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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. 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. 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. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Don Bacon,cleared the House of Representatives in March. Bonus- The Story of Charles Jackson French. 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. The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. The omission remained on the record for more than four decades. 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. Charles Jackson French was discharged from the Navy on Nov. 13, 1941, but reenlisted a month later after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. No medal. In March of 1942, French was assigned to the USS Gregory (APD-3). 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. He filled a position as a Mess Attendant 1st Classone of the only positions available to black men at the time. We receive a small royalty without cost to you. In 2011, the National Board of the NAACP passed a resolution requesting the Medal Of Honor for Doris (Dorie) Miller. The rescued men angrily reacted to this decision, threatening a fight if it wasnt reversed. Bloomsbury presents Immortal Valor by Robert Child, read by Vaughn Johseph. French was an African American serving at a time when prejudice and discrimination were ever-present in our Armed Forces and society, said Capt. He was responsible for the development and construction of hundreds of public works projects during his career. The story of the men who fought and served under trying circumstances. Kind of sounds like it. 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. Steve is the military affairs reporter for The World-Herald. Charles Jackson French died in 1956 and is buried in Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California. This whole story violates the laws of physics. This denied qualified service members training that could be used after the military. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. 80 years later, Omaha hero who swam in shark-infested waters receives Navy honor. 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. French was a swimmer who performed a. A man willing to fight in defense of his country. 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. . His work has been featured in psfk.com, foxsports.com, politicususa.com and hillreporter.com. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. 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. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. This man did as much if not more than a medic often does to save 15 of his comrades from capture, while being actively shelled, in shark infested waters. He told the story frequently to family and tried for the rest of his life to get Charles Jackson French, the mess attendant, who was from Omaha, the valor award he was denied during the war. 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. Charles Jackson (MEng, DIS, MINCOSE) Expand search. Future Hero of the Heartland events may be held during other heritage months to celebrate heroes among a broad array of diverse ethnic groups. Thats a portrait of a hero. Use our links to Amazon anytime you shop Amazon. Another of Frenchs nephews, 89-year-old Roscoe Harris of Omaha, also attended, along with two of his own sons and three of his grandsons. 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. He was a mess steward, one of the few positions Black sailors were then allowed to fill in the military. 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. This button displays the currently selected search type. Still, a letter of commendation is completely inadequate for what French did and I dont buy that this cant be considered combat. He was 37 years old when he died on November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California. 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. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. The mess attended tied a rope around his waist and the boat and began the journey. Although he demonstrated extreme bravery, instead of the Medal of Honor, all French received was a nice letter from the U. S. Navy. There was no escape from racism despite putting your life on the line for your country. Charles Jackson French, an African American orphan, and championship-caliber swimmer navigated shark infested waters for about eight hours during. Darn guys a stud. The story of Charles Jackson French's World War II valor was told and retold, especially in Black newspapers. Miller wasnt the only African-American hero of World War II, though. Charles will be remembered fondly for his generous spirit, his kind and gentle nature, and the lasting impact he left on those he loved. French, who moved to Omaha as a teen, first enlisted in the US Navy in 1937. He received an honorable discharge on November 11, 1941, but re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor. There is a campaign requesting a Congressional Medal of Honor is awarded to French. French was a swimmer who performed a heroic act that gave others another chance at life. 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. Several San Diego Navy leaders spoke. He swam six to eight hours in shark-infested waters before being rescued by marines on a navy landing craft. Aside: f*ck sharks. Oh, I forgot to mention that the survivors of Gregory, including this raft, were beingintentionallyshelled by the enemy. This to the scientific notationed! He was recognized locally in September 2022 with the renaming of a Benson post office in his honor. I think I would lean toward Medal of Honor just based on what I read here, but Im sure the details would sway me one way or the other. His own father served in the war, too. Despite the fact that the Medal of Honor is extremely rare, it can be received twice. 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. Chester French, nephew of Charles Jackson French, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. Join now . The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. This meant that if there were family members they had to live in ghettos like the general public. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. He deserves a higher award, and a destroyer named in his honor. To see these posts, click this link, For Womens History Month 2022 we featured 31 amazing Black women we should all know. A man who served and re-enlisted again when we entered World War II. . 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. In May 2022, the Navy finally presented French'srelatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal in recognition of his heroics. 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. . I like TOWs suggestion too. The Color of Water: A Black Mans Tribute to His White Mother. And while were at it can we please award Alwyn Cashes family his much deserved MOH.please. 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. 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. 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USA Swimming honored him at the finals of the 2021 Swim Trials in June. Despite the fact that more than one million African Americans served, not a single Black soldier received the Medal of Honor. 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. A Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates. 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. He deserves at least the Navy Cross. Brown noted that, with Frenchs name and photo attached to the Navy pool, his story will be told well into the future. His story was retold in comic strips and trading cards, and he traveled the country to help sell war bonds before enthusiastic crowds. GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS He enjoys sports, politics, comic books, and anything that has to do with history. They were spotted and rescued by friendly forces when racism reared its ugly head. As promising as that sounded, that was the most dangerous place to be for fear that they would be captured and executed. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends. He was a talented carpenter, a skilled handyman, and a master of DIY projects. 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. Virginia State Conference NAACP, Doris (Dorie) Miller, is a Black veteran, who demonstrated such dedication to his duty on December 7, 1941, when his ship was attacked in Pearl Harbor, Doris Miller showed little regard for his safety when he dragged his wounded captain and several shipmates to safety before manning an anti-aircraft gun that he had never been trained to use, and brought down several Japanese planes, but was not recommended for the Medal of Honor. He remembers meeting his uncle during World War II just after the famous rescue and being inspired to learn to swim. Todd Neikirk is a New Jersey-based politics, entertainment and history writer. As one of the survivors, French found himself in the water on a life raft. 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. Thems the devils fish. Story\Experience 43 comments 100% Upvoted This thread is archived New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast Sort by: best This story or history was written to correct one of the many wrongs in the recording of American History. 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. But his story will be told during a ga, A Virginia woman is trying an unconventional approach to secure the Medal of Honor for two WWII heroes, including Charles Jackson French, who , The University of Nebraska at Omaha honored a long-unsung World War II hero once lauded as a human tugboat during a Black History Month even, Metropolitan Community College is seeking to take over a Marine Corps facility next to its Fort Omaha campus for future expansion. Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. If you have a story idea, news tip, or other question, please email the UNO News team at unonews@unomaha.edu. To see the posts, click here. Author and Navy veteran Malcolm Nance got the services attention Sunday when he tagged several official accounts in a Twitter post about French. Charles Jackson French was a Navy Mess Specialist 1st Class Petty Officer the night the USS Gregory (APD 3) was sunk by Japanese destroyers during the Battle of Guadalcanal. Benjamin Selph shares recognition for Charles Jackson French on behalf of the Navy. . 18 February 2022 SAN DIEGO - The Navy announced plans today to dedicate a rescue swimming training pool at Naval Base San Diego to Mess Attendant First Class Charles Jackson French in honor. 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. The bravery that he demonstrated serves as a reminder of the sacrifices that can be made at any age. 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. To see the posts, click here. Who is Ruth McBride Jordan? sliewer@owh.com; twitter.com/Steve Liewer. 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. While the ship attempted to fight back, the enemy fire was too much. Charles Jackson French was an incredible pioneer in the field of civil engineering. During World War I he served under the name Charles F. Hoffman. Since they were taking direct fire, Id feel the Navy Cross the more appropriate of the two. He is shown here later in his career, as a lieutenant commander. 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 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. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. Charles Jackson French: Hero Without a Medal. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has continued its advocacy work in the Commonwealth of Virginia since 1935 through the Virginia State Conference. His wife, Linda, called the event just awesome., It makes you want to cry, she said. The waters were shark-infested. Continue for more information on the site and posts that may be of interest. 1603) On June 20, 2022, President Biden signed it into law. Will definitely agree that he earned a higher award than was given. 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. These are the least desired jobs possible and beneath the White troops. French received no medal, only a letter of commendation. Thomas has also been in communication with other senators and members of Congress asking them to support this effort. Eric Ewing, executive director of the Great Plains Black History Museum, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. 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. I was elated, said Chester French Jr. of Omaha, Charles nephew, who attended along with several other French family members. 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. On January 11, 1945, French was serving aboard the USS Bunker Hill, an aircraft carrier . Soon Frenchs name will be immortalized in Omaha, too. 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. Ted Carlson, commander of Naval Base San Diego. 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. A world class collection of Black History inspired by a 5th grade teacher who told Arturo Schomburg that there was NO African history. It took so long.. I [just] froze and tried to surface and float, [get] my feet outta the water.. 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. The actions of the French will never be forgotten, as will their ultimate sacrifice. We encourage you to share the site on social media. The link to these posts is here. It is time to honor those who deserve honor! Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French was an American hero who gave his life in service of his country. French, who was manning the anti-aircraft guns, was killed in the ensuing explosion, making him one of the first casualties of the battle. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. 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). After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men was adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. 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! You can read more about the Virginia NAACPs work and our six Game Changer issue areas by visiting NAACPVA.org. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. 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. We see many examples of prisoners of war being treated with greater dignity than soldiers wearing American uniforms after suffering injuries, physical, emotional, mental, and even watched death. 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. 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. French was a swimmer who performed a. Adrian retired from the Navy in 1966 and died in 2011, without succeeding. French was also the only African American to appear on World War II patriotic trading cards issued by GUM, Inc. He was born in Foreman, Arkansas on September 25, 1919. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. The server is misbehaving. The Southern.Life is a publication of Emerson Parker Press, which is owned and operated by Jim Harris and his wife, Marian. 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. Charles Jackson French is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California. 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. towing a boat of wounded survivors by himself i.imgur.com/P1mQDe. Generations of Sailors will train [at the pool] and never forget the values and legacy of such a brave American hero.. During the battle, the Bunker Hill was struck by two kamikaze planes which caused the ship to suffer a massive explosion. Growing Up and Early Naval Days. Itwould ef. Racism preventing awarding a medal? The information that we present to everyone is extremely important, and a small donation can help us keep it that way. 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. 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. During the melee, fifteen sailors were put abord a life raft but there was danger that they would drift towards land. On September 4th of 1942, the USS Gregory found itself under attack from Japanese destroyers. 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. Both Miller and French have been highly decorated for their service, but Thomas wants to see them awarded the top honor. Of the many acts of bravery among the men of Gregory during its final battle (including the mortally wounded skipper ordering his crew to abandon him and help other wounded, never to be seen again) was Charles French. 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. In 2022, the Navy announced that they would name a pool at their San Diego base in Frenchs honor. 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. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to . The event was held as part of events hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs in observance of Black History Month. Dorie Miller is the most well-known African American hero of World War II. Nothing of value. https://chng.it/F8y8w5n2 via @Change 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.
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