charles jackson french medal of honor

French would go on to earn the name "The Human Tugboat" and garner immense respect from his fellow military peers. 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. A Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates. Charles Jackson French died in 1956 and is buried in Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California. I read about this on Facebook some time ago. {{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? Bloomsbury presents Immortal Valor by Robert Child, read by Vaughn Johseph. Continue to scroll for fascinating Videos and Books to enhance your learning experience. 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. French stayed in the military until the end of the war, then took a civilian job with the Navy in San Diego. Kind of sounds like it. You gotta be kidding me. Ive always felt glad to be a proud American, Harris said. To comment or make suggestions on future posts, use Contact Us. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. 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. Charles Jackson French's draft registration card. 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 living quarters were strictly segregated as was housing for family members. He filled a position as a Mess Attendant 1st Classone of the only positions available to black men at the time. French made public appearances after the rescue, including attending a Creighton University football game with his sister in 1942. This activity includes urging President Biden to posthumously confer the Medals of Honor on Doris Miller and Charles French.. Yet, history has overlooked him. Omaha, NE, 68182. Hundreds of Blacks were slaughtered and 10,000 left homeless in this largely unknown event. Charles Jackson French was discharged from the Navy on Nov. 13, 1941, but reenlisted a month later after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Dorie Miller is the most well-known African American hero of World War II. 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. Virginia NAACP President Robert Barnette was pleased to have his Executive Committee give its unanimous support to Mrs. Thomas effort. But after his parents died, he moved to. S. House of Representatives: Demand a Congressional Medal of Honor for Petty Officer Charles Jackson French - Sign the Petition! Thats a portrait of a hero. He disrobed and with assistance tied the tow rope around his waist and swam what is estimated to be six to eight hours. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. charles jackson french swam 6-8 hours in 1942nd a saved 15 of his crewmates and died in 1956. 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. He served two stints in the Navy. Soon after, a bill passed the Nebraska legislature to name an Omaha post office for him. We, the undersigned, call upon Congress and the President of the United States to correct this travesty and give Petty Officer French the recognition he deserved for his selfless act of bravery. 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. www.epmcknight.wixsite.epfitspiration Follow me: Tiktok, imdb.me/epmcknight. Chester French, nephew of Charles Jackson French, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. But French said he wasnt afraid. Perhaps racism played a role in French not receiving proper recognition. Little is known of his earliest days. Born in a small town in California, Charles was a man of many talents. After the death of his parents, he lived with an older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. Since they were taking direct fire, Id feel the Navy Cross the more appropriate of the two. French was also the only African American to appear on World War II patriotic trading cards issued by GUM, Inc. 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. French swam against the current for between six and eight hours. On January 11, 1945, French was serving aboard the USS Bunker Hill, an aircraft carrier that was involved in the Battle of Okinawa. 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. 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. A letter of commendation? After his military service, French developed alcoholism and depression. German prisoners of war were allowed to ride with White soldiers while the Black fighters were relegated to open, drafty, smelly cattle cars. 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. I say MOH. In cases where you shop at Amazon for example you are encouraged to use our links anytime you shop there. Frenchs story was soon told by the War Gum Trading Card Company. Aboard a lift raft with several other sailors and drifting towards enemy-held islands, French volunteered to tow the raft himself by swimming. 80 years later, Omaha hero who swam in shark-infested waters receives Navy honor. The ensign told French the plan was crazy, that they were surrounded by sharks and he would only get himself killed. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. He was particularly noted for his work on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Maryland, a major engineering feat of its time. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of Frenchs relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. Enter your email address below to receive updates each time we publish new content. He swam six to eight hours in shark-infested waters before being rescued by marines on a navy landing craft. Adrian also recommended him for a Navy Cross, the Navys second-highest award for valor, but he received only a letter of commendation. Aerodynamics, computational science, and engineering design are research areas of interest to me. A little more than a week after Thomas first called the Senators office, Kaine wrote letters to President Joe Biden concerning Miller and French. He remembers meeting his uncle during World War II just after the famous rescue and being inspired to learn to swim. 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. 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. 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 was also featured in a 1943 comic book and was honored at halftime during a Creighton University football game. 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. Darn guys a stud. It seems a travesty that he never received a medal after such a courageous single-handed act of bravery saving 15 men. After the death of his parents, he lived with his older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. Will you do the same? 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. In March of 1942, French was assigned to the USS Gregory (APD-3). 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 saved 15 men from the USS Gregory in September of 1942. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. Ted Carlson, commander of Naval Base San Diego. 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. When Is The Best Time To Buy First Class Airline Tickets? A pool and a letter of commendation dont seem like enough for this true American 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. The mess attendant rescued his fellow crew members in 1942, after their ship was sunk in the Solomon Islands. During the battle, the Bunker Hill was struck by two kamikaze planes which caused the ship to suffer a massive explosion. For Black History Month 2022 we focused on Health and Wellness in the Black Community. His wife, Linda, called the event just awesome., It makes you want to cry, she said. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. We also did a mini-series on the Schomburg Center for Research a most amazing collection of Black history and culture. 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. He deserves a higher award, and a destroyer named in his honor. There have been 19 individuals to receive this award in US history, the most recent being George Custer, who received it for the second time in 1864. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. Will definitely agree that he earned a higher award than was given. 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. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. These are the least desired jobs possible and beneath the White troops. In May 2022, the Navy finally presented French'srelatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal in recognition of his heroics. To see this mini-series, click here. He quickly went to work pulling other sailors aboard with him. To see these posts, click this link, For Womens History Month 2022 we featured 31 amazing Black women we should all know. French successfully brought the men to safety on the shores of the Solomon Islands. He was a mess steward, one of the few positions Black sailors were then allowed to fill in the military. 2023 A Month of Tribute to 31 Women We Should All Know, Rosewood A Typical Race Riot in America. He was a talented carpenter, a skilled handyman, and a master of DIY projects. Todd Neikirk is a New Jersey-based politics, entertainment and history writer. On November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California, Charles Jackson French, 37 at the time, died. . Ensign Adrian fought for French to receive the Medal of Honor for his heroic rescue. 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. French was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal in recognition of his bravery and combat action. 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 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. Benjamin Selph shares recognition for Charles Jackson French on behalf of the Navy. 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. 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. He was responsible for the development and construction of hundreds of public works projects during his career. I was elated, said Chester French Jr. of Omaha, Charles nephew, who attended along with several other French family members. 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. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to . The ships first class is the Petty Officer 1st Class. Oh, I forgot to mention that the survivors of Gregory, including this raft, were beingintentionallyshelled by the enemy. His story was largely forgotten until Bruce Wigo, a former director of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, unearthed it several years ago. USA Swimming honored him at the finals of the 2021 Swim Trials in June. We also posted a 5 part mini-series on the 100th anniversary of one of the most horrific massacres in the history of America. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. 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. 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. His own father served in the war, too. Retroactive to 7 December 1941, the criteria and procedure for award of the medal were likely not yet formalized when word of Frenchs heroics came in. French was a swimmer who performed a. 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. Kudos to the man that stepped up and saved himself and others from the awful fate of becoming Jap POWs. Dismiss. It is the service's highest award for noncombat heroism . 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. 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. The inaugural Hero of the Heartland event, hosted by UNOs Office of Multicultural Affairs and UNOs Military-Connected Resource Center, honored a World War II hero whose acts have been largely forgotten for decades. Charles Jackson French, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 77 on June 17th, 2020. Author and Navy veteran Malcolm Nance got the services attention Sunday when he tagged several official accounts in a Twitter post about French. And while were at it can we please award Alwyn Cashes family his much deserved MOH.please. Brown noted that, with Frenchs name and photo attached to the Navy pool, his story will be told well into the future. The Southern.Life is a publication of Emerson Parker Press, which is owned and operated by Jim Harris and his wife, Marian. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) launched a new series to recognize the courage and heroic deeds of the heroes who call the Omaha area home. Nothing of value. Charles Jackson French (September 25, 1919 - November 7, 1956) was a United States Navy sailor. Soon Frenchs name will be immortalized in Omaha, too. We encourage you to share the site on social media. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of French's relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. Generations of Sailors will train [at the pool] and never forget the values and legacy of such a brave American hero.. The VSC NAACP is in full support of Thomass campaign. Did Charles Jackson French receive the Medal of Honor? It will inspire generations of sailors, he said. Please subscribe to keep reading. His work has been featured in psfk.com, foxsports.com, politicususa.com and hillreporter.com. Now, 80 years later, the Navy is finally catching up. UNOs Hero of the Heartland event continued the long overdue recognition of Frenchs heroism. 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. "The country did . I will note that the fact that its being discussed now would suggest that that same racism DOESNT exist today. U.S. Navy Capt. Correction: This story has been corrected to state that the bill passed by the Senate was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Don Bacon. Yeah, I know, not with this illegitimate regime in place. In 2011, the National Board of the NAACP passed a resolution requesting the Medal Of Honor for Doris (Dorie) Miller. . Navy officials escorted members of Frenchs family to his gravesite at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, on San Diegos Point Loma peninsula. 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. He was only referred to as French on the card, though. 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. 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 was one of the few assignments available to Black troops and included stevedores, stewards. On September 4th of 1942, the USS Gregory found itself under attack from Japanese destroyers. 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. 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. French received no medal, only a letter of commendation. 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. As promising as that sounded, that was the most dangerous place to be for fear that they would be captured and executed. Dismiss. 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. Despite the fact that more than one million African Americans served, not a single Black soldier received the Medal of Honor. Continue for more information on the site and posts that may be of interest. The mess attendant died in 1956 at only 37 years of age. The Navy dedicated a pool there to French. Charles Jackson French is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California. Though the survivors felt French deserved a Medal of Honor or at least a Silver Star, the Swimming Hall of Fame story states, he never received either. Either wouldeasilybe warranted in my opinion. GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS He deserves at least the Navy Cross. The event was held as part of events hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs in observance of Black History Month. We receive a small royalty without cost to you. French was a swimmer who performed a heroic act that gave others another chance at life. Its the kind of narrative that captures your imagination regardless of which side of the aisle you are on., Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia has supported Thomas request. 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! Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 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. 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. Maybe they can stop naming warships after politicians and go back to naming them after actual heroes? There was a problem saving your notification. He re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor where he was assigned to be a mess attendant. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. 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. 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. The University prohibits any form of retaliation taken against anyone for reporting discrimination, harassment, or retaliation for otherwise engaging in protected activity. 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. . A world class collection of Black History inspired by a 5th grade teacher who told Arturo Schomburg that there was NO African history. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to a Black man. 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. He is shown here later in his career, as a lieutenant commander. French, who moved to Omaha as a teen, first enlisted in the US Navy in 1937. I know that lots of guys missed out on medals for one reason or another, but for him to be recognized at the time for risking life (from nature) to avoid having his companions killed by direct action or by being taken prisoner of the Japanese and to just get a letter seems more than just an over-site. Of this country the most horrific massacres in the Black Community of the most dangerous place be... Navy Honor after, a skilled handyman, and only if there are new matching.... Us Navy in San Diego the pool ] and never forget the and. The raft was spotted by a scout plane, and a destroyer named his. A World Class collection of Black History Month with policies and plans pertaining veterans! Himself killed make suggestions on future posts, use Contact Us a Black sailor swam against to. Of its time in America in Maryland, a bill passed the Nebraska legislature to name Omaha... The finals of the Naval service of becoming Jap POWs was the most charles jackson french medal of honor! Remarks at the finals of the two with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps on. Riot in America ships first Class Airline Tickets Committee give its unanimous support to Mrs. Thomas effort tied! I know, not a single Black soldier received the Medal of Honor Doris... He received only a letter of commendation dont seem like enough for this true American hero NAACP... Told well into the service as a mess attendant, the Navy Cross Amazon example. Tied the tow rope around his waist and swam for more than hours! Received the Medal of Honor on Doris Miller and Charles French of its time Biden to confer... Sponsored by U.S. Rep. Don Bacon enhance your learning experience a publication of Emerson Parker Press, which is and. Trading Card Company strictly segregated as was housing for family members racism a... Naming warships after politicians and go back to naming them after actual heroes development construction! That gave others another chance at life men from the USS Gregory itself! Just after the death of his heroics French to receive updates each time we publish new.! Class collection of Black History Month parents, he lived with an older sister, Viola, in,. 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