French was hailed as the hero of the Solomons and the Human Tugboat for his daring rescue of the Pacific during World War II. This whole story violates the laws of physics. A Change.org petition also was started Monday, urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of Honor. Yeah, I know, not with this illegitimate regime in place. He had first enlisted in the Navy in 1937 [1] and had completed his enlistment, moving to Omaha, Nebraska where he had family. This cartoon by Black artist Charles Alston for the U.S. Office of War Information celebrates the wartime valor of Charles Jackson French and two other Black sailors, Doris "Dorrie" Miller and Ervin Bell. During the attack on the USS Gregory, a destroyer, he was aboard in 1943. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. Phone: 402-444-1186. The rescued men angrily reacted to this decision, threatening a fight if it wasnt reversed. . The ultimate insult! Charles Jackson French was an American war hero from Foreman, Arkansas. 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. 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. 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. 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. The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. 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. 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. To see the full listing of over 250 posts, click on our Blog listWe post weekly, so check often, For Black History Month 2020, we posted daily. Dismiss. The omission remained on the record for more than four decades. That led to recognition during the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials held in Omaha in 2021. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. French like so many Black men believed that if they showed they were willing to fight for the country that the country would show them and people of their race some gratitude and equality only to return to the same situation they were fighting against. 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. He was a mess steward, one of the few positions Black sailors were then allowed to fill in the military. Todd Neikirk is a New Jersey-based politics, entertainment and history writer. UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, speaks to the bravery and courage of Charles Jackson French at the Hero of the Heartland event. Story\Experience 43 comments 100% Upvoted This thread is archived New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast Sort by: best The server is misbehaving. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. It has been reported that Charles Jackson French simply asked his injured crewmates, Just tell me if Im going the right way. Frenchs example shows that everyone has within themselves the capacity for great bravery. U.S. Navy Capt. "The country did . French was a swimmer who performed a heroic act that gave others another chance at life. Inaction has been a great injustice to the goodly Sergeants bravery and sacrifice, for him and his Troops. A man willing to fight in defense of his country. Charles French was born on September 25, 1919, in Foreman, Arkansas. 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. German prisoners of war were allowed to ride with White soldiers while the Black fighters were relegated to open, drafty, smelly cattle cars. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. Join now . Yet, history has overlooked him. Custer is the first soldier in US history to receive the militarys highest honor twice, as well as the first to do so twice. French would go on to earn the name "The Human Tugboat" and garner immense respect from his fellow military peers. 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. The story of the men who fought and served under trying circumstances. This petition starter stood up and took action. 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. 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French was also the only African American to appear on World War II patriotic trading cards issued by GUM, Inc. 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. 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 an incredible pioneer in the field of civil engineering. He quickly went to work pulling other sailors aboard with him. 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 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. French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates through shark-infested waters to safety near Guadalcanal. 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. The New York Times best-selling story from the author of The Good Lord Bird, winner of the 2013 National Book Award for Fiction. He was a true patriot whose dedication and dedication to country served as a model for future generations. Charles Jackson French: Hero Without a Medal. 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. 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. 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. In addition to newspaper and radio accounts, his story was told in bubble gum cards, comic strips, a calendar, even a verse by a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet. During World War II, he served as a U.S. sailor. French received no medal, only a letter of commendation. Since they were taking direct fire, Id feel the Navy Cross the more appropriate of the two. He was celebrated in the Black press and was even the subject of a syndicated comic strip. 1603) On June 20, 2022, President Biden signed it into law. I was happy to see that, as an American Black man, (French) got recognized.. While the ship attempted to fight back, the enemy fire was too much. 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. Virginia NAACP President Robert Barnette was pleased to have his Executive Committee give its unanimous support to Mrs. Thomas effort. We remember Charles Jackson French, winner of the Navy medal, who swam through the Pacific after his vessel sunk in WWII. Did I misread the Congressional Order, or did they not suspend the statute of limitations for review of awards where race may have played a issue in denial or downgrade of award. In May 2022, the Navy finally presented French'srelatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal in recognition of his heroics. Enter your email address below to receive updates each time we publish new content. Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French was an American hero who gave his life in service of his country. Now many feel that a letter of commendation for a heroic eight hour swim through sharks and enemy shell fire is not enough. His story was largely forgotten until Bruce Wigo, a former director of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, unearthed it several years ago. Schomburg dedicated his life to proving that teacher wrong and Schomburg did an amazing job with his collection. 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Jobs People Learning Dismiss Dismiss. To see these posts, click this link, For Womens History Month 2022 we featured 31 amazing Black women we should all know. This to the scientific notationed! 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. You can cancel at any time. He swam six to eight hours in shark-infested waters before being rescued by marines on a navy landing craft. In San Diego in 2022, French's family was presented with his posthumous Navy and Marine Corps medal. Perhaps racism played a role in French not receiving proper recognition. As one of the survivors, French found himself in the water on a life raft. Charles Jackson French, an African American orphan, and championship-caliber swimmer navigated shark infested waters for about eight hours during. The event was held as part of events hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs in observance of Black History Month. sliewer@owh.com; twitter.com/Steve Liewer. 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. 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. The Navy dedicated a pool there to French. 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. Organizations such as the National Coalition of Black Veteran Organizations have also shown their support. Category: Historical, Navy, Valor, War Stories, We Remember. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Submit a Public Notice for Omaha World-Herald, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Dirk Chatelain: Driven by the story, mine at The World-Herald has come to an end (for now at least), Time to move? French stayed in the military until the end of the war, then took a civilian job with the Navy in San Diego. 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. 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. To comment or make suggestions on future posts, use Contact Us. This is the story of Charles Jackson French, who rescued several soldiers during the Battle of Guadalcanal. The Virginia NAACP is anticipating their favorable response. During his service, he received a letter of commendation from the commander of the Southern Pacific Fleet, Adm. William F. Halsey, Jr. Please subscribe to keep reading. https://chng.it/F8y8w5n2 via @Change Name a warship after this Hero. 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, Charles Jackson French died in 1956 and is buried in Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California. . He deserves at least the Navy Cross. I [just] froze and tried to surface and float, [get] my feet outta the water.. The bravery that he demonstrated serves as a reminder of the sacrifices that can be made at any age. 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. He enjoys sports, politics, comic books, and anything that has to do with history. When Is The Best Time To Buy First Class Airline Tickets? French was an African American serving at a time when prejudice and discrimination were ever-present in our Armed Forces and society, said Capt. This request was also forwarded to the National NAACP office asking for a resolution to be adopted. The ship sailed on the Pacific Ocean heading towards Guadalcanal. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. 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. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. Perhaps it was that he wasnt considered to be in combat. U . He was particularly noted for his work on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Maryland, a major engineering feat of its time. Growing Up and Early Naval Days. He is shown here later in his career, as a lieutenant commander. Required fields are marked *. 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 had been born on Sept. 25, 1919, in Foreman, Arkansas. This is the story of the Stewards, Cooks and Messboys who manned that branch of naval service. Kind of sounds like it. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. Charles Jackson French saved 15 men from the USS Gregory in September of 1942. Charles French managed to load fifteen injured crew members onto a life raft and then tied a rope to the raft and secured the other end to his waist, after which he swam for eight hours through shark-infested water until they were rescued, but received no recommendation for the Medal of Honor. French was a swimmer who performed a heroic act that gave others another chance at life. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to a Black man. 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. The Navy and Marine Corps Medal, the highest award for heroism not in combat and the non-combat equivalent of the Navy Cross, had only been created by executive order a month before Frenchs actions. Navy officials escorted members of Frenchs family to his gravesite at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, on San Diegos Point Loma peninsula. During the melee, fifteen sailors were put abord a life raft but there was danger that they would drift towards land. That inquiry helped bring about last weeks award ceremony. We also posted a 5 part mini-series on the 100th anniversary of one of the most horrific massacres in the history of America. Charles Jackson French (September 25, 1919 - November 7, 1956) was a United States Navy sailor. U.S. Navy Capt. 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! 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. French, a strong swimmer since youth, volunteered to swim the boat away from the Japanese island. 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. 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. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. This activity includes urging President Biden to posthumously confer the Medals of Honor on Doris Miller and Charles French.. We receive a small royalty without cost to you. Proclamations naming the Benson post office in his uncle's honor are featured on easels in front of the stage. The Hero of the Heartland event will honor additional local heroes in the coming years. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. 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. Who is Ruth McBride Jordan? 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. Little is known of his earliest days. Charles Jackson French was discharged from the Navy on Nov. 13, 1941, but reenlisted a month later after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Aboard a lift raft with several other sailors and drifting towards enemy-held islands, French volunteered to tow the raft himself by swimming. Adrian also recommended him for a Navy Cross, the Navys second-highest award for valor, but he received only a letter of commendation. 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. The Southern.Life is a publication of Emerson Parker Press, which is owned and operated by Jim Harris and his wife, Marian. No medal. The link to these posts is here. 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. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.. Roughly 15 survivors of the Gregory, some injured, were gathered in a life raft. 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. More at the source. Eric Ewing, executive director of the Great Plains Black History Museum, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. We know of this story because of the courage demonstrated by Ensign Robert N Adrian, the only officer from the bridge of the Gregory to survive. I read about this on Facebook some time ago. Charles Jackson French's draft registration card. Maybe they can stop naming warships after politicians and go back to naming them after actual heroes? Or even going back to the 90s when a lot of this (blacks finally getting the awards they deserve) started to happen. The information that we present to everyone is extremely important, and a small donation can help us keep it that way. This might be the first time I agree with Malcolm Nance. The mess attended tied a rope around his waist and the boat and began the journey. 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. USA Swimming honored him at the finals of the 2021 Swim Trials in June. A Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates. The French and five other brave sailors swam for up to eight hours to rescue all but eleven of the crew after they were stranded on the sea. Bonus- The Story of Charles Jackson French. French was a swimmer who performed a. 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. He was a generous and kind soul who was always willing to lend a helping hand. 6001 Dodge Street, 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. Although he demonstrated extreme bravery, instead of the Medal of Honor, all French received was a nice letter from the U. S. Navy. I like TOWs suggestion too. Both Miller and French have been highly decorated for their service, but Thomas wants to see them awarded the top honor. In cases where you shop at Amazon for example you are encouraged to use our links anytime you shop there. But after his parents died, he moved to. We depend on your support and thank you for it! This is a close as you can get to a system of slavery as it is forced on the service member. Several San Diego Navy leaders spoke. 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. French swam against the current for between six and eight hours. Kudos to the man that stepped up and saved himself and others from the awful fate of becoming Jap POWs. Use our links to Amazon anytime you shop Amazon. His work has been featured in psfk.com, foxsports.com, politicususa.com and hillreporter.com. 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. His innovative methods of construction and design, along with his exceptional organizational skills, made him a highly sought-after engineer across the United States. A pool and a letter of commendation dont seem like enough for this true American hero. Thats when French a 22-year-old sailor in the racially segregated messman branch volunteered to tow them to safety, the article states. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. 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. This was one of the few assignments available to Black troops and included stevedores, stewards. Himself in the coming years that can be made at any age tried to and. 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