On November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California, Charles Jackson French, 37 at the time, died. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. 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. Yet, history has overlooked him. Since they were taking direct fire, Id feel the Navy Cross the more appropriate of the two. After he began swimming, he soon encountered sharks. 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. 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 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. He received an honorable discharge on November 11, 1941, but re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor. 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. Charles Jackson French (September 25, 1919 - November 7, 1956) was a United States Navy sailor. This activity includes urging President Biden to posthumously confer the Medals of Honor on Doris Miller and Charles French.. 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. Miller wasnt the only African-American hero of World War II, though. French was a swimmer who performed a. Your email address will not be published. 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. 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 was an African American serving at a time when prejudice and discrimination were ever-present in our Armed Forces and society, said Capt. U.S. Navy Capt. Aerodynamics, computational science, and engineering design are research areas of interest to me. When bombs sank the. He was a generous and kind soul who was always willing to lend a helping hand. Charles Jackson (MEng, DIS, MINCOSE) Expand search. Change.org Uh oh. In the early hours of June 6, 1944, the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, a unit of African American soldiers, landed on the beaches of France. 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. 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. Charles Jackson French died in 1956 and is buried in Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California. The VSC NAACP is in full support of Thomass campaign. 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. A world class collection of Black History inspired by a 5th grade teacher who told Arturo Schomburg that there was NO African history. 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. 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. His own father served in the war, 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. Name a warship after this Hero. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to . 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 re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor where he was assigned to be a mess attendant. 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. I was elated, said Chester French Jr. of Omaha, Charles nephew, who attended along with several other French family members. 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. 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. There was a problem saving your notification. 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. Both Miller and French have been highly decorated for their service, but Thomas wants to see them awarded the top honor. Use our links to Amazon anytime you shop Amazon. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. You have permission to edit this article. 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. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. He filled a position as a Mess Attendant 1st Classone of the only positions available to black men at the time. The ship sailed on the Pacific Ocean heading towards Guadalcanal. The event was held as part of events hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs in observance of Black History Month. Soon Frenchs name will be immortalized in Omaha, too. 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. Charles French was born on September 25, 1919, in Foreman, Arkansas. 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. French successfully brought the men to safety on the shores of the Solomon Islands. 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. French was a swimmer who performed a heroic act that gave others another chance at life. 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. 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. A 1943 "True Comics" account of the valor of Charles Jackson French after his ship was sunk at Guadalcanal. 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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. It took so long.. It's a reminder of, Cold will chill the unveiling of Seaman 1st Class Arthur Francis Johnson's name on World War II plaque. You can cancel at any time. The New York Times best-selling story from the author of The Good Lord Bird, winner of the 2013 National Book Award for Fiction. French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates through shark-infested waters to safety near Guadalcanal. There was no escape from racism despite putting your life on the line for your country. Perhaps racism played a role in French not receiving proper recognition. It will inspire generations of sailors, he said. During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. 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. I guess Pedo Joe has already forgotten about Alwyn Cashe. His work has been featured in psfk.com, foxsports.com, politicususa.com and hillreporter.com. After the death of his parents, he lived with his older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. The story of Charles Jackson French is little known and marred by the inevitable racism that permeates our history in America. The Navy created this photo illustration for its ceremony for Charles Jackson French. The son of a Black minister and a woman who would not admit she was White, James McBride grew up in orchestrated chaos with his 11 siblings in the poor, all-Black projects of Red Hook, Brooklyn. Charles will be remembered fondly for his generous spirit, his kind and gentle nature, and the lasting impact he left on those he loved. "The country did . The bill, sponsored by Rep. Don Bacon,cleared the House of Representatives in March. The mess attendant died in 1956 at only 37 years of age. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. Future Hero of the Heartland events may be held during other heritage months to celebrate heroes among a broad array of diverse ethnic groups. French was also the only African American to appear on World War II patriotic trading cards issued by GUM, Inc. I say MOH. 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. 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. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.. 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. The gunfire hit two of the ships boilers and the Gregory was set ablaze by the fire. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. In March of 1942, French was assigned to the USS Gregory (APD-3). He was born in Foreman, Arkansas on September 25, 1919. As a result, he is an inspiring example of the bravery and commitment of our youth. It seems a travesty that he never received a medal after such a courageous single-handed act of bravery saving 15 men. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. 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. 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. 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. French would go on to earn the name "The Human Tugboat" and garner immense respect from his fellow military peers. A Change.org petition also was started Monday, urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of Honor. 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. 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. UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, speaks to the bravery and courage of Charles Jackson French at the Hero of the Heartland event. Still, a letter of commendation is completely inadequate for what French did and I dont buy that this cant be considered combat. 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. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. To comment or make suggestions on future posts, use Contact Us. French enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1937 and served four years. BZ PO1 French! 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. During the attack on the USS Gregory, a destroyer, he was aboard in 1943. When the sailors were rescued, the Master at Arms attempted to separate French from the men he had just saved. As one of the survivors, French found himself in the water on a life raft. The Southern.Life is a publication of Emerson Parker Press, which is owned and operated by Jim Harris and his wife, Marian. And while were at it can we please award Alwyn Cashes family his much deserved MOH.please. He died in 1956, at age 37, of depression and alcoholism from untreated post-traumatic stress, family members say. While the ship attempted to fight back, the enemy fire was too much. charles jackson french swam 6-8 hours in 1942nd a saved 15 of his crewmates and died in 1956. On September 4th of 1942, the USS Gregory found itself under attack from Japanese destroyers. Gregory near the Solomon Islands. Charles Jackson French was discharged from the Navy on Nov. 13, 1941, but reenlisted a month later after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. French, who moved to Omaha as a teen, first enlisted in the US Navy in 1937. Nothing of value. 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. 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. urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of Honor . 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). 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. Roughly 15 survivors of the Gregory, some injured, were gathered in a life raft. [2] To see the posts, click here. His story was largely forgotten until Bruce Wigo, a former director of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, unearthed it several years ago. We know of this story because of the courage demonstrated by Ensign Robert N Adrian, the only officer from the bridge of the Gregory to survive. For Black History Month 2022 we focused on Health and Wellness in the Black Community. Charles Jackson French was an incredible pioneer in the field of civil engineering. We see many examples of prisoners of war being treated with greater dignity than soldiers wearing American uniforms after suffering injuries, physical, emotional, mental, and even watched death. Inaction has been a great injustice to the goodly Sergeants bravery and sacrifice, for him and his Troops. This is his jaw-dropping story. This story or history was written to correct one of the many wrongs in the recording of American History. Ive always felt glad to be a proud American, Harris said. Generations of Sailors will train [at the pool] and never forget the values and legacy of such a brave American hero.. Charles Jackson French: Hero Without a Medal. During this time, the military followed the segregation laws that were prevalent in the nation. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. He remembers meeting his uncle during World War II just after the famous rescue and being inspired to learn to swim. He had first enlisted in the Navy in 1937 [1] and had completed his enlistment, moving to Omaha, Nebraska where he had family. On January 11, 1945, French was serving aboard the USS Bunker Hill, an aircraft carrier that was involved in the Battle of Okinawa. . 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. Benjamin Selph shares recognition for Charles Jackson French on behalf of the Navy. 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. 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. Born in a small town in California, Charles was a man of many talents. The waters were shark-infested. The wording of the letter follows. Several San Diego Navy leaders spoke. The Color of Water: A Black Mans Tribute to His White Mother. 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. While the sailors in the life raft were off the burning ship, they were still in deep trouble. 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. 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. For Black History Month 2021, we focused on Black Medical Achievements, Inventors and Scientists.To see those posts, click here. 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. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to a Black man. Either wouldeasilybe warranted in my opinion. Its the kind of narrative that captures your imagination regardless of which side of the aisle you are on., Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia has supported Thomas request. A pool and a letter of commendation dont seem like enough for this true American hero. Now, 80 years later, the Navy is finally catching up. This post office renaming is important to his family, the community of Omaha, and the state of Nebraska. sliewer@owh.com; twitter.com/Steve Liewer. Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French was an American hero who gave his life in service of his country. 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. 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. Join now . After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men was adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. 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. He served two stints in the Navy. The actions of the French will never be forgotten, as will their ultimate sacrifice. Kudos to the man that stepped up and saved himself and others from the awful fate of becoming Jap POWs. 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. He was recognized locally in September 2022 with the renaming of a Benson post office in his honor. 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. 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. This was one of the few assignments available to Black troops and included stevedores, stewards. In the end, there were fifteen additional sailors on the raft with the mess attendant. The University prohibits any form of retaliation taken against anyone for reporting discrimination, harassment, or retaliation for otherwise engaging in protected activity. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. towing a boat of wounded survivors by himself i.imgur.com/P1mQDe. In 2022, the Navy announced that they would name a pool at their San Diego base in Frenchs honor. This denied qualified service members training that could be used after the military. 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. 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 you have a story idea, news tip, or other question, please email the UNO News team at unonews@unomaha.edu. Was too much Schomburg that there was NO African History proper recognition Navy and Marine Medal. Of wounded survivors by himself i.imgur.com/P1mQDe current selection was too much a man of many.! French Jr. of Omaha, too in Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego California... 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