Charles Jackson French was an incredible pioneer in the field of civil engineering. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to . Continue to scroll for fascinating Videos and Books to enhance your learning experience. Born in a small town in California, Charles was a man of many talents. This is the story of Charles Jackson French, who rescued several soldiers during the Battle of Guadalcanal. [2] This request was also forwarded to the National NAACP office asking for a resolution to be adopted. French was hailed as the hero of the Solomons and the Human Tugboat for his daring rescue of the Pacific during World War II. He remembers meeting his uncle during World War II just after the famous rescue and being inspired to learn to swim. After the death of his parents, he lived with an older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. Will you do the same? The omission remained on the record for more than four decades. Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. This whole story violates the laws of physics. During World War II, he served as a U.S. sailor. To see these posts, click this link, For Womens History Month 2022 we featured 31 amazing Black women we should all know. 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. The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. On January 11, 1945, French was serving aboard the USS Bunker Hill, an aircraft carrier . Maybe they can stop naming warships after politicians and go back to naming them after actual heroes? Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French was an American hero who gave his life in service of his country. His story was largely forgotten until Bruce Wigo, a former director of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, unearthed it several years ago. French had only been out of the Navy for a couple of months when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. 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. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.. 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. 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. The ensign told French the plan was crazy, that they were surrounded by sharks and he would only get himself killed. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. 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. The Hero of the Heartland event will honor additional local heroes in the coming years. The Southern.Life is a publication of Emerson Parker Press, which is owned and operated by Jim Harris and his wife, Marian. He enjoys sports, politics, comic books, and anything that has to do with history. Charles Jackson French: Hero Without a Medal. Notably, the letter reduced the hours French spent swimming from six-eight to two. German prisoners of war were allowed to ride with White soldiers while the Black fighters were relegated to open, drafty, smelly cattle cars. Soon Frenchs name will be immortalized in Omaha, too. 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 . He was a mess steward, one of the few positions Black sailors were then allowed to fill in the military. 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. 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. 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. I was elated, said Chester French Jr. of Omaha, Charles nephew, who attended along with several other French family members. 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. 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. 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. 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. French enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1937 and served four years. A Change.org petition also was started Monday, urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of Honor. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it. That inquiry helped bring about last weeks award ceremony. He was a talented carpenter, a skilled handyman, and a master of DIY projects. Calls to recognize black WWII hero shed light on feat of heroism, Omaha-native Charles Jackson French is credited with saving his entire crew while serving in the U.S. Navy. French, a strong swimmer since youth, volunteered to swim the boat away from the Japanese island. 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. 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. French was the first black swimmer to earn the Navy Medal for his heroism in 1943. During this time, the military followed the segregation laws that were prevalent in the nation. 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. He was a generous and kind soul who was always willing to lend a helping hand. The waters were shark-infested. Lets get this HERO the Medal of Honor, Forgotten: The Untold Story of D-days Black Heroes, at Home and at War. Thomas has also been in communication with other senators and members of Congress asking them to support this effort. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. 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. 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. French may have been denied the medal because a Silver Star was awarded to one of his superiors and it was unprecedented to award a higher medal to a subordinate. This might be the first time I agree with Malcolm Nance. I say MOH. Her husband, Floyd, has served on the Caroline Board of Supervisors for. You can read more about the Virginia NAACPs work and our six Game Changer issue areas by visiting NAACPVA.org. In San Diego in 2022, French's family was presented with his posthumous Navy and Marine Corps medal. The story of Frenchs bravery was celebrated at the time but then largely forgotten for decades. In her pitch, Thomas said, to politicians: If ever youve needed a moment that says, I can look past party and politics and everything else going on in the world, this is it. The actions of the French will never be forgotten, as will their ultimate sacrifice. 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. 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. 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. The mess attendant died in 1956 at only 37 years of age. In 2011, the National Board of the NAACP passed a resolution requesting the Medal Of Honor for Doris (Dorie) Miller. This blog was created to share a passion for all things Southern. He re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor where he was assigned to be a mess attendant. "The country did . I nearly peed on myself when one of them sharks [touched] my feet. 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. Despite the fact that more than one million African Americans served, not a single Black soldier received the Medal of Honor. A Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates. Charles Jackson French saved 15 men from the USS Gregory in September of 1942. 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. This to the scientific notationed! It only took 3 minutes for the ship to sink. Continue for more information on the site and posts that may be of interest. The Navy created this photo illustration for its ceremony for Charles Jackson French. 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. He was 37 years old when he died on November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California. The story of Charles Jackson French is little known and marred by the inevitable racism that permeates our history in America. If the Navy and Marine Corps Medal is appropriate for Frenchs action, and by any objective measure it would be, then he ought to get the Navy Cross of MOH. American sailors attempted to separate French from the men he had rescued, but they rebelled, and the American sailors relented. 2022 State Convention | NAACP: The Urgency of Now, 2023 Virginia NAACP Legislative Priorities, Copyright 2023 This story or history was written to correct one of the many wrongs in the recording of American History. . The waters were shark-infested. Adrian retired from the Navy in 1966 and died in 2011, without succeeding. Thats when French a 22-year-old sailor in the racially segregated messman branch volunteered to tow them to safety, the article states. Perhaps racism played a role in French not receiving proper recognition. A little more than a week after Thomas first called the Senators office, Kaine wrote letters to President Joe Biden concerning Miller and French. 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. It is time to honor those who deserve honor! Linda Thomas of Bowling Green, Virginia, wants President Joe Biden to award the Medal of Honor to Black World War II Navy heroes Doris Miller and Charles Jackson French. It took so long.. Well, that was the racism of the times, one has to admit. 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. 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. Aboard a lift raft with several other sailors and drifting towards enemy-held islands, French volunteered to tow the raft himself by swimming. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. To comment or make suggestions on future posts, use Contact Us. towing a boat of wounded survivors by himself i.imgur.com/P1mQDe. The information that we present to everyone is extremely important, and a small donation can help us keep it that way. We encourage you to share the site on social media. French successfully brought the men to safety on the shores of the Solomon Islands. The server is misbehaving. Soon after, a bill passed the Nebraska legislature to name an Omaha post office for him. After his military service, French developed alcoholism and depression. A pool and a letter of commendation dont seem like enough for this true American hero. A world class collection of Black History inspired by a 5th grade teacher who told Arturo Schomburg that there was NO African history. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of Frenchs relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of Honor . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. 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. Its a story of the best of who we are.. Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. He swam six to eight hours in shark-infested waters before being rescued by marines on a navy landing craft. 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. In May 2022, the Navy finally presented French'srelatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal in recognition of his heroics. 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. 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. Japanese destroyers sank the ship he was on, the USS Gregory, in the South Pacific in September 1942. Inaction has been a great injustice to the goodly Sergeants bravery and sacrifice, for him and his Troops. 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. He had been born on Sept. 25, 1919, in Foreman, Arkansas. The event was held as part of events hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs in observance of Black History Month. 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 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. 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. The night that propelled Charles Jackson French into the role of hero was September 5, 1942, when enemy bombs sank the U.S.S. Charles Jackson French, an African American orphan, and championship-caliber swimmer navigated shark infested waters for about eight hours during. 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 stayed in the military until the end of the war, then took a civilian job with the Navy in San Diego. Keith Station, deputy chief of staff for diversity, equity, & inclusion for the City of Omaha, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. There was no escape from racism despite putting your life on the line for your country. Charles Jackson French was discharged from the Navy on Nov. 13, 1941, but reenlisted a month later after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Category: Historical, Navy, Valor, War Stories, We Remember. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. The ships first class is the Petty Officer 1st Class. 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. 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. 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. French was a swimmer who performed a heroic act that gave others another chance at life. Hundreds of Blacks were slaughtered and 10,000 left homeless in this largely unknown event. Kind of sounds like it. When Is The Best Time To Buy First Class Airline Tickets? Dismiss. No medal. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends. He deserves at least the Navy Cross. French was honored at the U.S. Olympic swim trials in 2021. 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. We depend on your support and thank you for it! Despite the fact that he did not receive the Congressional Medal of Honor, French was awarded the second highest honor, just below the Congressional Medal of Honor, which had been given to Doris Miller. Continue scrolling down for more amazing information, videos, books and value items. Itwould ef. Tucked away from Asheville, North Carolina's busy [Read More] about The Little Mountain Escape-The Biltmore House, As a youngster studying American History, we [Read More] about A Hero, Virtually Unknown to History, Was a Vital Part of Our Nations Independence, Copyright 2023 TheSouthern.Life Site design by: weblotech.com, about The Little Mountain Escape-The Biltmore House, about A Hero, Virtually Unknown to History, Was a Vital Part of Our Nations Independence, Read the story of Paul Bolden, Medal of Honor recipient from Alabama, Read the story of John Pruitt, WWI recipient of two Medals of Honor, The Little Mountain Escape-The Biltmore House, A Hero, Virtually Unknown to History, Was a Vital Part of Our Nations Independence. UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, spoke at the event, pointing to how his actions can inspire us all to be heroes in our own way. 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. He had first enlisted in the Navy in 1937 [1] and had completed his enlistment, moving to Omaha, Nebraska where he had family. French saved. James McBride, journalist, musician, and son, explores his mothers past, as well as his own upbringing and heritage, in a poignant and powerful debut, The Color of Water: A Black Mans Tribute to His White Mother. The Virginia NAACP is anticipating their favorable response. As one of the survivors, French found himself in the water on a life raft. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. Story\Experience 43 comments 100% Upvoted This thread is archived New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast Sort by: best 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. U.S. Navy Capt. A self-declared light-skinned woman evasive about her ethnicity, yet steadfast in her love for her 12 Black children. When bombs sank the. This activity includes urging President Biden to posthumously confer the Medals of Honor on Doris Miller and Charles French.. And while were at it can we please award Alwyn Cashes family his much deserved MOH.please. On November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California, Charles Jackson French, 37 at the time, died. French became famous after his commander, Ensign Robert Adrian, told the story on a radio program broadcast across the country. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. A Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates. We're doing our best to get things working smoothly! 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. These are the least desired jobs possible and beneath the White troops. You have permission to edit this article. We also did a mini-series on the Schomburg Center for Research a most amazing collection of Black history and culture. French made public appearances after the rescue, including attending a Creighton University football game with his sister in 1942. Your email address will not be published. His own father served in the war, too. French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates. In cases where you shop at Amazon for example you are encouraged to use our links anytime you shop there. He quickly went to work pulling other sailors aboard with him. Required fields are marked *. 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. 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. 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. 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. 6001 Dodge Street, Brown noted that, with Frenchs name and photo attached to the Navy pool, his story will be told well into the future. 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). 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. Charles Jackson French, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 77 on June 17th, 2020. Virginia NAACP President Robert Barnette was pleased to have his Executive Committee give its unanimous support to Mrs. Thomas effort. French, a Black man from Foreman, Arkansas, worked as a mess attendant on a destroyer transport ship named the USS Gregory, according to a 1943 Associated Press article. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to a Black man. Now, 80 years later, the Navy is finally catching up. The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. 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. Charles Jackson French was an American war hero from Foreman, Arkansas. To see the posts, click here. Since they were taking direct fire, Id feel the Navy Cross the more appropriate of the two. 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. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. Future Hero of the Heartland events may be held during other heritage months to celebrate heroes among a broad array of diverse ethnic groups. Roughly 15 survivors of the Gregory, some injured, were gathered in a life raft. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. In time it was learned that Charles Jackson French stood 5'8" tall and weighed 195 pounds. During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. We remember Charles Jackson French, winner of the Navy medal, who swam through the Pacific after his vessel sunk in WWII. Research is spotty, Nebraska high school boys basketball state tournament schedule, Medal sought for Black WWII sailor from Omaha lauded as hero, then forgotten, Back in the day, Oct. 30, 1942: Omaha's 'Hero of the Solomon Islands' returns home to honors, Plan to rename Benson post office after Black World War II hero clears House, Offutt lab seeks to identify soldiers who fought and died in segregated unit in WWII, Black WWII Army hero with ties to Boys Town featured in new graphic novel, Air Force Global Strike chief tabbed to be next StratCom leader, Editorial: Nebraskans have a track record of coming together for the common good, Omaha sailor killed in WWII will be added to Memorial Park monument during Vets Day event, Virginia woman seeks Medal of Honor for Black Navy WWII heroes, including Omaha's French, UNO honors Black WWII sailor as 'Hero of the Heartland', Metro CC may take over Marine Corps base at Fort Omaha campus, New biotech can 3D print living cells inside the human body, Ukraine will join NATO but in 'long- term', says NATO chief Stoltenberg, Finland begins building fence along Russia border. 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