Ensign Adrian fought for French to receive the Medal of Honor for his heroic rescue. After his military service, French developed alcoholism and depression. French became famous after his commander, Ensign Robert Adrian, told the story on a radio program broadcast across the country. The ultimate insult! Ensign Robert Adrian was fresh out of the Naval Academy and a junior officer on the Navy destroyer USS Gregory when it was sunk near Guadalcanal on Sept. 5, 1942. Yet, history has overlooked him. ** 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. We also did a mini-series on the Schomburg Center for Research a most amazing collection of Black history and culture. (H.R. USA Swimming honored him at the finals of the 2021 Swim Trials in June. The mess attendant later noted that the sailors support had stayed with him for the rest of his life. For Black History Month 2022 we focused on Health and Wellness in the Black Community. A self-declared light-skinned woman evasive about her ethnicity, yet steadfast in her love for her 12 Black children. 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. Story\Experience 43 comments 100% Upvoted This thread is archived New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast Sort by: best During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. 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. 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. The link to these posts is here. Days later, he went down to his local recruitment office and reenlisted. His own father served in the war, too. Charles Jackson French, an African American orphan, and championship-caliber swimmer navigated shark infested waters for about eight hours during. Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French was an American hero who gave his life in service of his country. 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. 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. Although he demonstrated extreme bravery, instead of the Medal of Honor, all French received was a nice letter from the U. S. Navy. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of Frenchs relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. 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. He also had a passion for gardening and was an avid reader. 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. 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 omission remained on the record for more than four decades. He was particularly noted for his work on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Maryland, a major engineering feat of its time. 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. To see the posts, click here. 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. In his interview with Wright, French described the intense racism he encountered, even after he helped save his shipmates. The first was an enlistment was in 1937 when he served four years before receiving an honorable discharge in 1941. This whole story violates the laws of physics. The New York Times best-selling story from the author of The Good Lord Bird, winner of the 2013 National Book Award for Fiction. 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. 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. 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. Change.org Uh oh. 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. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. 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. French, who moved to Omaha as a teen, first enlisted in the US Navy in 1937. A pool and a letter of commendation dont seem like enough for this true American hero. The award was presented on May 21, 2022, at Naval Base San Diego, at a ceremony in which the bases rescue swimmer training pool was dedicated in his honor. To see these posts, click this link, For Womens History Month 2022 we featured 31 amazing Black women we should all know. 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. It took so long.. 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 was a swimmer who performed a. That led to recognition during the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials held in Omaha in 2021. Thems the devils fish. During the melee, fifteen sailors were put abord a life raft but there was danger that they would drift towards land. His story was largely forgotten until Bruce Wigo, a former director of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, unearthed it several years ago. A Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates. This meant that if there were family members they had to live in ghettos like the general public. This activity includes urging President Biden to posthumously confer the Medals of Honor on Doris Miller and Charles French.. Racism preventing awarding a medal? This post office renaming is important to his family, the community of Omaha, and the state of Nebraska. Dismiss. During World War II Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French swam 68 hours in shark-infested waters near Guadalcanal while towing a life raft with 15 USS Gregory survivors of an attack by the Japanese Imperial Navy. In 2011, the National Board of the NAACP passed a resolution requesting the Medal Of Honor for Doris (Dorie) Miller. Schomburg dedicated his life to proving that teacher wrong and Schomburg did an amazing job with his collection. 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. 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. These are the least desired jobs possible and beneath the White troops. Charles Jackson French and his sister, Viola, were honored at a Creighton football game in Omaha on Oct. 31, 1942. The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. 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. 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. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. He disrobed and with assistance tied the tow rope around his waist and swam what is estimated to be six to eight hours. The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. 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. He was a generous and kind soul who was always willing to lend a helping hand. www.epmcknight.wixsite.epfitspiration Follow me: Tiktok, imdb.me/epmcknight. 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. As promising as that sounded, that was the most dangerous place to be for fear that they would be captured and executed. Japanese destroyers sank the ship he was on, the USS Gregory, in the South Pacific in September 1942. 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. Author and Navy veteran Malcolm Nance got the services attention Sunday when he tagged several official accounts in a Twitter post about French. 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. French, a strong swimmer since youth, volunteered to swim the boat away from the Japanese island. Ensign Robert Adrian realized that the currents were pulling the lifeboat back towards a Japanese-held island. 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. A 1943 "True Comics" account of the valor of Charles Jackson French after his ship was sunk at Guadalcanal. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. https://chng.it/F8y8w5n2 via @Change He certainly earned a much higher award than he was given. 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. Omaha, NE, 68182. 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. But after his parents died, he moved to. 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. Keith Station, deputy chief of staff for diversity, equity, & inclusion for the City of Omaha, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. 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. He died in 1956, at age 37, of depression and alcoholism from untreated post-traumatic stress, family members say. To see this mini-series, click here. French was hailed as the hero of the Solomons and the Human Tugboat for his daring rescue of the Pacific during World War II. 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. 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. Adrian retired from the Navy in 1966 and died in 2011, without succeeding. 2022 State Convention | NAACP: The Urgency of Now, 2023 Virginia NAACP Legislative Priorities, Copyright 2023 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. 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. 1603) On June 20, 2022, President Biden signed it into law. Perhaps it was that he wasnt considered to be in combat. 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. Gregory near the Solomon Islands. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Don Bacon,cleared the House of Representatives in March. Charles Jackson French, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 77 on June 17th, 2020. Charles Jackson (MEng, DIS, MINCOSE) Expand search. American sailors attempted to separate French from the men he had rescued, but they rebelled, and the American sailors relented. Thats when French a 22-year-old sailor in the racially segregated messman branch volunteered to tow them to safety, the article states. Your email address will not be published. Use our links to Amazon anytime you shop Amazon. 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. Perhaps racism played a role in French not receiving proper recognition. These sailors and soldiers were welcomed back to American soil with signs that pointed one way for Whites and the other way for Blacks. 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. 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 publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. A Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates. Enter your email address below to receive updates each time we publish new content. . The story of the men who fought and served under trying circumstances. 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. 6001 Dodge Street, After the death of his parents, he lived with an older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. Soon after, a bill passed the Nebraska legislature to name an Omaha post office for him. 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. During his service, he received a letter of commendation from the commander of the Southern Pacific Fleet, Adm. William F. Halsey, Jr. 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. 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. 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. 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. Category: Historical, Navy, Valor, War Stories, We Remember. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.. 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. Required fields are marked *. That inquiry helped bring about last weeks award ceremony. 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. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of French's relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. Charles Jackson French is what makes America great. Award of a Medal of Honor would require congressional intervention, but award of a Navy Cross or a Navy and Marine Corps Medal would not. I say MOH. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. 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. This was one of the few assignments available to Black troops and included stevedores, stewards. It seems a travesty that he never received a medal after such a courageous single-handed act of bravery saving 15 men. Since they were taking direct fire, Id feel the Navy Cross the more appropriate of the two. We depend on your support and thank you for it! UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, speaks to the bravery and courage of Charles Jackson French at the Hero of the Heartland event. French received a letter of commendation from Admiral Bull Halsey that said; For meritorious conduct in action while serving on board of a destroyer transport which was badly damaged during the engagement with Japanese forces in the British Solomon Islands on September 5, 1942. French enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1937 and served four years. Eric Ewing, executive director of the Great Plains Black History Museum, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. 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 letter of commendation? 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