The rescued men angrily reacted to this decision, threatening a fight if it wasnt reversed. Charles Jackson French (September 25, 1919 - November 7, 1956) was a United States Navy sailor. Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French was an American hero who gave his life in service of his country. 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. We also did a mini-series on the Schomburg Center for Research a most amazing collection of Black history and culture. Dismiss. The ship sailed on the Pacific Ocean heading towards Guadalcanal. To see this mini-series, click here. 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. 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. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of Frenchs relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. www.epmcknight.wixsite.epfitspiration Follow me: Tiktok, imdb.me/epmcknight. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Chester French, nephew of Charles Jackson French, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. 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. 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. Brown noted that, with Frenchs name and photo attached to the Navy pool, his story will be told well into the future. 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. 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 country did . I was elated, said Chester French Jr. of Omaha, Charles nephew, who attended along with several other French family members. More at the source. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. A BILL TO NAME A U.S. POST OFCEFI JUST PAST THE U.S. SENATE. Eric Ewing, executive director of the Great Plains Black History Museum, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. Its a story of the best of who we are.. His own father served in the war, too. After the death of his parents, he lived with his older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. A letter of commendation? 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. 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. French, a strong swimmer since youth, volunteered to swim the boat away from the Japanese island. That inquiry helped bring about last weeks award ceremony. This meant that if there were family members they had to live in ghettos like the general public. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. 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 . 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. This petition starter stood up and took action. He was a true patriot whose dedication and dedication to country served as a model for future generations. Rep. Don Bacon Honors Navy Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French, Immortal Valor: The Black Medal of Honor Winners of World War II. 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. He was a talented carpenter, a skilled handyman, and a master of DIY projects. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, he noted that part of his job is to make sure that our veterans receive the recognition they deserve for their courage and dedication to our country. Aerodynamics, computational science, and engineering design are research areas of interest to me. You gotta be kidding me. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of French's relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. He told the story frequently to family and tried for the rest of his life to get Charles Jackson French, the mess attendant, who was from Omaha, the valor award he was denied during the war. Join now . These sailors and soldiers were welcomed back to American soil with signs that pointed one way for Whites and the other way for Blacks. Adrian retired from the Navy in 1966 and died in 2011, without succeeding. In the end, there were fifteen additional sailors on the raft with the mess attendant. You must know this HERO Charles Jackson French, Charles Jackson French survived the destruction of the USS Gregory and then swam for hours dragging a life raft full of his shipmates through Shark infested waters. All DragonDen media is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. The server is misbehaving. He enjoys sports, politics, comic books, and anything that has to do with history. The event was held as part of events hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs in observance of Black History Month. Former Virginia State Conference (Virginia NAACP) President Linda Thomas put forth a resolution for two Black Veterans who should be awarded the Medal of Honor for their committed acts of extreme valor and heroism but were denied consideration solely because of their race. French was the first black swimmer to earn the Navy Medal for his heroism in 1943. UNOs Hero of the Heartland event continued the long overdue recognition of Frenchs heroism. The Hero of the Heartland event will honor additional local heroes in the coming years. French was born in Arkansas in 1919, but moved to Omaha as a youth to live with his married older sister, Viola. Inaction has been a great injustice to the goodly Sergeants bravery and sacrifice, for him and his Troops. 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. Yet, history has overlooked him. Category: Historical, Navy, Valor, War Stories, We Remember. In his interview with Wright, French described the intense racism he encountered, even after he helped save his shipmates. If you have a story idea, news tip, or other question, please email the UNO News team at unonews@unomaha.edu. Ensign Adrian fought for French to receive the Medal of Honor for his heroic rescue. This blog was created to share a passion for all things Southern. Teachers are pumped. 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. A world class collection of Black History inspired by a 5th grade teacher who told Arturo Schomburg that there was NO African history. But after his parents died, he moved to. 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. 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. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. Your email address will not be published. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to . During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. 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. Please subscribe to keep reading. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. Aside: f*ck sharks. After his military service, French developed alcoholism and depression. Charles Jackson French, an African American orphan, and championship-caliber swimmer navigated shark infested waters for about eight hours during. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to a Black man. French was a swimmer who performed a. It's a reminder of, Cold will chill the unveiling of Seaman 1st Class Arthur Francis Johnson's name on World War II plaque. We encourage you to share the site on social media. He was responsible for the development and construction of hundreds of public works projects during his career. 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. He was a generous and kind soul who was always willing to lend a helping hand. On November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California, Charles Jackson French, 37 at the time, died. 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. French was hailed as the hero of the Solomons and the Human Tugboat for his daring rescue of the Pacific during World War II. It is the service's highest award for noncombat heroism . Future Hero of the Heartland events may be held during other heritage months to celebrate heroes among a broad array of diverse ethnic groups. Who is Ruth McBride Jordan? Despite the fact that more than one million African Americans served, not a single Black soldier received the Medal of Honor. I [just] froze and tried to surface and float, [get] my feet outta the water.. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Now many feel that a letter of commendation for a heroic eight hour swim through sharks and enemy shell fire is not enough. [2] Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Kudos to the man that stepped up and saved himself and others from the awful fate of becoming Jap POWs. He deserves a higher award, and a destroyer named in his honor. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends. He was only referred to as French on the card, though. The mess attendant died in 1956 at only 37 years of age. French, who was manning the anti-aircraft guns, was killed in the ensuing explosion, making him one of the first casualties of the battle. 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. Well, that was the racism of the times, one has to admit. French, who moved to Omaha as a teen, first enlisted in the US Navy in 1937. We receive a small royalty without cost to you. 1603) On June 20, 2022, President Biden signed it into law. 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. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.. His story was retold in comic strips and trading cards, and he traveled the country to help sell war bonds before enthusiastic crowds. Military.com reports; A movement is gaining steam to recognize a heroic Black sailor from World War II, who towed a raftload of wounded shipmates through shark-infested waters after their ship was sunk in 1942. In time it was learned that Charles Jackson French stood 5'8" tall and weighed 195 pounds. He served two stints in the Navy. For Black History Month 2022 we focused on Health and Wellness in the Black Community. A 1943 "True Comics" account of the valor of Charles Jackson French after his ship was sunk at Guadalcanal. He was celebrated in the Black press and was even the subject of a syndicated comic strip. . 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. www.epmcknight.wixsite.epfitspiration Follow me: Tiktok, imdb.me/epmcknight. Another of Frenchs nephews, 89-year-old Roscoe Harris of Omaha, also attended, along with two of his own sons and three of his grandsons. UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, speaks to the bravery and courage of Charles Jackson French at the Hero of the Heartland event. Chester French, nephew of Charles Jackson French, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. The first was an enlistment was in 1937 when he served four years before receiving an honorable discharge in 1941. The information that we present to everyone is extremely important, and a small donation can help us keep it that way. Read the full statement. This request was also forwarded to the National NAACP office asking for a resolution to be adopted. 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. Did Charles Jackson French receive the Medal of Honor? Research is spotty, Nebraska high school boys basketball state tournament schedule, Medal sought for Black WWII sailor from Omaha lauded as hero, then forgotten, Back in the day, Oct. 30, 1942: Omaha's 'Hero of the Solomon Islands' returns home to honors, Plan to rename Benson post office after Black World War II hero clears House, Offutt lab seeks to identify soldiers who fought and died in segregated unit in WWII, Black WWII Army hero with ties to Boys Town featured in new graphic novel, Air Force Global Strike chief tabbed to be next StratCom leader, Editorial: Nebraskans have a track record of coming together for the common good, Omaha sailor killed in WWII will be added to Memorial Park monument during Vets Day event, Virginia woman seeks Medal of Honor for Black Navy WWII heroes, including Omaha's French, UNO honors Black WWII sailor as 'Hero of the Heartland', Metro CC may take over Marine Corps base at Fort Omaha campus, New biotech can 3D print living cells inside the human body, Ukraine will join NATO but in 'long- term', says NATO chief Stoltenberg, Finland begins building fence along Russia border. Ted Carlson, commander of Naval Base San Diego. Continue for more information on the site and posts that may be of interest. As promising as that sounded, that was the most dangerous place to be for fear that they would be captured and executed. 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. Soon after, a bill passed the Nebraska legislature to name an Omaha post office for him. French was a swimmer who performed a. This sounds horrendous and it was, but it is just one example of the horrors of war that greeted Black soldiers who had risked their lives for their country with the goal of making it an equitable society for all. That led to recognition during the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials held in Omaha in 2021. The Omaha World-Herald reported that Frenchs story was brought back to prominence through a social media post by the International Swimming Hall of Fame. In 2011, the National Board of the NAACP passed a resolution requesting the Medal Of Honor for Doris (Dorie) Miller. 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. Little is known of his earliest days. American sailors attempted to separate French from the men he had rescued, but they rebelled, and the American sailors relented. The link to these posts is here. After tying him off, French swam through shark infested waters for 6-8 hours until an American landing craft found them. Adrian also recommended him for a Navy Cross, the Navys second-highest award for valor, but he received only a letter of commendation. Thats a portrait of a hero. During the attack on the USS Gregory, a destroyer, he was aboard in 1943. 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 . He also had a passion for gardening and was an avid reader. 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. 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. On January 11, 1945, French was serving aboard the USS Bunker Hill, an aircraft carrier . . Inspiring Stories of Black History and Achievement. I like TOWs suggestion too. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. The story of the men who fought and served under trying circumstances. Or even going back to the 90s when a lot of this (blacks finally getting the awards they deserve) started to happen. We depend on your support and thank you for it! 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. After he began swimming, he soon encountered sharks. 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. Dismiss. Japanese destroyers sank the ship he was on, the USS Gregory, in the South Pacific in September 1942. 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. 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 had only been out of the Navy for a couple of months when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. 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. This activity includes urging President Biden to posthumously confer the Medals of Honor on Doris Miller and Charles French.. The Southern.Life is a publication of Emerson Parker Press, which is owned and operated by Jim Harris and his wife, Marian. 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. He was born in Foreman, Arkansas on September 25, 1919. Ted Carlson, commander of Naval Base San Diego, which makes this recognition of Charles (Jackson) Frenchs heroic actions even more significant.. 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. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. It seems a travesty that he never received a medal after such a courageous single-handed act of bravery saving 15 men. It would seem to me well past the point to review Frenchs case. 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. When Adrian told him that the swim would be arduous and the water was full of sharks, French responded that he was more afraid of the Japanese than he was of the sharks. USA Swimming honored him at the finals of the 2021 Swim Trials in June. 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. His innovative methods of construction and design, along with his exceptional organizational skills, made him a highly sought-after engineer across the United States. 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 ultimate insult! The omission remained on the record for more than four decades. The Color of Water: A Black Mans Tribute to His White Mother. These are the least desired jobs possible and beneath the White troops. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). 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 attended tied a rope around his waist and the boat and began the journey. Both Miller and French have been highly decorated for their service, but Thomas wants to see them awarded the top honor. Charles Jackson French, an African American orphan and champion-caliber swimmer, navigated shark-infested waters for about eight hours during World War II on a frigid September 1942 night to pull to safety a raft of 15 sailors. French swam against the current for between six and eight hours. A pool used to train rescue swimmers at Naval Base San Diego also was named in Frenchs honor at the ceremony. 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. The bravery that he demonstrated serves as a reminder of the sacrifices that can be made at any age. The night that propelled Charles Jackson French into the role of hero was September 5, 1942, when enemy bombs sank the U.S.S. (H.R. He exemplified our core values and faced adversity with unwavering grit and selflessness. Yeah, I know, not with this illegitimate regime in place. The waters were shark-infested. On January 11, 1945, French was serving aboard the USS Bunker Hill, an aircraft carrier that was involved in the Battle of Okinawa. Im proud we could come together to recognize his legacy of service and sacrifice.. French made public appearances after the rescue, including attending a Creighton University football game with his sister in 1942. 6001 Dodge Street, He swam six to eight hours in shark-infested waters before being rescued by marines on a navy landing craft. He was recognized locally in September 2022 with the renaming of a Benson post office in his honor. Story\Experience 43 comments 100% Upvoted This thread is archived New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast Sort by: best But French said he wasnt afraid. Charles Jackson French and his sister, Viola, were honored at a Creighton football game in Omaha on Oct. 31, 1942. 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, https://chng.it/F8y8w5n2 via @Change His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. When the sailors were rescued, the Master at Arms attempted to separate French from the men he had just saved. Gregory near the Solomon Islands. French would go on to earn the name "The Human Tugboat" and garner immense respect from his fellow military peers. During the battle, the Bunker Hill was struck by two kamikaze planes which caused the ship to suffer a massive explosion. We're doing our best to get things working smoothly! It is not necessary to purchase the item in the link. Navy officials escorted members of Frenchs family to his gravesite at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, on San Diegos Point Loma peninsula. 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. While the ship attempted to fight back, the enemy fire was too much. Ensign Robert Adrian realized that the currents were pulling the lifeboat back towards a Japanese-held island. 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. 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! Required fields are marked *. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. towing a boat of wounded survivors by himself i.imgur.com/P1mQDe. French was also the only African American to appear on World War II patriotic trading cards issued by GUM, Inc. Bonus- The Story of Charles Jackson French. You are now armed with knowledge, but for a deeper dive, continue to scroll down and watch amazing videos of French and books to allow for greater understanding. A self-declared light-skinned woman evasive about her ethnicity, yet steadfast in her love for her 12 Black children. Thats when French a 22-year-old sailor in the racially segregated messman branch volunteered to tow them to safety, the article states. 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. If the Navy and Marine Corps Medal is appropriate for Frenchs action, and by any objective measure it would be, then he ought to get the Navy Cross of MOH. Soon Frenchs name will be immortalized in Omaha, too. The International Swimming Hall of Fame had this painting created of French, one of the most famous Black heroes of World War II. The VSC NAACP is in full support of Thomass campaign. He is shown here later in his career, as a lieutenant commander. The mess attendant rescued his fellow crew members in 1942, after their ship was sunk in the Solomon Islands. Reminder of the sacrifices that can be made at any age at Arms attempted to fight,! The story to the National Board of the Heartland events may be of interest me! Two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft inquiry helped bring about last weeks ceremony! The link award for noncombat heroism sailors and soldiers were welcomed back to prominence a! 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