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. 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. Will you do the same? The story of Frenchs bravery was celebrated at the time but then largely forgotten for decades. This activity includes urging President Biden to posthumously confer the Medals of Honor on Doris Miller and Charles French.. 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 are the least desired jobs possible and beneath the White troops. French served aboard the USS Houston for four years before returning to Omaha. It is time to honor those who deserve honor! One member of the 320th would be nominated for the Medal of Honor, an award he would never receive because the nations highest decoration was not given to black soldiers in World War II. His work has been featured in psfk.com, foxsports.com, politicususa.com and hillreporter.com. We depend on your support and thank you for it! It would seem to me well past the point to review Frenchs case. Information from ISHOF, military.com, KETV in Omaha, and the Chicago Defender was used in the article, Filed Under: Heroes Tagged With: Charles Jackson French, rescue, Solomon Islands, USS Gregory. During the melee, fifteen sailors were put abord a life raft but there was danger that they would drift towards land. 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. It took so long.. Thats a portrait of a hero. In the end, there were fifteen additional sailors on the raft with the mess attendant. A man discriminated against by the country that he loved, was willing to put his life on the line for. Use our links to Amazon anytime you shop Amazon. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. Itwould ef. UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, spoke at the event, pointing to how his actions can inspire us all to be heroes in our own way. Charles Jackson French (September 25, 1919 - November 7, 1956) was a United States Navy sailor. Either wouldeasilybe warranted in my opinion. During World War I he served under the name Charles F. Hoffman. Ted Carlson, commander of Naval Base San Diego, which makes this recognition of Charles (Jackson) Frenchs heroic actions even more significant.. French was born in Arkansas in 1919, but moved to Omaha as a youth to live with his married older sister, Viola. 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. S. House of Representatives: Demand a Congressional Medal of Honor for Petty Officer Charles Jackson French - Sign the Petition! The waters were shark-infested. 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. 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 saved 15 men from the USS Gregory in September of 1942. 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 is what makes America great. French was honored at the U.S. Olympic swim trials in 2021. He certainly earned a much higher award than he was given. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Correction: This story has been corrected to state that the bill passed by the Senate was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Don Bacon. French had only been out of the Navy for a couple of months when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. We encourage you to share the site on social media. There is a campaign requesting a Congressional Medal of Honor is awarded to French. "The country did . The first was an enlistment was in 1937 when he served four years before receiving an honorable discharge in 1941. 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 particularly noted for his work on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Maryland, a major engineering feat of its time. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. Follow him on Twitter @SteveLiewer. His story was largely forgotten until Bruce Wigo, a former director of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, unearthed it several years ago. The VSC NAACP is in full support of Thomass campaign. Author and Navy veteran Malcolm Nance got the services attention Sunday when he tagged several official accounts in a Twitter post about French. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. Please subscribe to keep reading. While the sailors in the life raft were off the burning ship, they were still in deep trouble. 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. 80 years later, Omaha hero who swam in shark-infested waters receives Navy honor. GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS Thems the devils fish. Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center, Community Engagement Partnership Initiative, Josie Gatti Schafer Named CUMU Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Research Fellow, #NUforNE: Keeping Nebraska Communities Healthy, Social Mobility, Experiential Learning Focus of Interview with UNO Chancellor Li, University of Nebraska Omaha, As a result, he is an inspiring example of the bravery and commitment of our youth. Change.org Uh oh. BZ PO1 French! A letter of commendation? This is his jaw-dropping story. He died in 1956, at age 37, of depression and alcoholism from untreated post-traumatic stress, family members say. The mess attended tied a rope around his waist and the boat and began the journey. Future Hero of the Heartland events may be held during other heritage months to celebrate heroes among a broad array of diverse ethnic groups. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. If the latter, the Navy and Marine Corps Medal might have been the most apropos award. Charles Jackson French died in 1956 and is buried in Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California. You can read more about the Virginia NAACPs work and our six Game Changer issue areas by visiting NAACPVA.org. 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. It is not necessary to purchase the item in the link. 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. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it. In his interview with Wright, French described the intense racism he encountered, even after he helped save his shipmates. French would go on to earn the name "The Human Tugboat" and garner immense respect from his fellow military peers. 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. . On September 4th of 1942, the USS Gregory found itself under attack from Japanese destroyers. 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. Little is known of his earliest days. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Sergeant Major Ernest August Janson (August 17, 1878 - May 14, 1930) was a United States Marine who was highly decorated for his heroic actions in World War I. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Inspiring Stories of Black History and Achievement. French made public appearances after the rescue, including attending a Creighton University football game with his sister in 1942. Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French swam through shark-infested waters for hours while towing a raft loaded with 15 of his wounded USS Gregory shipmates. Its wonderful news that legislation to recognize Charles Jackson Frenchs incredible heroism is headed to the presidents desk, Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer, who had introduced companion legislation in the Senate, said in a statement. Charles Jackson French was an American war hero from Foreman, Arkansas. And while were at it can we please award Alwyn Cashes family his much deserved MOH.please. In May 2022, the Navy finally presented French'srelatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal in recognition of his heroics. He was a talented carpenter, a skilled handyman, and a master of DIY projects. This is the story of Charles Jackson French, who rescued several soldiers during the Battle of Guadalcanal. On January 11, 1945, French was serving aboard the USS Bunker Hill, an aircraft carrier that was involved in the Battle of Okinawa. Bloomsbury presents Immortal Valor by Robert Child, read by Vaughn Johseph. Within days, French, 22, reenlisted. A 1943 "True Comics" account of the valor of Charles Jackson French after his ship was sunk at Guadalcanal. 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. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. French was the first black swimmer to earn the Navy Medal for his heroism in 1943. That inquiry helped bring about last weeks award ceremony. 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. 2022 State Convention | NAACP: The Urgency of Now, 2023 Virginia NAACP Legislative Priorities, Copyright 2023 Charles will be remembered fondly for his generous spirit, his kind and gentle nature, and the lasting impact he left on those he loved. I like TOWs suggestion too. 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. 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. Story\Experience 43 comments 100% Upvoted This thread is archived New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast Sort by: best 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! Although he demonstrated extreme bravery, instead of the Medal of Honor, all French received was a nice letter from the U. S. Navy. 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. The night that propelled Charles Jackson French into the role of hero was September 5, 1942, when enemy bombs sank the U.S.S. 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. More at the source. Linda Thomas of Bowling Green, Virginia, wants President Joe Biden to award the Medal of Honor to Black World War II Navy heroes Doris Miller and Charles Jackson French. Charles Jackson French was discharged from the Navy on Nov. 13, 1941, but reenlisted a month later after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He was born in Foreman, Arkansas on September 25, 1919. It only took 3 minutes for the ship to sink. Now many feel that a letter of commendation for a heroic eight hour swim through sharks and enemy shell fire is not enough. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. 1 of 5. 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. German prisoners of war were allowed to ride with White soldiers while the Black fighters were relegated to open, drafty, smelly cattle cars. There was a problem saving your notification. This button displays the currently selected search type. Enter your email address below to receive updates each time we publish new content. Soon Frenchs name will be immortalized in Omaha, too. He was a mess steward, one of the few positions Black sailors were then allowed to fill in the military. 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. 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. When he is not sitting in front of a laptop, Todd enjoys soaking up everything the Jersey Shore has to offer with his wife, two sons and American Foxhound, Wally. Virginia NAACP President Robert Barnette was pleased to have his Executive Committee give its unanimous support to Mrs. Thomas effort. The story of Charles Jackson French's World War II valor was told and retold, especially in Black newspapers. 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. Dismiss. He was responsible for the development and construction of hundreds of public works projects during his career. 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. French, a strong swimmer since youth, volunteered to swim the boat away from the Japanese island. You gotta be kidding me. This to the scientific notationed! Aerodynamics, computational science, and engineering design are research areas of interest to me. Continue scrolling down for more amazing information, videos, books and value items. The ultimate insult! To see the posts, click here. In March of 1942, French was assigned to the USS Gregory (APD-3). Navy officials escorted members of Frenchs family to his gravesite at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, on San Diegos Point Loma peninsula. 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. 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. Proclamations naming the Benson post office in his uncle's honor are featured on easels in front of the stage. 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. } } { { start_price } } { { format_cents } } { { format_cents } } /month + ). 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