He will be missed dearly by his family and friends. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. 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. You can try refreshing the page, and if you're still having problems, just try again later. S. House of Representatives: Demand a Congressional Medal of Honor for Petty Officer Charles Jackson French - Sign the Petition! We remember Charles Jackson French, winner of the Navy medal, who swam through the Pacific after his vessel sunk in WWII. Ive always felt glad to be a proud American, Harris said. Their orders were to man a curtain of armed balloons meant to deter enemy aircraft. 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 first was an enlistment was in 1937 when he served four years before receiving an honorable discharge in 1941. Copyrighted content researched and produced by DragonDen Productions ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Thats when French a 22-year-old sailor in the racially segregated messman branch volunteered to tow them to safety, the article states. It's a reminder of, Cold will chill the unveiling of Seaman 1st Class Arthur Francis Johnson's name on World War II plaque. . During World War II, he served as a U.S. sailor. Despite the fact that more than one million African Americans served, not a single Black soldier received the Medal of Honor. 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. Continue scrolling down for more amazing information, videos, books and value items. 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. He re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor where he was assigned to be a mess attendant. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. 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. The ships first class is the Petty Officer 1st Class. As one of the survivors, French found himself in the water on a life raft. 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. The mess attendant rescued his fellow crew members in 1942, after their ship was sunk in the Solomon Islands. Name a warship after this Hero. 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. (H.R. Although he demonstrated extreme bravery, instead of the Medal of Honor, all French received was a nice letter from the U. S. Navy. French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates through shark-infested waters to safety near Guadalcanal. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. Willie Johnson, the youngest person to receive the Medal of Honor, is also the youngest person to receive the medal. ** Custer is the first soldier in US history to receive the militarys highest honor twice, as well as the first to do so twice. He certainly earned a much higher award than he was given. French became famous after his commander, Ensign Robert Adrian, told the story on a radio program broadcast across the country. During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. A Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates. A self-declared light-skinned woman evasive about her ethnicity, yet steadfast in her love for her 12 Black children. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men was adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. The Southern.Life is a publication of Emerson Parker Press, which is owned and operated by Jim Harris and his wife, Marian. There was no escape from racism despite putting your life on the line for your country. Miller wasnt the only African-American hero of World War II, though. 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. Charles Jackson French and his sister, Viola, were honored at a Creighton football game in Omaha on Oct. 31, 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. It is not necessary to purchase the item in the link. While the sailors in the life raft were off the burning ship, they were still in deep trouble. No medal. Change.org Uh oh. Since they were taking direct fire, Id feel the Navy Cross the more appropriate of the two. A little more than a week after Thomas first called the Senators office, Kaine wrote letters to President Joe Biden concerning Miller and French. Charles Jackson French: Hero Without a Medal. He had first enlisted in the Navy in 1937 [1] and had completed his enlistment, moving to Omaha, Nebraska where he had family. They were spotted and rescued by friendly forces when racism reared its ugly head. A BILL TO NAME A U.S. POST OFCEFI JUST PAST THE U.S. SENATE. 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. This blog was created to share a passion for all things Southern. Dismiss. In time it was learned that Charles Jackson French stood 5'8" tall and weighed 195 pounds. Charles Jackson French (September 25, 1919 - November 7, 1956) was a United States Navy sailor. Teachers are pumped. I nearly peed on myself when one of them sharks [touched] my feet. His story was retold in comic strips and trading cards, and he traveled the country to help sell war bonds before enthusiastic crowds. You can cancel at any time. French was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal in recognition of his bravery and combat action. He was born in Foreman, Arkansas on September 25, 1919. The mess attended tied a rope around his waist and the boat and began the journey. 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. He deserves at least the Navy Cross. 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. Keith Station, deputy chief of staff for diversity, equity, & inclusion for the City of Omaha, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. Nothing of value. 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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. 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. Omaha, NE, 68182. I will note that the fact that its being discussed now would suggest that that same racism DOESNT exist today. French was a swimmer who performed a heroic act that gave others another chance at life. Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. 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 . French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. The bravery that he demonstrated serves as a reminder of the sacrifices that can be made at any age. These posts focus on the reality of Black life in America after the Civil War culminating in the landmark Brown v Board of Education that changed so many of the earlier practices. As a result, he is an inspiring example of the bravery and commitment of our youth. Both Miller and French have been highly decorated for their service, but Thomas wants to see them awarded the top honor. 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. Bloomsbury presents Immortal Valor by Robert Child, read by Vaughn Johseph. A pool used to train rescue swimmers at Naval Base San Diego also was named in Frenchs honor at the ceremony. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. 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. You gotta be kidding me. It is time to honor those who deserve honor! French was a swimmer who performed a heroic act that gave others another chance at life. 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. Dismiss. Inspiring Stories of Black History and Achievement. The actions of the French will never be forgotten, as will their ultimate sacrifice. 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. This is the story of Charles Jackson French, who rescued several soldiers during the Battle of Guadalcanal. French was hailed as the hero of the Solomons and the Human Tugboat for his daring rescue of the Pacific during World War II. The wording of the letter follows. 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. On January 11, 1945, French was serving aboard the USS Bunker Hill, an aircraft carrier . 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. 6001 Dodge Street, The gunfire hit two of the ships boilers and the Gregory was set ablaze by the fire. I was happy to see that, as an American Black man, (French) got recognized.. I like TOWs suggestion too. 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. Schomburg dedicated his life to proving that teacher wrong and Schomburg did an amazing job with his collection. The Hero of the Heartland event will honor additional local heroes in the coming years. www.epmcknight.wixsite.epfitspiration Follow me: Tiktok, imdb.me/epmcknight. 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. You can use a link to tennis shoes to buy a refrigerator or anything else. That inquiry helped bring about last weeks award ceremony. 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 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. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.. French enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1937 and served four years. When bombs sank the. If you have a story idea, news tip, or other question, please email the UNO News team at unonews@unomaha.edu. Despite the fact that the Medal of Honor is extremely rare, it can be received twice. 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. 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. His story was largely forgotten until Bruce Wigo, a former director of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, unearthed it several years ago. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. 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. During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. 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). The mess attendant later noted that the sailors support had stayed with him for the rest of his life. It took so long.. 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. 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. 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. Charles Jackson French, an African American orphan, and championship-caliber swimmer navigated shark infested waters for about eight hours during. Charles Jackson French's draft registration card. 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. 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