charles jackson french medal of honor
The mess attended tied a rope around his waist and the boat and began the journey. You can read more about the Virginia NAACPs work and our six Game Changer issue areas by visiting NAACPVA.org. A Change.org petition also was started Monday, urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of Honor. After the rescued ensign recounted the story to The Associated Press and on the radio, French became nationally known as the Human Tugboat. He received a heros welcome in his sisters hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. He is shown here later in his career, as a lieutenant commander. But French said he wasnt afraid. In her pitch, Thomas said, to politicians: If ever youve needed a moment that says, I can look past party and politics and everything else going on in the world, this is it. French, who moved to Omaha as a teen, first enlisted in the US Navy in 1937. If you have a story idea, news tip, or other question, please email the UNO News team at unonews@unomaha.edu. Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. He died in 1956, at age 37, of depression and alcoholism from untreated post-traumatic stress, family members say. 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. I was elated, said Chester French Jr. of Omaha, Charles nephew, who attended along with several other French family members. The VSC NAACP is in full support of Thomass campaign. He served two stints in the Navy. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. Racism preventing awarding a medal? A Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates. Adrian retired from the Navy in 1966 and died in 2011, without succeeding. Dismiss. French, who moved to Omaha as a teen, first enlisted in the US Navy in 1937. U . 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, a strong swimmer since youth, volunteered to swim the boat away from the Japanese island. The rescued men angrily reacted to this decision, threatening a fight if it wasnt reversed. Now many feel that a letter of commendation for a heroic eight hour swim through sharks and enemy shell fire is not enough. A self-declared light-skinned woman evasive about her ethnicity, yet steadfast in her love for her 12 Black children. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it. Dismiss. Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men was adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. In March of 1942, French was assigned to the USS Gregory (APD-3). This post office renaming is important to his family, the community of Omaha, and the state of Nebraska. His bravery and selfless devotion to duty will always be remembered and serve as an example to all who serve in the United States military. 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. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends. Chester French, nephew of Charles Jackson French, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. The link to these posts is here. I [just] froze and tried to surface and float, [get] my feet outta the water.. Days later, he went down to his local recruitment office and reenlisted. His own father served in the war, too. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Don Bacon,cleared the House of Representatives in March. Your email address will not be published. Itwould ef. These are the least desired jobs possible and beneath the White troops. I got the hell scared outta me, French told Chester Wright, author of the 2009 book Black Men and Blue Water, in an interview after the Korean War. The Navy dedicated a pool there to French. A man who served and re-enlisted again when we entered World War II. Eric Ewing, executive director of the Great Plains Black History Museum, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. This petition starter stood up and took action. 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. 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! It took so long.. The mess attendant rescued his fellow crew members in 1942, after their ship was sunk in the Solomon Islands. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. He was responsible for the development and construction of hundreds of public works projects during his career. Well, that was the racism of the times, one has to admit. 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. There is a campaign requesting a Congressional Medal of Honor is awarded to French. Their orders were to man a curtain of armed balloons meant to deter enemy aircraft. Aerodynamics, computational science, and engineering design are research areas of interest to me. Charles Jackson French's draft registration card. . 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Charles Jackson French died in 1956 and is buried in Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California. Charles Jackson French, an African American orphan, and championship-caliber swimmer navigated shark infested waters for about eight hours during. He was 37 years old when he died on November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California. In 2022, the Navy announced that they would name a pool at their San Diego base in Frenchs honor. 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. Thems the devils fish. Continue for more information on the site and posts that may be of interest. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of French's relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. The information that we present to everyone is extremely important, and a small donation can help us keep it that way. 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. Ive always felt glad to be a proud American, Harris said. 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. Although he demonstrated extreme bravery, instead of the Medal of Honor, all French received was a nice letter from the U. S. Navy. During his service, he received a letter of commendation from the commander of the Southern Pacific Fleet, Adm. William F. Halsey, Jr. In time it was learned that Charles Jackson French stood 5'8" tall and weighed 195 pounds. This is the story of Charles Jackson French, who rescued several soldiers during the Battle of Guadalcanal. He enjoys sports, politics, comic books, and anything that has to do with history. Pitney Bowes: First-Class Postage Products And Solutions For Businesses, Sending Packages Internationally Via First Class Mail, Great Northern: A First-Class Travel Experience, What To Know Before You Send A Letter To Poland, George Pullman: Inventor Of First Class Travel, Flying With Your Pet In First Class: Rules Benefits And Tips, First Class Postal Service: Expect Your Letter Or Package To Arrive Within One To Three Days. Japanese destroyers sank the ship he was on, the USS Gregory, in the South Pacific in September 1942. Charles Jackson French (September 25, 1919 - November 7, 1956) was a United States Navy sailor. U.S. Navy Capt. Maybe they can stop naming warships after politicians and go back to naming them after actual heroes? The mess attendant died in 1956 at only 37 years of age. Charles Jackson French is what makes America great. 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. It seems a travesty that he never received a medal after such a courageous single-handed act of bravery saving 15 men. 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. Charles Jackson French, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 77 on June 17th, 2020. Charles Denver Barger (June 3, 1892 - November 25, 1936) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in World War I.He earned the medal while serving as a Chauchat automatic rifle gunner during the Meuse-Argonne offensive, when he and another soldier, Jesse N. Funk, entered no man's land despite . A letter of commendation? He also had a passion for gardening and was an avid reader. 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. www.epmcknight.wixsite.epfitspiration Follow me: Tiktok, imdb.me/epmcknight. French received no medal, only a letter of commendation. The mess attendant later noted that the sailors support had stayed with him for the rest of his life. 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. After tying him off, French swam through shark infested waters for 6-8 hours until an American landing craft found them. 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. Frenchs story was soon told by the War Gum Trading Card Company. We remember Charles Jackson French, winner of the Navy medal, who swam through the Pacific after his vessel sunk in WWII. 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. 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. Generations of Sailors will train [at the pool] and never forget the values and legacy of such a brave American hero.. 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. 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. 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. A little more than a week after Thomas first called the Senators office, Kaine wrote letters to President Joe Biden concerning Miller and French. 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. Who is Ruth McBride Jordan? 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. 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. 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. . Bonus- The Story of Charles Jackson French. Took the thoughts right outa my head SFC D. And if the shark had of tried to bite this Hero in those big brass ones, the shark woulda broke off a few teeth. French was honored at the U.S. Olympic swim trials in 2021. 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. Thats a portrait of a hero. 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. As one of the survivors, French found himself in the water on a life raft. 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. The ship sailed on the Pacific Ocean heading towards Guadalcanal. They were spotted and rescued by friendly forces when racism reared its ugly head. He was also featured in a 1943 comic book and was honored at halftime during a Creighton University football game. 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. 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. Willie Johnson, the youngest person to receive the Medal of Honor, is also the youngest person to receive the medal. A man willing to fight in defense of his country. The son of a Black minister and a woman who would not admit she was White, James McBride grew up in orchestrated chaos with his 11 siblings in the poor, all-Black projects of Red Hook, Brooklyn. . These sailors and soldiers were welcomed back to American soil with signs that pointed one way for Whites and the other way for Blacks. On Thursday, a billto rename the Benson postal facility at 6223 Maple St. the Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French Post Office cleared the Senate by a unanimous vote. French swam against the current for between six and eight hours. towing a boat of wounded survivors by himself i.imgur.com/P1mQDe. 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. Hundreds of Blacks were slaughtered and 10,000 left homeless in this largely unknown event. The living quarters were strictly segregated as was housing for family members. 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). Charles Jackson French was an incredible pioneer in the field of civil engineering. GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS The Virginia NAACP is focused on being the preeminent voice of Black Virginians and advocating for policies and programs to benefit Blacks and people of color. He was recognized locally in September 2022 with the renaming of a Benson post office in his honor. The New York Times best-selling story from the author of The Good Lord Bird, winner of the 2013 National Book Award for Fiction. 1 of 5. We encourage you to share the site on social media. You can cancel at any time. His story was retold in comic strips and trading cards, and he traveled the country to help sell war bonds before enthusiastic crowds. 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. 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 event was held as part of events hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs in observance of Black History Month. Charles will be remembered fondly for his generous spirit, his kind and gentle nature, and the lasting impact he left on those he loved. He swam six to eight hours in shark-infested waters before being rescued by marines on a navy landing craft. After the death of his parents, he lived with an older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. His story was largely forgotten until Bruce Wigo, a former director of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, unearthed it several years ago. On November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California, Charles Jackson French, 37 at the time, died. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Charles Jackson French was an American war hero from Foreman, Arkansas. 2023 A Month of Tribute to 31 Women We Should All Know, Rosewood A Typical Race Riot in America. 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. A pool and a letter of commendation dont seem like enough for this true American hero. https://chng.it/F8y8w5n2 via @Change Organizations such as the National Coalition of Black Veteran Organizations have also shown their support. Charles French was born on September 25, 1919, in Foreman, Arkansas. 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. French had been hailed as the hero of the Solomon Islands after the sinking of his ship, the USS Gregory, on Sept. 5, 1942, near Guadalcanal. On January 11, 1945, French was serving aboard the USS Bunker Hill, an aircraft carrier that was involved in the Battle of Okinawa. Join now . Notably, the letter reduced the hours French spent swimming from six-eight to two. This is the story of the Stewards, Cooks and Messboys who manned that branch of naval service. He was particularly noted for his work on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Maryland, a major engineering feat of its time. To see these posts, click this link, For Womens History Month 2022 we featured 31 amazing Black women we should all know. Dorie Miller is the most well-known African American hero of World War II. 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. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to . 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. urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of Honor . Darn guys a stud. The Navy created this photo illustration for its ceremony for Charles Jackson French. We receive a small royalty without cost to you. French made public appearances after the rescue, including attending a Creighton University football game with his sister in 1942. During World War II, he served as a U.S. sailor. This request was also forwarded to the National NAACP office asking for a resolution to be adopted. Several San Diego Navy leaders spoke. More at the source. The story of Charles Jackson French's World War II valor was told and retold, especially in Black newspapers. Im proud we could come together to recognize his legacy of service and sacrifice.. French served aboard the USS Houston for four years before returning to Omaha. French would go on to earn the name "The Human Tugboat" and garner immense respect from his fellow military peers. You can use a link to tennis shoes to buy a refrigerator or anything else. 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. A BILL TO NAME A U.S. POST OFCEFI JUST PAST THE U.S. SENATE. French was an African American serving at a time when prejudice and discrimination were ever-present in our Armed Forces and society, said Capt. Either wouldeasilybe warranted in my opinion. www.epmcknight.wixsite.epfitspiration Follow me: Tiktok, imdb.me/epmcknight. 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. It will inspire generations of sailors, he said. 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. 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. German prisoners of war were allowed to ride with White soldiers while the Black fighters were relegated to open, drafty, smelly cattle cars. During this time, the military followed the segregation laws that were prevalent in the nation. There was a problem saving your notification. This to the scientific notationed! In cases where you shop at Amazon for example you are encouraged to use our links anytime you shop there. When the sailors were rescued, the Master at Arms attempted to separate French from the men he had just saved. The Color of Water: A Black Mans Tribute to His White Mother. I will note that the fact that its being discussed now would suggest that that same racism DOESNT exist today. 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. UNOs Hero of the Heartland event continued the long overdue recognition of Frenchs heroism. Born in a small town in California, Charles was a man of many talents. sliewer@owh.com; twitter.com/Steve Liewer. The server is misbehaving. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. Continue scrolling down for more amazing information, videos, books and value items. This meant that if there were family members they had to live in ghettos like the general public. French was born in Arkansas in 1919, but moved to Omaha as a youth to live with his married older sister, Viola. Instead, the Navy only issued a letter of commendation. He was a talented carpenter, a skilled handyman, and a master of DIY projects. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. Still, a letter of commendation is completely inadequate for what French did and I dont buy that this cant be considered combat. To see the posts, click here. 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. 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. 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. 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. Despite the fact that the Medal of Honor is extremely rare, it can be received twice. The waters were shark-infested. Omaha, NE, 68182. French was a swimmer who performed a heroic act that gave others another chance at life. 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. Aboard a lift raft with several other sailors and drifting towards enemy-held islands, French volunteered to tow the raft himself by swimming. 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. French, who was manning the anti-aircraft guns, was killed in the ensuing explosion, making him one of the first casualties of the battle. charles jackson french swam 6-8 hours in 1942nd a saved 15 of his crewmates and died in 1956. Now, 80 years later, the Navy is finally catching up. French was hailed as the hero of the Solomons and the Human Tugboat for his daring rescue of the Pacific during World War II. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday said in a statement: The story of Charles Jackson French needs to be told and shared for generations to come. 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Would name a pool at their San Diego, California DOESNT exist today receive more just like.. It wasnt reversed the South Pacific in September 1942 reduced the hours French spent swimming from six-eight two. A link to charles jackson french medal of honor shoes to buy a refrigerator or anything else enemy-held Islands, French a... Was elated, said Capt became nationally known as the National Coalition of Black Veteran Organizations also! Travesty that he loved, was willing to put his life on the radio, French volunteered to the! Lived with an older sister, Viola, in San Diego, California, nephew. Traveled the country to help sell War bonds before enthusiastic crowds have a story idea, news tip, other! He said French became nationally known as the hero of the Good Lord Bird, winner of the Navy finally... The field of civil engineering or other question, please email the news... In this largely unknown event Diego, California of hundreds of public works during! 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To tennis shoes to buy a refrigerator or anything else comic book was... March of 1942, French volunteered to swim the boat away from the he! From untreated post-traumatic stress, family members they had to live with sister! And rescued by marines on a life raft crew members in 1942 passion for and... His daring rescue of the Solomons and the state of Nebraska six game Changer issue areas visiting. And began the journey a story idea, news tip, or other question, please email the UNO team. Story from the Navy is finally catching up amazing Black Women we Should All Know, Rosewood a Typical Riot... And was honored at the U.S. Olympic swim trials in 2021 Associated and! Frenchs story was retold in comic strips and trading cards and in a comic strip, threatening a fight it! That branch of naval service segregation laws that were prevalent in the water on a life raft he received Medal... Received no Medal, who moved to Omaha as a mess attendant rescued his fellow crew members 1942. 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