Apparently part of the reason that he did not receive an award was that the Navy was reluctant to give him a medal equal or higher to what his ships commander received, and he was killed in the action. He disrobed and with assistance tied the tow rope around his waist and swam what is estimated to be six to eight hours. Continue for more information on the site and posts that may be of interest. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. Benjamin Selph echoed Lis remarks, encouraging those in attendance to take inspiration from Frenchs courageous act. 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. It only took 3 minutes for the ship to sink. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to . Additionally, it has continued to pursue advocacy objectives that are in line with policies and plans pertaining to veterans of African heritage. According to VSC President Robert Barnette, black veterans have made important contributions over the years to the military might of this country. It is the service's highest award for noncombat heroism . Ensign Robert Adrian realized that the currents were pulling the lifeboat back towards a Japanese-held island. Did Charles Jackson French receive the Medal of Honor? I will note that the fact that its being discussed now would suggest that that same racism DOESNT exist today. A world class collection of Black History inspired by a 5th grade teacher who told Arturo Schomburg that there was NO African history. 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. We depend on your support and thank you for it! 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. 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. 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. For Black History Month 2021, we focused on Black Medical Achievements, Inventors and Scientists.To see those posts, click here. Schomburg dedicated his life to proving that teacher wrong and Schomburg did an amazing job with his collection. The story of Charles Jackson French's World War II valor was told and retold, especially in Black newspapers. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men was adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. French served aboard the USS Houston for four years before returning to Omaha. We encourage you to share the site on social media. Charles Jackson French died in 1956 and is buried in Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California. For generations, those of us native to the South have taken great pride in our heritage, our traditions, and in the telling of our stories. All DragonDen media is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. The International Swimming Hall of Fame had this painting created of French, one of the most famous Black heroes of World War II. Its a story of the best of who we are.. Dismiss. He was responsible for the development and construction of hundreds of public works projects during his career. 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. A Change.org petition also was started Monday, urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of Honor. You have permission to edit this article. Thats a portrait of a hero. We also posted a 5 part mini-series on the 100th anniversary of one of the most horrific massacres in the history of America. French was also the only African American to appear on World War II patriotic trading cards issued by GUM, Inc. The story of the men who fought and served under trying circumstances. This to the scientific notationed! Inaction has been a great injustice to the goodly Sergeants bravery and sacrifice, for him and his Troops. Yet, history has overlooked him. 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'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 . But after his parents died, he moved to. French, who was manning the anti-aircraft guns, was killed in the ensuing explosion, making him one of the first casualties of the battle. Jobs People Learning Dismiss Dismiss. He was born in Foreman, Arkansas on September 25, 1919. Teachers are pumped. Kind of sounds like it. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. Well, that was the racism of the times, one has to admit. 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. You gotta be kidding me. His heroism was recognized in popular culture, though. 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. 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. Omahans during World War II knew a strong-swimming, shark-defying, human tugboat of a hero when they saw one, regardless of the color ofCha, An African American sailor from Omaha was hailed as a hero during World War II for swimming through shark-infested waters to rescue his wounde, The full House approved HR 4168 to rename the facility at 6223 Maple St. the Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French Post Office., The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency said identifications of the 92nd Infantry members, known as "Buffalo Soldiers," have beendifficult beca, Lt. Vernon Baker of Clarinda, Iowa, is part of a series of graphic novels about recipients of the Medal of Honor, the nations highest award f, A 36-year Air Force missile and space officer has been nominated as the next commander of Offutt-based U.S. Strategic Command, the Pentagon an, Eighty years ago, Nebraska set the pace for the nation in launching a scrap metal drive to support the World War II effort. During World War II, he served as a U.S. sailor. 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 also featured in a 1943 comic book and was honored at halftime during a Creighton University football game. Soon after, a bill passed the Nebraska legislature to name an Omaha post office for him. French was an African American serving at a time when prejudice and discrimination were ever-present in our Armed Forces and society, said Capt. Continue to scroll for fascinating Videos and Books to enhance your learning experience. A pool used to train rescue swimmers at Naval Base San Diego also was named in Frenchs honor at the ceremony. To comment or make suggestions on future posts, use Contact Us. Maybe they can stop naming warships after politicians and go back to naming them after actual heroes? 80 years later, Omaha hero who swam in shark-infested waters receives Navy honor. Use our links to Amazon anytime you shop Amazon. Organizations such as the National Coalition of Black Veteran Organizations have also shown their support. During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. The University prohibits any form of retaliation taken against anyone for reporting discrimination, harassment, or retaliation for otherwise engaging in protected activity. 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. We receive a small royalty without cost to you. The omission remained on the record for more than four decades. Required fields are marked *. 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. 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. 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! Brown noted that, with Frenchs name and photo attached to the Navy pool, his story will be told well into the future. Aside: f*ck sharks. You can cancel at any time. 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. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Don Bacon,cleared the House of Representatives in March. Yet, history has overlooked him. He quickly went to work pulling other sailors aboard with him. 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. They were spotted and rescued by friendly forces when racism reared its ugly head. It seems a travesty that he never received a medal after such a courageous single-handed act of bravery saving 15 men. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. French would go on to earn the name "The Human Tugboat" and garner immense respect from his fellow military peers. Charles French was born on September 25, 1919, in Foreman, Arkansas. BZ PO1 French! In March of 1942, French was assigned to the USS Gregory (APD-3). 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. 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. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. 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. 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. In 1945, when Congress began reviewing the record of the most conspicuous acts of courage by American soldiers during World War II, they recommended awarding the Medal of Honor to 432 recipients. Rep. Don Bacon Honors Navy Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French, Immortal Valor: The Black Medal of Honor Winners of World War II. Keith Station, deputy chief of staff for diversity, equity, & inclusion for the City of Omaha, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. The story of Frenchs bravery was celebrated at the time but then largely forgotten for decades. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. While the ship attempted to fight back, the enemy fire was too much. Ensign Adrian fought for French to receive the Medal of Honor for his heroic rescue. The mess attendant died in 1956 at only 37 years of age. Born in a small town in California, Charles was a man of many talents. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of Frenchs relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. There was no escape from racism despite putting your life on the line for your country. Charles Jackson (MEng, DIS, MINCOSE) Expand search. When he is not sitting in front of a laptop, Todd enjoys soaking up everything the Jersey Shore has to offer with his wife, two sons and American Foxhound, Wally. 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. Thomas is also requesting support from the citizens as well as other groups and veterans organizations to ensure that Mr. Miller and Mr. French are properly recognized for their contributions to this country by making phone calls or sending letters to members of congress and the senate. Darn guys a stud. U.S. Navy Capt. After the death of his parents, he lived with his older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. Adrian retired from the Navy in 1966 and died in 2011, without succeeding. 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. GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS Inspiring Stories of Black History and Achievement. www.epmcknight.wixsite.epfitspiration Follow me: Tiktok, imdb.me/epmcknight. I say MOH. 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. Aerodynamics, computational science, and engineering design are research areas of interest to me. In May 2022, the Navy finally presented French'srelatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal in recognition of his heroics. It is time to honor those who deserve honor! He enlisted in the Navy in 1937 and became a mess attendant, one of the few military jobs open to African Americans in the segregated U.S. armed forces of that era. I guess Pedo Joe has already forgotten about Alwyn Cashe. French, who moved to Omaha as a teen, first enlisted in the US Navy in 1937. Born in a small town in California, Charles was a man of many talents. Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. In 2022, the Navy announced that they would name a pool at their San Diego base in Frenchs honor. When bombs sank the. Charles Jackson French: Hero Without a Medal. Bloomsbury presents Immortal Valor by Robert Child, read by Vaughn Johseph. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. The information that we present to everyone is extremely important, and a small donation can help us keep it that way. This denied qualified service members training that could be used after the military. He enjoys sports, politics, comic books, and anything that has to do with history. Correction: This story has been corrected to state that the bill passed by the Senate was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Don Bacon. Of the many acts of bravery among the men of Gregory during its final battle (including the mortally wounded skipper ordering his crew to abandon him and help other wounded, never to be seen again) was Charles French. He was a generous and kind soul who was always willing to lend a helping hand. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates. 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. He remembers meeting his uncle during World War II just after the famous rescue and being inspired to learn to swim. The server is misbehaving. French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates through shark-infested waters to safety near Guadalcanal. Gregory near the Solomon Islands. Thats when French a 22-year-old sailor in the racially segregated messman branch volunteered to tow them to safety, the article states. 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. French received no medal, only a letter of commendation. The mess attended tied a rope around his waist and the boat and began the journey. 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. Frenchs story was soon told by the War Gum Trading Card Company. Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French was an American hero who gave his life in service of his country. This story or history was written to correct one of the many wrongs in the recording of American History. In San Diego in 2022, French's family was presented with his posthumous Navy and Marine Corps medal. The story of Charles Jackson French is little known and marred by the inevitable racism that permeates our history in America. 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. When the sailors were rescued, the Master at Arms attempted to separate French from the men he had just saved. 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. It is a fact that the victors in battle or those in power in peace write the history of past events to support their views of what should have happened versus the cold hard facts. His story was retold in comic strips and trading cards, and he traveled the country to help sell war bonds before enthusiastic crowds. 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. Japanese destroyers sank the ship he was on, the USS Gregory, in the South Pacific in September 1942. Will you do the same? French was hailed as the hero of the Solomons and the Human Tugboat for his daring rescue of the Pacific during World War II. His story was largely forgotten until Bruce Wigo, a former director of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, unearthed it several years ago. 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. . Now many feel that a letter of commendation for a heroic eight hour swim through sharks and enemy shell fire is not enough. He had first enlisted in the Navy in 1937 [1] and had completed his enlistment, moving to Omaha, Nebraska where he had family. Continue scrolling down for more amazing information, videos, books and value items. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.. French swam against the current for between six and eight hours. Both Miller and French have been highly decorated for their service, but Thomas wants to see them awarded the top honor. Charles Jackson French is what makes America great. On September 4th of 1942, the USS Gregory found itself under attack from Japanese destroyers. He deserves a higher award, and a destroyer named in his honor. Benjamin Selph shares recognition for Charles Jackson French on behalf of the Navy. 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. [2] Thomas has also been in communication with other senators and members of Congress asking them to support this effort. 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. 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. 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. He had been born on Sept. 25, 1919, in Foreman, Arkansas. French was a swimmer who performed a. Todd Neikirk is a New Jersey-based politics, entertainment and history writer. https://chng.it/F8y8w5n2 via @Change French made public appearances after the rescue, including attending a Creighton University football game with his sister in 1942. 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. Despite the fact that the Medal of Honor is extremely rare, it can be received twice. If the latter, the Navy and Marine Corps Medal might have been the most apropos award. The gunfire hit two of the ships boilers and the Gregory was set ablaze by the fire. It will inspire generations of sailors, he said. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. 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. 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. A man discriminated against by the country that he loved, was willing to put his life on the line for. {{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? You can use a link to tennis shoes to buy a refrigerator or anything else. Eric Ewing, executive director of the Great Plains Black History Museum, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it. Join now . Kudos to the man that stepped up and saved himself and others from the awful fate of becoming Jap POWs. 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The Hero of the Heartland event will honor additional local heroes in the coming years. The first was an enlistment was in 1937 when he served four years before receiving an honorable discharge in 1941. 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. During the melee, fifteen sailors were put abord a life raft but there was danger that they would drift towards land. Change.org Uh oh. 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. , Nebraska have made important contributions over the years to the USS Gregory found itself under attack from japanese sank... 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