The living quarters were strictly segregated as was housing for family members. The mess attended tied a rope around his waist and the boat and began the journey. During World War II, he served as a U.S. sailor. The ultimate insult! 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. French successfully brought the men to safety on the shores of the Solomon Islands. 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. This is his jaw-dropping story. Bloomsbury presents Immortal Valor by Robert Child, read by Vaughn Johseph. The Southern.Life is a publication of Emerson Parker Press, which is owned and operated by Jim Harris and his wife, Marian. 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. After the death of his parents, he lived with an older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. Willie Johnson, the youngest person to receive the Medal of Honor, is also the youngest person to receive the medal. The bravery that he demonstrated serves as a reminder of the sacrifices that can be made at any age. The story of Charles Jackson French's World War II valor was told and retold, especially in Black newspapers. 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. 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. Charles Jackson French saved the lives 15 Sailorsall of them whiteby pulling them on a raft behind him as he swam for hours through shark-infested waters. Soon after, a bill passed the Nebraska legislature to name an Omaha post office for him. I nearly peed on myself when one of them sharks [touched] my feet. 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. Ive always felt glad to be a proud American, Harris said. www.epmcknight.wixsite.epfitspiration Follow me: Tiktok, imdb.me/epmcknight. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. That inquiry helped bring about last weeks award ceremony. Required fields are marked *. French stayed in the military until the end of the war, then took a civilian job with the Navy in San Diego. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 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. This is the story of Charles Jackson French, who rescued several soldiers during the Battle of Guadalcanal. French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates through shark-infested waters to safety near Guadalcanal. Charles Jackson (MEng, DIS, MINCOSE) Expand search. A pool used to train rescue swimmers at Naval Base San Diego also was named in Frenchs honor at the ceremony. German prisoners of war were allowed to ride with White soldiers while the Black fighters were relegated to open, drafty, smelly cattle cars. In time it was learned that Charles Jackson French stood 5'8" tall and weighed 195 pounds. The ships first class is the Petty Officer 1st Class. 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. 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. The story of Charles Jackson French is little known and marred by the inevitable racism that permeates our history in America. It is the service's highest award for noncombat heroism . (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Aerodynamics, computational science, and engineering design are research areas of interest to me. Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French was an American hero who gave his life in service of his country. We remember Charles Jackson French, winner of the Navy medal, who swam through the Pacific after his vessel sunk in WWII. The actions of the French will never be forgotten, as will their ultimate sacrifice. 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. www.epmcknight.wixsite.epfitspiration Follow me: Tiktok, imdb.me/epmcknight. I was happy to see that, as an American Black man, (French) got recognized.. 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. urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of Honor . While the ship attempted to fight back, the enemy fire was too much. Read the full statement. 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 bombs sank the. After the death of his parents, he lived with his older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. To comment or make suggestions on future posts, use Contact Us. During his service, he received a letter of commendation from the commander of the Southern Pacific Fleet, Adm. William F. Halsey, Jr. Charles Jackson French, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 77 on June 17th, 2020. French swam against the current for between six and eight hours. The mess attendant died in 1956 at only 37 years of age. French was a swimmer who performed a. Dismiss. 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. The ensign told French the plan was crazy, that they were surrounded by sharks and he would only get himself killed. It read: For meritorious conduct in action while serving on board of a destroyer transport which was badly damaged during the engagement with Japanese forces in the British Solomon Islands on September 5, 1942. He enjoys sports, politics, comic books, and anything that has to do with history. He was 37 years old when he died on November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California. He died in 1956, at age 37, of depression and alcoholism from untreated post-traumatic stress, family members say. American sailors attempted to separate French from the men he had rescued, but they rebelled, and the American sailors relented. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. 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 was an American war hero from Foreman, Arkansas. Charles Jackson French is what makes America great. A man discriminated against by the country that he loved, was willing to put his life on the line for. 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. Brown noted that, with Frenchs name and photo attached to the Navy pool, his story will be told well into the future. 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. This meant that if there were family members they had to live in ghettos like the general public. Ensign Adrian fought for French to receive the Medal of Honor for his heroic rescue. Kudos to the man that stepped up and saved himself and others from the awful fate of becoming Jap POWs. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. Lets get this HERO the Medal of Honor, Forgotten: The Untold Story of D-days Black Heroes, at Home and at War. 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. French was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal in recognition of his bravery and combat action. We also posted a 5 part mini-series on the 100th anniversary of one of the most horrific massacres in the history of America. His wife, Linda, called the event just awesome., It makes you want to cry, she said. 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. 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. Her husband, Floyd, has served on the Caroline Board of Supervisors for. A man who served and re-enlisted again when we entered World War II. During this time, the military followed the segregation laws that were prevalent in the nation. That led to recognition during the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials held in Omaha in 2021. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. 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. French made public appearances after the rescue, including attending a Creighton University football game with his sister in 1942. A Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates. Charles Jackson French's draft registration card. 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! During the attack on the USS Gregory, a destroyer, he was aboard in 1943. 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. 6001 Dodge Street, 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. Use our links to Amazon anytime you shop Amazon. 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. Gregory near the Solomon Islands. This whole story violates the laws of physics. 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. 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. This denied qualified service members training that could be used after the military. 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. He was a true patriot whose dedication and dedication to country served as a model for future generations. Hundreds of Blacks were slaughtered and 10,000 left homeless in this largely unknown event. sliewer@owh.com; twitter.com/Steve Liewer. He was only referred to as French on the card, though. BZ PO1 French! Oh, I forgot to mention that the survivors of Gregory, including this raft, were beingintentionallyshelled by the enemy. In San Diego in 2022, French's family was presented with his posthumous Navy and Marine Corps medal. We receive a small royalty without cost to you. 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. After he began swimming, he soon encountered sharks. French had only been out of the Navy for a couple of months when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. 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. French, who was manning the anti-aircraft guns, was killed in the ensuing explosion, making him one of the first casualties of the battle. Chester French, nephew of Charles Jackson French, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Don Bacon,cleared the House of Representatives in March. He quickly went to work pulling other sailors aboard with him. 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. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Proclamations naming the Benson post office in his uncle's honor are featured on easels in front of the stage. During World War I he served under the name Charles F. Hoffman. 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. 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. The omission remained on the record for more than four decades. French was honored at the U.S. Olympic swim trials in 2021. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. Frenchs story was soon told by the War Gum Trading Card Company. I [just] froze and tried to surface and float, [get] my feet outta the water.. They were spotted and rescued by friendly forces when racism reared its ugly head. This post office renaming is important to his family, the community of Omaha, and the state of Nebraska. As a result, he is an inspiring example of the bravery and commitment of our youth. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. Miller wasnt the only African-American hero of World War II, though. Charles Jackson French was an incredible pioneer in the field of civil engineering. 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. Dismiss. French was a swimmer who performed a. towing a boat of wounded survivors by himself i.imgur.com/P1mQDe. 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. Willie was only 11 years old when he received the Medal of Honor during the Civil War, and he was awarded it shortly after his 13th birthday. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. 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. Name a warship after this Hero. 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. Virginia NAACP President Robert Barnette was pleased to have his Executive Committee give its unanimous support to Mrs. Thomas effort. 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. 2022 State Convention | NAACP: The Urgency of Now, 2023 Virginia NAACP Legislative Priorities, Copyright 2023 The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. 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. Who is Ruth McBride Jordan? It is not necessary to purchase the item in the link. 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. Japanese destroyers sank the ship he was on, the USS Gregory, in the South Pacific in September 1942. 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. In 2022, the Navy announced that they would name a pool at their San Diego base in Frenchs honor. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. Although he demonstrated extreme bravery, instead of the Medal of Honor, all French received was a nice letter from the U. S. Navy. You can read more about the Virginia NAACPs work and our six Game Changer issue areas by visiting NAACPVA.org. Future Hero of the Heartland events may be held during other heritage months to celebrate heroes among a broad array of diverse ethnic groups. {{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? 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. 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. French was the first black swimmer to earn the Navy Medal for his heroism in 1943. Notably, the letter reduced the hours French spent swimming from six-eight to two. It only took 3 minutes for the ship to sink. To see the posts, click here. Your email address will not be published. . Yet, history has overlooked him. Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. 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. 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. Both Miller and French have been highly decorated for their service, but Thomas wants to see them awarded the top honor. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. A little more than a week after Thomas first called the Senators office, Kaine wrote letters to President Joe Biden concerning Miller and French. Dorie Miller is the most well-known African American hero of World War II. He is shown here later in his career, as a lieutenant commander. 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. On January 11, 1945, French was serving aboard the USS Bunker Hill, an aircraft carrier that was involved in the Battle of Okinawa. Please subscribe to keep reading. In May 2022, the Navy finally presented French'srelatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal in recognition of his heroics. The above summary gives a view of Charles Jackson French, a man who deserves a place in history, but like many Blacks have been excluded. French saved. French would go on to earn the name "The Human Tugboat" and garner immense respect from his fellow military peers. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to . Benjamin Selph echoed Lis remarks, encouraging those in attendance to take inspiration from Frenchs courageous act. French finished a four-year Navy tour in November 1941 and was visiting family in Omaha when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. A BILL TO NAME A U.S. POST OFCEFI JUST PAST THE U.S. SENATE. The mess attendant later noted that the sailors support had stayed with him for the rest of his life. The University prohibits any form of retaliation taken against anyone for reporting discrimination, harassment, or retaliation for otherwise engaging in protected activity. Charles Jackson French, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 77 on June 17th, 2020. His story was retold in comic strips and trading cards, and he traveled the country to help sell war bonds before enthusiastic crowds. When the sailors were rescued, the Master at Arms attempted to separate French from the men he had just saved. 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). No medal. The event was held as part of events hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs in observance of Black History Month. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends. 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. During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. 1 of 5. Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French swam through shark-infested waters for hours while towing a raft loaded with 15 of his wounded USS Gregory shipmates. He exemplified our core values and faced adversity with unwavering grit and selflessness. 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. To see these posts, click this link, For Womens History Month 2022 we featured 31 amazing Black women we should all know. French enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1937 and served four years. I think I would lean toward Medal of Honor just based on what I read here, but Im sure the details would sway me one way or the other. 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. Phone: 402-444-1186. The wording of the letter follows. 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. Adrian also recommended him for a Navy Cross, the Navys second-highest award for valor, but he received only a letter of commendation. Omaha hailed hometown hero Charles Jackson French back in 1942, when the African American mess steward saved the lives of his shipmates after their destroyer was sunk in the World War II battle of the Solomon Islands. Well, that was the racism of the times, one has to admit. 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. The ship sailed on the Pacific Ocean heading towards Guadalcanal. French was a swimmer who performed a heroic act that gave others another chance at life. Continue for more information on the site and posts that may be of interest. During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. 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. 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. He was particularly noted for his work on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Maryland, a major engineering feat of its time. 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. 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. The story of Frenchs bravery was celebrated at the time but then largely forgotten for decades. We also did a mini-series on the Schomburg Center for Research a most amazing collection of Black history and culture. . Navy officials escorted members of Frenchs family to his gravesite at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, on San Diegos Point Loma peninsula. Benjamin Selph shares recognition for Charles Jackson French on behalf of the Navy. 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