Follow him on Twitter @SteveLiewer. Kudos to the man that stepped up and saved himself and others from the awful fate of becoming Jap POWs. The story of Frenchs bravery was celebrated at the time but then largely forgotten for decades. It is the service's highest award for noncombat heroism . He is shown here later in his career, as a lieutenant commander. During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. In 2022, the Navy announced that they would name a pool at their San Diego base in Frenchs honor. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to . While the sailors in the life raft were off the burning ship, they were still in deep trouble. Apparently part of the reason that he did not receive an award was that the Navy was reluctant to give him a medal equal or higher to what his ships commander received, and he was killed in the action. sliewer@owh.com; twitter.com/Steve Liewer. 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. French was born in Arkansas in 1919, but moved to Omaha as a youth to live with his married older sister, Viola. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Don Bacon,cleared the House of Representatives in March. Enter your email address below to receive updates each time we publish new content. ** 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. On November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California, Charles Jackson French, 37 at the time, died. 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. He was a talented carpenter, a skilled handyman, and a master of DIY projects. Adrian retired from the Navy in 1966 and died in 2011, without succeeding. The wording of the letter follows. Darn guys a stud. To see the posts, click here. A little more than a week after Thomas first called the Senators office, Kaine wrote letters to President Joe Biden concerning Miller and French. www.epmcknight.wixsite.epfitspiration Follow me: Tiktok, imdb.me/epmcknight. We're doing our best to get things working smoothly! Nothing of value. The waters were shark-infested. "The country did . They were spotted and rescued by friendly forces when racism reared its ugly head. This meant that if there were family members they had to live in ghettos like the general public. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates through shark-infested waters to safety near Guadalcanal. USA Swimming honored him at the finals of the 2021 Swim Trials in June. Soon after, a bill passed the Nebraska legislature to name an Omaha post office for him. Charles Jackson French's draft registration card. It would seem to me well past the point to review Frenchs case. This might be the first time I agree with Malcolm Nance. If you have a story idea, news tip, or other question, please email the UNO News team at unonews@unomaha.edu. 6001 Dodge Street, 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. During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. During World War I he served under the name Charles F. Hoffman. 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. Please subscribe to keep reading. I read about this on Facebook some time ago. 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. In San Diego in 2022, French's family was presented with his posthumous Navy and Marine Corps medal. The first was an enlistment was in 1937 when he served four years before receiving an honorable discharge in 1941. Required fields are marked *. 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 post office renaming is important to his family, the community of Omaha, and the state of Nebraska. More at the source. He quickly went to work pulling other sailors aboard with him. 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. His own father served in the war, too. Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French was an American hero who gave his life in service of his country. 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. While the ship attempted to fight back, the enemy fire was too much. 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. The Arkansas native had moved to Omaha to live with his sister as a youth after his parents died, and he became one of the most famous Black war heroes of the 1940s. Charles Jackson French was discharged from the Navy on Nov. 13, 1941, but reenlisted a month later after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. 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. Born in a small town in California, Charles was a man of many talents. The ships first class is the Petty Officer 1st Class. Im proud we could come together to recognize his legacy of service and sacrifice.. 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. . Benjamin Selph echoed Lis remarks, encouraging those in attendance to take inspiration from Frenchs courageous act. The server is misbehaving. He deserves a higher award, and a destroyer named in his honor. You have permission to edit this article. It is a fact that the victors in battle or those in power in peace write the history of past events to support their views of what should have happened versus the cold hard facts. 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. Thems the devils fish. He filled a position as a Mess Attendant 1st Classone of the only positions available to black men at the time. 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. Still, a letter of commendation is completely inadequate for what French did and I dont buy that this cant be considered combat. In 2011, the National Board of the NAACP passed a resolution requesting the Medal Of Honor for Doris (Dorie) Miller. 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. UNOs Hero of the Heartland event continued the long overdue recognition of Frenchs heroism. He was a powerful swimmer and towed the raft for somewhere between six and eight hours throughout the night, until a landing craft discovered and rescued them. You gotta be kidding me. Well, that was the racism of the times, one has to admit. There was a problem saving your notification. The gunfire hit two of the ships boilers and the Gregory was set ablaze by the fire. 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. Continue scrolling down for more amazing information, videos, books and value items. 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. Adrian also recommended him for a Navy Cross, the Navys second-highest award for valor, but he received only a letter of commendation. Several San Diego Navy leaders spoke. The ship sailed on the Pacific Ocean heading towards Guadalcanal. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of Frenchs relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. A man who served and re-enlisted again when we entered World War II. Interspersed in these are items from partners with Amazing Black History that allow you to support our work without cost to you as we are paid a small royalty by the partner. This was one of the few assignments available to Black troops and included stevedores, stewards. The night that propelled Charles Jackson French into the role of hero was September 5, 1942, when enemy bombs sank the U.S.S. 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. It seems a travesty that he never received a medal after such a courageous single-handed act of bravery saving 15 men. Charles Jackson French is what makes America great. Frenchs story was soon told by the War Gum Trading Card Company. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. This is the story of Charles Jackson French, who rescued several soldiers during the Battle of Guadalcanal. [2] 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 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. 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. Lets get this HERO the Medal of Honor, Forgotten: The Untold Story of D-days Black Heroes, at Home and at War. 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. 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. The living quarters were strictly segregated as was housing for family members. Inspiring Stories of Black History and Achievement. 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. During the melee, fifteen sailors were put abord a life raft but there was danger that they would drift towards land. Since they were taking direct fire, Id feel the Navy Cross the more appropriate of the two. French was the first black swimmer to earn the Navy Medal for his heroism in 1943. 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. Benjamin Selph shares recognition for Charles Jackson French on behalf of the Navy. 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. A man discriminated against by the country that he loved, was willing to put his life on the line for. This is the story of the Stewards, Cooks and Messboys who manned that branch of naval service. Yeah, I know, not with this illegitimate regime in place. A pool used to train rescue swimmers at Naval Base San Diego also was named in Frenchs honor at the ceremony. Story\Experience 43 comments 100% Upvoted This thread is archived New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast Sort by: best He disrobed and with assistance tied the tow rope around his waist and swam what is estimated to be six to eight hours. Aside: f*ck sharks. Willie Johnson, the youngest person to receive the Medal of Honor, is also the youngest person to receive the medal. 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. Virginia NAACP President Robert Barnette was pleased to have his Executive Committee give its unanimous support to Mrs. Thomas effort. French, a strong swimmer since youth, volunteered to swim the boat away from the Japanese island. 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. 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 . Itwould ef. 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. Bonus- The Story of Charles Jackson French. A 1943 "True Comics" account of the valor of Charles Jackson French after his ship was sunk at Guadalcanal. 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. The omission remained on the record for more than four decades. https://chng.it/F8y8w5n2 via @Change 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. 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. Generations of Sailors will train [at the pool] and never forget the values and legacy of such a brave American hero.. As a result, he is an inspiring example of the bravery and commitment of our youth. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. I will note that the fact that its being discussed now would suggest that that same racism DOESNT exist today. 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. 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. A Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates. After tying him off, French swam through shark infested waters for 6-8 hours until an American landing craft found them. French had only been out of the Navy for a couple of months when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Little is known of his earliest days. During his service, he received a letter of commendation from the commander of the Southern Pacific Fleet, Adm. William F. Halsey, Jr. The ultimate insult! I nearly peed on myself when one of them sharks [touched] my feet. French was a swimmer who performed a. The Color of Water: A Black Mans Tribute to His White Mother. These are the least desired jobs possible and beneath the White troops. 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. He was celebrated in the Black press and was even the subject of a syndicated comic strip. The actions of the French will never be forgotten, as will their ultimate sacrifice. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it. He told the story to the Associated Press which he also did on NBC radio program It Happened in the Service., Ensign Robert N. Adrian was awarded the Purple Heart and the man who rescued him got a letter meritorious conduct in action. American sailors attempted to separate French from the men he had rescued, but they rebelled, and the American sailors relented. 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