The omission remained on the record for more than four decades. 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. We also did a mini-series on the Schomburg Center for Research a most amazing collection of Black history and culture. Since they were taking direct fire, Id feel the Navy Cross the more appropriate of the two. 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. 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 event was held as part of events hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs in observance of Black History Month. 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. 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. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Miller wasnt the only African-American hero of World War II, though. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of French's relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. 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. His own father served in the war, too. sliewer@owh.com; twitter.com/Steve Liewer. 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. During World War II, he served as a U.S. sailor. We receive a small royalty without cost to you. A Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates. A Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates. This is his jaw-dropping story. He re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor where he was assigned to be a mess attendant. 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. Yet, history has overlooked him. The story of the men who fought and served under trying circumstances. 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. 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 . Inspiring Stories of Black History and Achievement. Did Charles Jackson French receive the Medal of Honor? BZ PO1 French! 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. 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. A man who served and re-enlisted again when we entered World War II. Teachers are pumped. 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. French saved. 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. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. He was a talented carpenter, a skilled handyman, and a master of DIY projects. Darn guys a stud. Charles Jackson French is what makes America great. French, who was manning the anti-aircraft guns, was killed in the ensuing explosion, making him one of the first casualties of the battle. Ive always felt glad to be a proud American, Harris said. Hundreds of Blacks were slaughtered and 10,000 left homeless in this largely unknown event. GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS 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. 1603) On June 20, 2022, President Biden signed it into law. 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. This petition starter stood up and took action. 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. Phone: 402-444-1186. He was celebrated in the Black press and was even the subject of a syndicated comic strip. Please subscribe to keep reading. This activity includes urging President Biden to posthumously confer the Medals of Honor on Doris Miller and Charles French.. urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of Honor . He will be missed dearly by his family and friends. You have permission to edit this article. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. The story of Charles Jackson French's valor was told in newspapers, on radio dramas, in comics, on a bubble gum card and on this World War II calendar. Note: when French was in the Navy, it was not permitted for there to be Blacks and Whites in the water at the same time. 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. 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). In March of 1942, French was assigned to the USS Gregory (APD-3). The Navy dedicated a pool there to French. U.S. Navy sailor Charles Jackson French saved 15 shipmates by dragging a life raft through shark-infested waters after the Japanese sank the USS Gregory in 1942. . Willie Johnson, the youngest person to receive the Medal of Honor, is also the youngest person to receive the medal. While it is great to receive these honors think how much better it would have been to the generations who were denied knowledge and inspiration from a true hero! French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. Aboard a lift raft with several other sailors and drifting towards enemy-held islands, French volunteered to tow the raft himself by swimming. 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. 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He deserves a higher award, and a destroyer named in his honor. To see the posts, click here. 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. Ted Carlson, commander of Naval Base San Diego, which makes this recognition of Charles (Jackson) Frenchs heroic actions even more significant.. 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. After the death of his parents, he lived with an older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. 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. 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. During World War I he served under the name Charles F. Hoffman. 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. Who is Ruth McBride Jordan? 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. When Is The Best Time To Buy First Class Airline Tickets? He was particularly noted for his work on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Maryland, a major engineering feat of its time. Author and Navy veteran Malcolm Nance got the services attention Sunday when he tagged several official accounts in a Twitter post about French. I nearly peed on myself when one of them sharks [touched] my feet. 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. 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. 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. . 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. 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. Use our links to Amazon anytime you shop Amazon. Will definitely agree that he earned a higher award than was given. The link to these posts is here. Dismiss. 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. French had only been out of the Navy for a couple of months when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Charles Jackson French, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 77 on June 17th, 2020. It is not necessary to purchase the item in the link. Bacon, R-Neb., had written a letter to the acting secretary of the Navy a year ago, asking for a review of Frenchs file to determine whether he had received the proper awards. American sailors attempted to separate French from the men he had rescued, but they rebelled, and the American sailors relented. French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates through shark-infested waters to safety near Guadalcanal. On September 4th of 1942, the USS Gregory found itself under attack from Japanese destroyers. 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. Dismiss. 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. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of Frenchs relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. The ship sailed on the Pacific Ocean heading towards Guadalcanal. French like so many Black men believed that if they showed they were willing to fight for the country that the country would show them and people of their race some gratitude and equality only to return to the same situation they were fighting against. In May 2022, the Navy finally presented French'srelatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal in recognition of his heroics. Story\Experience 43 comments 100% Upvoted This thread is archived New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast Sort by: best All DragonDen media is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. Name a warship after this Hero. This is the story of the Stewards, Cooks and Messboys who manned that branch of naval service. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. On January 11, 1945, French was serving aboard the USS Bunker Hill, an aircraft carrier that was involved in the Battle of Okinawa. I read about this on Facebook some time ago. The mess attendant died in 1956 at only 37 years of age. Despite the fact that the Medal of Honor is extremely rare, it can be received twice. 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. Omaha, NE, 68182. These sailors and soldiers were welcomed back to American soil with signs that pointed one way for Whites and the other way for Blacks. 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. 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. We depend on your support and thank you for it! Ensign Adrian fought for French to receive the Medal of Honor for his heroic rescue. French stayed in the military until the end of the war, then took a civilian job with the Navy in San Diego. This post office renaming is important to his family, the community of Omaha, and the state of Nebraska. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Thems the devils fish. Required fields are marked *. . 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. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.. Instead, the Navy only issued a letter of commendation. He was also featured in a 1943 comic book and was honored at halftime during a Creighton University football game. Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. 2023 A Month of Tribute to 31 Women We Should All Know, Rosewood A Typical Race Riot in America. The ships first class is the Petty Officer 1st Class. We remember Charles Jackson French, winner of the Navy medal, who swam through the Pacific after his vessel sunk in WWII. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. Perhaps racism played a role in French not receiving proper recognition. Charles Jackson (MEng, DIS, MINCOSE) Expand search. As one of the survivors, French found himself in the water on a life raft. Maybe they can stop naming warships after politicians and go back to naming them after actual heroes? Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. A 1943 "True Comics" account of the valor of Charles Jackson French after his ship was sunk at Guadalcanal. 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. Correction: This story has been corrected to state that the bill passed by the Senate was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Don Bacon. 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. That inquiry helped bring about last weeks award ceremony. 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. More at the source. They were spotted and rescued by friendly forces when racism reared its ugly head. 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. 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. 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. He was a true patriot whose dedication and dedication to country served as a model for future generations. Rep. Don Bacon Honors Navy Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French, Immortal Valor: The Black Medal of Honor Winners of World War II. His story was largely forgotten until Bruce Wigo, a former director of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, unearthed it several years ago. He pulled off his clothes, had his shipmates help tie a rope around his waist, and dove into the water. On November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California, Charles Jackson French, 37 at the time, died. Will you do the same? He certainly earned a much higher award than he was given. 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. Join now . www.epmcknight.wixsite.epfitspiration Follow me: Tiktok, imdb.me/epmcknight. In the early hours of June 6, 1944, the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, a unit of African American soldiers, landed on the beaches of France. USA Swimming honored him at the finals of the 2021 Swim Trials in June. 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. 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. Chester French, nephew of Charles Jackson French, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. Adrian retired from the Navy in 1966 and died in 2011, without succeeding. Jobs People Learning Dismiss Dismiss. In this story can be found the heretofore-unwritten chapters of one phase of the Negroes march toward freedom in America, written by a man who participated in it. We also posted a 5 part mini-series on the 100th anniversary of one of the most horrific massacres in the history of America. Either wouldeasilybe warranted in my opinion. During the attack on the USS Gregory, a destroyer, he was aboard in 1943. 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. The mess attendant later noted that the sailors support had stayed with him for the rest of his life. 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. 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. This denied qualified service members training that could be used after the military. The waters were shark-infested. In 2022, the Navy announced that they would name a pool at their San Diego base in Frenchs honor. 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. Bloomsbury presents Immortal Valor by Robert Child, read by Vaughn Johseph. During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. The New York Times best-selling story from the author of The Good Lord Bird, winner of the 2013 National Book Award for Fiction. He enjoys sports, politics, comic books, and anything that has to do with history. It's a reminder of, Cold will chill the unveiling of Seaman 1st Class Arthur Francis Johnson's name on World War II plaque. I guess Pedo Joe has already forgotten about Alwyn Cashe. Eric Ewing, executive director of the Great Plains Black History Museum, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. A Change.org petition also was started Monday, urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of Honor. 1 of 5. Navy officials escorted members of Frenchs family to his gravesite at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, on San Diegos Point Loma peninsula. He exemplified our core values and faced adversity with unwavering grit and selflessness. Well, that was the racism of the times, one has to admit. U.S. Navy Capt. Born in a small town in California, Charles was a man of many talents. French was an African American serving at a time when prejudice and discrimination were ever-present in our Armed Forces and society, said Capt. His wife, Linda, called the event just awesome., It makes you want to cry, she said. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Charles Jackson French, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 77 on June 17th, 2020. No medal. The Color of Water: A Black Mans Tribute to His White Mother. towing a boat of wounded survivors by himself i.imgur.com/P1mQDe. 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. Charles Jackson French was an incredible pioneer in the field of civil engineering. A little more than a week after Thomas first called the Senators office, Kaine wrote letters to President Joe Biden concerning Miller and French. 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. That led to recognition during the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials held in Omaha in 2021. Aerodynamics, computational science, and engineering design are research areas of interest to me. 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. The award was presented during a ceremony in which a pool used for training Navy rescue swimmers at Naval Base San Diego was renamed in Frenchs honor. French successfully brought the men to safety on the shores of the Solomon Islands. 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. 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. He also had a passion for gardening and was an avid reader. Dismiss. 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. Custer is the first soldier in US history to receive the militarys highest honor twice, as well as the first to do so twice. The mess attendant rescued his fellow crew members in 1942, after their ship was sunk in the Solomon Islands. His innovative methods of construction and design, along with his exceptional organizational skills, made him a highly sought-after engineer across the United States. Perhaps it was that he wasnt considered to be in combat. The first was an enlistment was in 1937 when he served four years before receiving an honorable discharge in 1941. Steve is the military affairs reporter for The World-Herald. Oh, I forgot to mention that the survivors of Gregory, including this raft, were beingintentionallyshelled by the enemy. Benjamin Selph shares recognition for Charles Jackson French on behalf of the Navy. 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. Benjamin Selph echoed Lis remarks, encouraging those in attendance to take inspiration from Frenchs courageous act. Adversity with unwavering grit and selflessness sailor swam against sharks to save his White Mother Sunday. 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