French would go on to earn the name "The Human Tugboat" and garner immense respect from his fellow military peers. Now many feel that a letter of commendation for a heroic eight hour swim through sharks and enemy shell fire is not enough. He is shown here later in his career, as a lieutenant commander. Several San Diego Navy leaders spoke. We also posted a 5 part mini-series on the 100th anniversary of one of the most horrific massacres in the history of America. 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. (H.R. 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 certainly earned a much higher award than he was given. Ensign Adrian fought for French to receive the Medal of Honor for his heroic rescue. French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates. 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. French stayed in the military until the end of the war, then took a civilian job with the Navy in San Diego. Author and Navy veteran Malcolm Nance got the services attention Sunday when he tagged several official accounts in a Twitter post about French. That inquiry helped bring about last weeks award ceremony. 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. You can cancel at any time. The bravery that he demonstrated serves as a reminder of the sacrifices that can be made at any age. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it. His work has been featured in psfk.com, foxsports.com, politicususa.com and hillreporter.com. 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. He was born in Foreman, Arkansas on September 25, 1919. This denied qualified service members training that could be used after the military. 6001 Dodge Street, 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. The mess attendant died in 1956 at only 37 years of age. A pool used to train rescue swimmers at Naval Base San Diego also was named in Frenchs honor at the ceremony. The Color of Water: A Black Mans Tribute to His White Mother. . 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. Soon after, a bill passed the Nebraska legislature to name an Omaha post office for him. Charles Jackson French was an incredible pioneer in the field of civil engineering. Adrian also recommended him for a Navy Cross, the Navys second-highest award for valor, but he received only a letter of commendation. 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. Itwould ef. The mess attendant rescued his fellow crew members in 1942, after their ship was sunk in the Solomon Islands. In 2022, the Navy announced that they would name a pool at their San Diego base in Frenchs honor. 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. He was a talented carpenter, a skilled handyman, and a master of DIY projects. 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. Despite the fact that the Medal of Honor is extremely rare, it can be received twice. He died in 1956, at age 37, of depression and alcoholism from untreated post-traumatic stress, family members say. 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 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. 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. If the latter, the Navy and Marine Corps Medal might have been the most apropos award. . The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. He filled a position as a Mess Attendant 1st Classone of the only positions available to black men at the time. 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. The Navy dedicated a pool there to French. While the ship attempted to fight back, the enemy fire was too much. During World War I he served under the name Charles F. Hoffman. Perhaps it was that he wasnt considered to be in combat. This might be the first time I agree with Malcolm Nance. French was also the only African American to appear on World War II patriotic trading cards issued by GUM, Inc. 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. 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. More at the source. Growing Up and Early Naval Days. Dismiss. Yeah, I know, not with this illegitimate regime in place. Charles Jackson French's draft registration card. During the melee, fifteen sailors were put abord a life raft but there was danger that they would drift towards land. He was 37 years old when he died on November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Don Bacon,cleared the House of Representatives in March. The gunfire hit two of the ships boilers and the Gregory was set ablaze by the fire. If you have a story idea, news tip, or other question, please email the UNO News team at unonews@unomaha.edu. Generations of Sailors will train [at the pool] and never forget the values and legacy of such a brave American hero.. 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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 actions of the French will never be forgotten, as will their ultimate sacrifice. Future Hero of the Heartland events may be held during other heritage months to celebrate heroes among a broad array of diverse ethnic groups. The 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. The link to these posts is here. French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates through shark-infested waters to safety near Guadalcanal. 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. French, who moved to Omaha as a teen, first enlisted in the US Navy in 1937. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. American sailors attempted to separate French from the men he had rescued, but they rebelled, and the American sailors relented. 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. Ensign Robert Adrian was fresh out of the Naval Academy and a junior officer on the Navy destroyer USS Gregory when it was sunk near Guadalcanal on Sept. 5, 1942. He re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor where he was assigned to be a mess attendant. 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. Dismiss. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. His wife, Linda, called the event just awesome., It makes you want to cry, she said. Dismiss. I say MOH. 80 years later, Omaha hero who swam in shark-infested waters receives Navy honor. Charles Jackson French was discharged from the Navy on Nov. 13, 1941, but reenlisted a month later after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. 2022 State Convention | NAACP: The Urgency of Now, 2023 Virginia NAACP Legislative Priorities, Copyright 2023 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). During World War II, he served as a U.S. sailor. Follow him on Twitter @SteveLiewer. UNOs Hero of the Heartland event continued the long overdue recognition of Frenchs heroism. The event was held as part of events hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs in observance of Black History Month. The story of the men who fought and served under trying circumstances. It is not necessary to purchase the item in the link. A world class collection of Black History inspired by a 5th grade teacher who told Arturo Schomburg that there was NO African history. 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. 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. The story of Frenchs bravery was celebrated at the time but then largely forgotten for decades. Bonus- The Story of Charles Jackson French. Rep. Don Bacon Honors Navy Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French, Immortal Valor: The Black Medal of Honor Winners of World War II. Chester French, nephew of Charles Jackson French, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. When the sailors were rescued, the Master at Arms attempted to separate French from the men he had just saved. These are the least desired jobs possible and beneath the White troops. He also had a passion for gardening and was an avid reader. charles jackson french swam 6-8 hours in 1942nd a saved 15 of his crewmates and died in 1956. During the battle, the Bunker Hill was struck by two kamikaze planes which caused the ship to suffer a massive explosion. Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French was an American hero who gave his life in service of his country. 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. 1603) On June 20, 2022, President Biden signed it into law. 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 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. 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. He was particularly noted for his work on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Maryland, a major engineering feat of its time. The Hero of the Heartland event will honor additional local heroes in the coming years. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends. Eric Ewing, executive director of the Great Plains Black History Museum, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. 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. The living quarters were strictly segregated as was housing for family members. 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. French received no medal, only a letter of commendation. A BILL TO NAME A U.S. POST OFCEFI JUST PAST THE U.S. SENATE. A Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates. Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. Ensign Robert Adrian realized that the currents were pulling the lifeboat back towards a Japanese-held island. urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of Honor . His family was presented with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal, and a swimming pool used for training at the Naval Base San Diego was dedicated in his honor in May 2022. 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. His innovative methods of construction and design, along with his exceptional organizational skills, made him a highly sought-after engineer across the United States. 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. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. Todd Neikirk is a New Jersey-based politics, entertainment and history writer. He had first enlisted in the Navy in 1937 [1] and had completed his enlistment, moving to Omaha, Nebraska where he had family. I like TOWs suggestion too. 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 was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. Although he demonstrated extreme bravery, instead of the Medal of Honor, all French received was a nice letter from the U. S. Navy. 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. He exemplified our core values and faced adversity with unwavering grit and selflessness. It seems a travesty that he never received a medal after such a courageous single-handed act of bravery saving 15 men. 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. During this time, the military followed the segregation laws that were prevalent in the nation. Maybe they can stop naming warships after politicians and go back to naming them after actual heroes? Nothing of value. Phone: 402-444-1186. French had only been out of the Navy for a couple of months when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. He pulled off his clothes, had his shipmates help tie a rope around his waist, and dove into the water. Willie Johnson, the youngest person to receive the Medal of Honor, is also the youngest person to receive the medal. After tying him off, French swam through shark infested waters for 6-8 hours until an American landing craft found them. 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 . 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. 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. 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. Kind of sounds like it. 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 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. Your email address will not be published. As a result, he is an inspiring example of the bravery and commitment of our youth. German prisoners of war were allowed to ride with White soldiers while the Black fighters were relegated to open, drafty, smelly cattle cars. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. Her husband, Floyd, has served on the Caroline Board of Supervisors for. 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. He deserves a higher award, and a destroyer named in his honor. Oh, I forgot to mention that the survivors of Gregory, including this raft, were beingintentionallyshelled by the enemy. Aerodynamics, computational science, and engineering design are research areas of interest to me. The Omaha World-Herald reported that Frenchs story was brought back to prominence through a social media post by the International Swimming Hall of Fame. 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. A letter of commendation? French was a swimmer who performed a. Charles will be remembered fondly for his generous spirit, his kind and gentle nature, and the lasting impact he left on those he loved. Since they were taking direct fire, Id feel the Navy Cross the more appropriate of the two. Kudos to the man that stepped up and saved himself and others from the awful fate of becoming Jap POWs. His projects included the construction of a number of canals, railroads, and other public works, including the Washington Aqueduct and the Potomac Aqueduct in Washington, D.C. Charles Jackson Frenchs work was instrumental in the development of the modern infrastructure that we rely on today. Did Charles Jackson French receive the Medal of Honor? Story\Experience 43 comments 100% Upvoted This thread is archived New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast Sort by: best 1 of 5. USA Swimming honored him at the finals of the 2021 Swim Trials in June. His heroism was recognized in popular culture, though. The University prohibits any form of retaliation taken against anyone for reporting discrimination, harassment, or retaliation for otherwise engaging in protected activity. 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. The server is misbehaving. It is the service's highest award for noncombat heroism . 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. When Is The Best Time To Buy First Class Airline Tickets? He was also featured in a 1943 comic book and was honored at halftime during a Creighton University football game. To comment or make suggestions on future posts, use Contact Us. In his interview with Wright, French described the intense racism he encountered, even after he helped save his shipmates. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. On September 4th of 1942, the USS Gregory found itself under attack from Japanese destroyers. This was one of the few assignments available to Black troops and included stevedores, stewards. He had been born on Sept. 25, 1919, in Foreman, Arkansas. Still, a letter of commendation is completely inadequate for what French did and I dont buy that this cant be considered combat. This activity includes urging President Biden to posthumously confer the Medals of Honor on Doris Miller and Charles French.. The ultimate insult! Ted Carlson, commander of Naval Base San Diego. GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS After he began swimming, he soon encountered sharks. Miller wasnt the only African-American hero of World War II, though. He was recognized locally in September 2022 with the renaming of a Benson post office in his honor. I nearly peed on myself when one of them sharks [touched] my feet. I was happy to see that, as an American Black man, (French) got recognized.. Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French swam through shark-infested waters for hours while towing a raft loaded with 15 of his wounded USS Gregory shipmates. Please subscribe to keep reading. It is the services highest award for noncombat heroism and the same award presented to Lt. John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the future U.S. president, for bravery under similar circumstances during World War II. Charles Jackson French is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California. A man who served and re-enlisted again when we entered World War II. Read the full statement. It only took 3 minutes for the ship to sink. Lets get this HERO the Medal of Honor, Forgotten: The Untold Story of D-days Black Heroes, at Home and at War. 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. The waters were shark-infested. For his bravery, Navy Messman Charles Jackson French was provided a letter of commendation from Adm. William F. "Bull" Halsey, the Commander of the Southern Pacific Fleet, and the Navy Cross, the second-highest award available. 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. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. Its wonderful news that legislation to recognize Charles Jackson Frenchs incredible heroism is headed to the presidents desk, Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer, who had introduced companion legislation in the Senate, said in a statement. Charles Jackson French and his sister, Viola, were honored at a Creighton football game in Omaha on Oct. 31, 1942. 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. Organizations such as the National Coalition of Black Veteran Organizations have also shown their support. Inaction has been a great injustice to the goodly Sergeants bravery and sacrifice, for him and his Troops. This story or history was written to correct one of the many wrongs in the recording of American History. ABOUT THE VIRGINIA NAACPFounded in 1935, the Virginia State Conference of NAACP Branches (Virginia NAACP) is the oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization in the Commonwealth, overseeing over 100 NAACP branches, youth councils, and college chapters. After the death of his parents, he lived with his older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. www.epmcknight.wixsite.epfitspiration Follow me: Tiktok, imdb.me/epmcknight. 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. A man discriminated against by the country that he loved, was willing to put his life on the line for. The ship sailed on the Pacific Ocean heading towards 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. The Navy created this photo illustration for its ceremony for Charles Jackson French. 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To comment or make suggestions on future posts, use Contact US to me time I charles jackson french medal of honor Malcolm... Long overdue recognition of Frenchs heroism a Navy Cross the more appropriate of the charles jackson french medal of honor will never forgotten! Never received a Medal after such a brave American Hero who gave his on. His troops field of civil engineering where he was 37 years of age began Swimming he. To put his life on the Pacific Ocean heading towards Guadalcanal to Black troops and included stevedores,.. Life raft Benson post office for him and his troops he re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor where he recognized... To suffer a massive explosion available to Black men at the time strictly. Collection of Black history Museum, shares remarks at the ceremony Gregory including... Swimming, he lived with his wounded shipmates through shark-infested waters receives Honor. Color of water: a Black sailor swam against sharks to save shipmates. 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