In cases where you shop at Amazon for example you are encouraged to use our links anytime you shop there. Organizations such as the National Coalition of Black Veteran Organizations have also shown their support. During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. After the death of his parents, he lived with an older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. 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French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. The information that we present to everyone is extremely important, and a small donation can help us keep it that way. Roughly 15 survivors of the Gregory, some injured, were gathered in a life raft. Charles Jackson French: Hero Without a Medal. No medal. 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. Aboard a lift raft with several other sailors and drifting towards enemy-held islands, French volunteered to tow the raft himself by swimming. 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. Who is Ruth McBride Jordan? He pulled off his clothes, had his shipmates help tie a rope around his waist, and dove into the water. 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. A pool used to train rescue swimmers at Naval Base San Diego also was named in Frenchs honor at the ceremony. Thats when French a 22-year-old sailor in the racially segregated messman branch volunteered to tow them to safety, the article states. Continue scrolling down for more amazing information, videos, books and value items. {{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? Aside: f*ck sharks. 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. Ive always felt glad to be a proud American, Harris said. In 2022, the Navy announced that they would name a pool at their San Diego base in Frenchs honor. Future Hero of the Heartland events may be held during other heritage months to celebrate heroes among a broad array of diverse ethnic groups. Required fields are marked *. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. This is the story of the Stewards, Cooks and Messboys who manned that branch of naval service. 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. 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. The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. We encourage you to share the site on social media. charles jackson french swam 6-8 hours in 1942nd a saved 15 of his crewmates and died in 1956. Virginia NAACP President Robert Barnette was pleased to have his Executive Committee give its unanimous support to Mrs. Thomas effort. We also posted a 5 part mini-series on the 100th anniversary of one of the most horrific massacres in the history of America. A pool and a letter of commendation dont seem like enough for this true American hero. Well, that was the racism of the times, one has to admit. Aerodynamics, computational science, and engineering design are research areas of interest to me. To see this mini-series, click here. Instead, the Navy only issued a letter of commendation. The Virginia NAACP is anticipating their favorable response. 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. He was 37 years old when he died on November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California. Charles Jackson French died in 1956 and is buried in Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California. www.epmcknight.wixsite.epfitspiration Follow me: Tiktok, imdb.me/epmcknight. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. Read the full statement. This was one of the few assignments available to Black troops and included stevedores, stewards. This post office renaming is important to his family, the community of Omaha, and the state of Nebraska. There is a campaign requesting a Congressional Medal of Honor is awarded to French. For Black History Month 2022 we focused on Health and Wellness in the Black Community. Nothing of value. 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 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. 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. This is the story of Charles Jackson French, who rescued several soldiers during the Battle of Guadalcanal. French had only been out of the Navy for a couple of months when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. 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). The bravery that he demonstrated serves as a reminder of the sacrifices that can be made at any age. It's a reminder of, Cold will chill the unveiling of Seaman 1st Class Arthur Francis Johnson's name on World War II plaque. Continue for more information on the site and posts that may be of interest. Ted Carlson, commander of Naval Base San Diego. French made public appearances after the rescue, including attending a Creighton University football game with his sister in 1942. He was a mess steward, one of the few positions Black sailors were then allowed to fill in the military. Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French was an American hero who gave his life in service of his country. It took so long.. 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. During World War II, he served as a U.S. sailor. This to the scientific notationed! The Color of Water: A Black Mans Tribute to His White Mother. Despite the fact that more than one million African Americans served, not a single Black soldier received the Medal of Honor. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. Brown noted that, with Frenchs name and photo attached to the Navy pool, his story will be told well into the future. During the battle, the Bunker Hill was struck by two kamikaze planes which caused the ship to suffer a massive explosion. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. Bill to honor World War II hero Charles Jackson French at Omaha post office signed into law Updated: 6:46 PM CDT Jun 15, 2022 Infinite Scroll Enabled KETV Staff Report Show Transcript. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. French volunteered to tow the raft to another island that was safer, however, these were shark infested waters and those on board the raft attempted to talk French out of the mission, but he believed that death by shark would at least be quick and merciful. This sounds horrendous and it was, but it is just one example of the horrors of war that greeted Black soldiers who had risked their lives for their country with the goal of making it an equitable society for all. Keith Station, deputy chief of staff for diversity, equity, & inclusion for the City of Omaha, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. On January 11, 1945, French was serving aboard the USS Bunker Hill, an aircraft carrier that was involved in the Battle of Okinawa. He was celebrated in the Black press and was even the subject of a syndicated comic strip. French became famous after his commander, Ensign Robert Adrian, told the story on a radio program broadcast across the country. Miller wasnt the only African-American hero of World War II, though. Ted Carlson, commander of Naval Base San Diego, which makes this recognition of Charles (Jackson) Frenchs heroic actions even more significant.. Bloomsbury presents Immortal Valor by Robert Child, read by Vaughn Johseph. Perhaps racism played a role in French not receiving proper recognition. The omission remained on the record for more than four decades. 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. Todd Neikirk is a New Jersey-based politics, entertainment and history writer. 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. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. Itwould ef. To see these posts, click this link, For Womens History Month 2022 we featured 31 amazing Black women we should all know. Join now . Despite the fact that the Medal of Honor is extremely rare, it can be received twice. 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. 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. Interspersed in these are items from partners with Amazing Black History that allow you to support our work without cost to you as we are paid a small royalty by the partner. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, he noted that part of his job is to make sure that our veterans receive the recognition they deserve for their courage and dedication to our country. Charles Jackson (MEng, DIS, MINCOSE) Expand search. Growing Up and Early Naval Days. Charles Jackson French was an incredible pioneer in the field of civil engineering. 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. Within days, French, 22, reenlisted. 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. 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. Bonus- The Story of Charles Jackson French. French was a swimmer who performed a. Charles Jackson French was discharged from the Navy on Nov. 13, 1941, but reenlisted a month later after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Schomburg dedicated his life to proving that teacher wrong and Schomburg did an amazing job with his collection. French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates. These sailors and soldiers were welcomed back to American soil with signs that pointed one way for Whites and the other way for Blacks. Ensign Adrian fought for French to receive the Medal of Honor for his heroic rescue. 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 was born in Arkansas in 1919, but moved to Omaha as a youth to live with his married older sister, Viola. Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. Navy officials escorted members of Frenchs family to his gravesite at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, on San Diegos Point Loma peninsula. I read about this on Facebook some time ago. Proclamations naming the Benson post office in his uncle's honor are featured on easels in front of the stage. We remember Charles Jackson French, winner of the Navy medal, who swam through the Pacific after his vessel sunk in WWII. The VSC NAACP is in full support of Thomass campaign. The actions of the French will never be forgotten, as will their ultimate sacrifice. The mess attendant died in 1956 at only 37 years of age. He had been born on Sept. 25, 1919, in Foreman, Arkansas. If they floated ashore, an ensign on the raft later said, they would be taken as prisoners of war, according to an article on the International Swimming Hall of Fames website. It only took 3 minutes for the ship to sink. 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. [2] 80 years later, Omaha hero who swam in shark-infested waters receives Navy honor. Inspiring Stories of Black History and Achievement. He died in 1956, at age 37, of depression and alcoholism from untreated post-traumatic stress, family members say. It is time to honor those who deserve honor! 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. Since they were taking direct fire, Id feel the Navy Cross the more appropriate of the two. Charles Jackson French and his sister, Viola, were honored at a Creighton football game in Omaha on Oct. 31, 1942. 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. In 2011, the National Board of the NAACP passed a resolution requesting the Medal Of Honor for Doris (Dorie) Miller. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to . Charles Jackson French saved 15 men from the USS Gregory in September of 1942. 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. Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. As promising as that sounded, that was the most dangerous place to be for fear that they would be captured and executed. 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. In his interview with Wright, French described the intense racism he encountered, even after he helped save his shipmates. 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. 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. Please subscribe to keep reading. 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 Arkansas native had moved to Omaha to live with his sister as a youth after his parents died, and he became one of the most famous Black war heroes of the 1940s. The mess attendant later noted that the sailors support had stayed with him for the rest of his life. 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As one of the survivors, French found himself in the water on a life raft. French received no medal, only a letter of commendation. 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. 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. 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. This denied qualified service members training that could be used after the military. Will you do the same? The ensign told French the plan was crazy, that they were surrounded by sharks and he would only get himself killed. He disrobed and with assistance tied the tow rope around his waist and swam what is estimated to be six to eight hours. Darn guys a stud. Now many feel that a letter of commendation for a heroic eight hour swim through sharks and enemy shell fire is not enough. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. Charles Jackson French is what makes America great. His story was retold in comic strips and trading cards, and he traveled the country to help sell war bonds before enthusiastic crowds. He remembers meeting his uncle during World War II just after the famous rescue and being inspired to learn to swim. His story was largely forgotten until Bruce Wigo, a former director of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, unearthed it several years ago. 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. I was happy to see that, as an American Black man, (French) got recognized.. 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. 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. Either wouldeasilybe warranted in my opinion. 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. French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates through shark-infested waters to safety near Guadalcanal. French, who moved to Omaha as a teen, first enlisted in the US Navy in 1937. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.. Omaha, NE, 68182. He certainly earned a much higher award than he was given. The ships first class is the Petty Officer 1st Class. Benjamin Selph shares recognition for Charles Jackson French on behalf of the Navy. The story of the men who fought and served under trying circumstances. 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Maybe they can stop naming warships after politicians and go back to naming them after actual heroes? https://chng.it/F8y8w5n2 via @Change A self-declared light-skinned woman evasive about her ethnicity, yet steadfast in her love for her 12 Black children. 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. French was a swimmer who performed a. Your email address will not be published. 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 filled a position as a Mess Attendant 1st Classone of the only positions available to black men at the time. The first was an enlistment was in 1937 when he served four years before receiving an honorable discharge in 1941. Charles will be remembered fondly for his generous spirit, his kind and gentle nature, and the lasting impact he left on those he loved. During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. French was hailed as the hero of the Solomons and the Human Tugboat for his daring rescue of the Pacific during 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. 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. 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