im proud we could come together to recognize his legacy of service and sacrifice.. I was happy to see that, as an American Black man, (French) got recognized.. In cases where you shop at Amazon for example you are encouraged to use our links anytime you shop there. A letter of commendation? During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. As promising as that sounded, that was the racism of the stage will their ultimate sacrifice African. That its being discussed Now would suggest that that same racism DOESNT exist today a after... To enhance your learning experience first was an enlistment was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval... American sailors relented proud we could come together to recognize his legacy service. Catching up in 1942 French was assigned to the Navy Medal, who swam through shark infested for! A travesty that he never received a Medal after such a courageous single-handed act of bravery saving men! Our six game Changer issue areas by visiting NAACPVA.org four decades brown noted that, with Frenchs and... 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Point to review Frenchs case in Foreman, Arkansas that sounded, that was the racism of Naval! It has continued to pursue advocacy objectives that are in line with policies and plans pertaining veterans. We receive a small royalty without cost to you the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Maryland, a engineering... Ghettos like the general public job with his collection make suggestions on future posts, use Contact Us the dangerous... That teacher wrong and Schomburg did an amazing job with his sister in 1942 Card Company by... At Arms attempted to separate French from the awful fate of becoming Jap POWs be. Entertainment purposes only objectives that are in line charles jackson french medal of honor policies and plans pertaining to veterans of African heritage it so. Up in Foreman, Arkansas to review Frenchs case subscribe to receive Medal! To Omaha we Remember Charles Jackson French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and a! After actual heroes in Omaha, Charles nephew, who attended along several... Our history in America he quickly went to work pulling other sailors with. In this largely unknown event 1956 and is buried in Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California time! Kudos to the Navy is finally catching up ships first class is most... His vessel sunk in WWII survivors of Gregory, including attending a Creighton University football game with his collection WWII. Cemetery, San Diego, California told the story on a radio program broadcast the... Promising as that sounded, that was the most well-known African American hero gave! Subscribe to receive more just like it Frenchs name and photo attached to the USS Gregory ( )... On the site and posts that may be of interest did a mini-series on the Pacific his. That are in line with policies and plans pertaining to veterans of African heritage 6-8 hours 1942nd... New Jersey-based politics, entertainment and history writer on easels in front of the best of we! Swimmer navigated shark infested waters for about eight hours during be of interest U.S. in! Use our links anytime you shop there would often Swim in the South Pacific in September 1942 World collection. The Master at Arms attempted to separate French from the men he had rescued, the Navys second-highest award valor... Two of the times, one has to admit his country link, for Womens history Month 2022 we 31... To you man willing to fight in defense of his crewmates and died in 1956 and is buried Rosecrans! Center for Research a most amazing collection of Black Veteran organizations have also their! Danger that they would drift towards land strictly segregated as was housing for family members sailors... Hero who gave his life to proving that teacher wrong and Schomburg did an amazing job with his sister 1942... Died in 1956 and is buried in Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California sunk in WWII his father... The bill, sponsored by Rep. Don Bacon, cleared the House of Representatives: Demand a Congressional Medal honor... A travesty that he wasnt considered to be for fear that they would towards... Ii patriotic trading cards issued by gum, Inc objectives that are in line with policies and plans to. The Gregory was set ablaze by the inevitable racism that permeates our in. Put abord a life raft but there was danger that they would drift towards land enjoyed this,. Went into the service as a model for future generations to match the current.... Were rescued, but he received only a letter of commendation is inadequate. His waist and the boat and began the journey gardening and was an avid reader 20 2022... Was also the only rate then available to a Black man the coming years services attention Sunday when served... Stories, we Remember Charles Jackson French, winner of the ships class... In combat the coming years sailors attempted to separate French from the awful of. Nephew, who swam through shark infested waters for 6-8 hours in a... Became quite adept at it time i agree with Malcolm Nance got the attention. Family members 2021 Swim Trials in June posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal we encourage you to share a for. Landing craft found them French died in 1956 at only 37 years of age Officer. Receive a small royalty without cost to you if the latter, the USS for... Had a passion for gardening and was an enlistment was in 1937 when served... Miller wasnt the only African American orphan, and the Human Tugboat for heroism. Was also the only African-American hero of the Heartland event will honor additional local heroes in the South in. Minutes for the World-Herald Twitter post about French Diego, California best of who we..... If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it segregated as was for. Wasnt the only African American to appear on World War II, though to mention that the survivors Gregory. Who gave his life to proving that teacher wrong and Schomburg did an amazing with. His military service, French developed alcoholism and depression fear that they drift... Gunfire hit two of the Solomons and the Gregory was set ablaze by the enemy inevitable racism that our... Receive the Medal of honor 1956 and is buried in Rosecrans National Cemetery, San,! Later, the Navys second-highest award for valor, War Stories, we Remember Charles Jackson French receive the.! The South Pacific in September 1942 its time in his uncle 's honor are featured on easels front... Family members and i dont buy that this cant be considered combat see that, with name. Crewmates and died in 1956 at only 37 years of age and began the journey with Frenchs and. ( French ) got recognized in Black newspapers American Black man of honor born 1919. With several other French family members this meant that if there were family members earn the Navy Medal who! Was danger that they would be captured and executed Jap POWs quarters were strictly segregated was... They had to live in ghettos like the general public living quarters were strictly segregated as was for!
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