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. 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. In 2022, the Navy announced that they would name a pool at their San Diego base in Frenchs honor. I guess Pedo Joe has already forgotten about Alwyn Cashe. Kind of sounds like it. Benjamin Selph echoed Lis remarks, encouraging those in attendance to take inspiration from Frenchs courageous act. 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. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. Soon Frenchs name will be immortalized in Omaha, too. Enter your email address below to receive updates each time we publish new content. Her husband, Floyd, has served on the Caroline Board of Supervisors for. Thems the devils fish. After his military service, French developed alcoholism and depression. His wife, Linda, called the event just awesome., It makes you want to cry, she said. Either wouldeasilybe warranted in my opinion. For Black History Month 2022 we focused on Health and Wellness in the Black Community. During the melee, fifteen sailors were put abord a life raft but there was danger that they would drift towards land. Maybe they can stop naming warships after politicians and go back to naming them after actual heroes? 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. In May 2022, the Navy finally presented French'srelatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal in recognition of his heroics. Born in a small town in California, Charles was a man of many talents. The ultimate insult! Despite the fact that the Medal of Honor is extremely rare, it can be received twice. When Adrian told him that the swim would be arduous and the water was full of sharks, French responded that he was more afraid of the Japanese than he was of the sharks. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. 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. It is not necessary to purchase the item in the link. Well, that was the racism of the times, one has to admit. S. House of Representatives: Demand a Congressional Medal of Honor for Petty Officer Charles Jackson French - Sign the Petition! This meant that if there were family members they had to live in ghettos like the general public. A man willing to fight in defense of his country. 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. 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French would go on to earn the name "The Human Tugboat" and garner immense respect from his fellow military peers. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends. Lets get this HERO the Medal of Honor, Forgotten: The Untold Story of D-days Black Heroes, at Home and at War. 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. Charles Jackson French died in 1956 and is buried in Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California. It would seem to me well past the point to review Frenchs case. 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. 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. He deserves a higher award, and a destroyer named in his honor. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. The University prohibits any form of retaliation taken against anyone for reporting discrimination, harassment, or retaliation for otherwise engaging in protected activity. Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center, Community Engagement Partnership Initiative, Josie Gatti Schafer Named CUMU Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Research Fellow, #NUforNE: Keeping Nebraska Communities Healthy, Social Mobility, Experiential Learning Focus of Interview with UNO Chancellor Li, University of Nebraska Omaha, German prisoners of war were allowed to ride with White soldiers while the Black fighters were relegated to open, drafty, smelly cattle cars. He was a mess steward, one of the few positions Black sailors were then allowed to fill in the military. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. The ship sailed on the Pacific Ocean heading towards Guadalcanal. Charles Jackson French was discharged from the Navy on Nov. 13, 1941, but reenlisted a month later after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Japanese destroyers sank the ship he was on, the USS Gregory, in the South Pacific in September 1942. Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. U.S. Navy Capt. This post office renaming is important to his family, the community of Omaha, and the state of Nebraska. He was born in Foreman, Arkansas on September 25, 1919. 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. Yet, history has overlooked him. Days later, he went down to his local recruitment office and reenlisted. Im glad I waited til the evening to read this, its beer:30 hours at Fort Roh-Dog and this cold one is hoisted to the deeds of Messman Charles French. 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 BILL TO NAME A U.S. POST OFCEFI JUST PAST THE U.S. SENATE. French had only been out of the Navy for a couple of months when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Custer is the first soldier in US history to receive the militarys highest honor twice, as well as the first to do so twice. Charles French was born on September 25, 1919, in Foreman, Arkansas. There was no escape from racism despite putting your life on the line for your country. He told the story to the Associated Press which he also did on NBC radio program It Happened in the Service., Ensign Robert N. Adrian was awarded the Purple Heart and the man who rescued him got a letter meritorious conduct in action. Jobs People Learning Dismiss Dismiss. 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. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. 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. 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. 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. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of French's relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. Omaha, NE, 68182. You can use a link to tennis shoes to buy a refrigerator or anything else. Keith Station, deputy chief of staff for diversity, equity, & inclusion for the City of Omaha, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. But after his parents died, he moved to. 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. As one of the survivors, French found himself in the water on a life raft. He disrobed and with assistance tied the tow rope around his waist and swam what is estimated to be six to eight hours. To see the posts, click here. {{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? He was only referred to as French on the card, though. Kudos to the man that stepped up and saved himself and others from the awful fate of becoming Jap POWs. Dismiss. It is time to honor those who deserve honor! 80 years later, Omaha hero who swam in shark-infested waters receives Navy honor. No medal. I [just] froze and tried to surface and float, [get] my feet outta the water.. The link to these posts is here. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. 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. 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. He swam six to eight hours in shark-infested waters before being rescued by marines on a navy landing craft. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. The actions of the French will never be forgotten, as will their ultimate sacrifice. Teachers are pumped. The bravery that he demonstrated serves as a reminder of the sacrifices that can be made at any age. The waters were shark-infested. Willie Johnson, the youngest person to receive the Medal of Honor, is also the youngest person to receive the medal. 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. The Virginia NAACP is anticipating their favorable response. 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. During the attack on the USS Gregory, a destroyer, he was aboard in 1943. He is shown here later in his career, as a lieutenant commander. French saved. The night that propelled Charles Jackson French into the role of hero was September 5, 1942, when enemy bombs sank the U.S.S. 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. This man did as much if not more than a medic often does to save 15 of his comrades from capture, while being actively shelled, in shark infested waters. Category: Historical, Navy, Valor, War Stories, We Remember. USA Swimming honored him at the finals of the 2021 Swim Trials in June. He pulled off his clothes, had his shipmates help tie a rope around his waist, and dove into the water. On November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California, Charles Jackson French, 37 at the time, died. His bravery and selfless devotion to duty will always be remembered and serve as an example to all who serve in the United States military. https://chng.it/F8y8w5n2 via @Change 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. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. Charles Jackson French was an incredible pioneer in the field of civil engineering. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to a Black man. A little more than a week after Thomas first called the Senators office, Kaine wrote letters to President Joe Biden concerning Miller and French. 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. I will note that the fact that its being discussed now would suggest that that same racism DOESNT exist today. sliewer@owh.com; twitter.com/Steve Liewer. 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. While the ship attempted to fight back, the enemy fire was too much. 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. The Navy dedicated a pool there to French. Correction: This story has been corrected to state that the bill passed by the Senate was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Don Bacon. [2] French successfully brought the men to safety on the shores of the Solomon Islands. 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. 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. 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! Navy Chief of Information Rear Adm. Charles Brown retweeted the post, thanking Nance for highlighting Frenchs heroic story and promising to work with Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday to see whether the service could do anything more to recognize the sailor. 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. This petition starter stood up and took action. 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. 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. He certainly earned a much higher award than he was given. If the latter, the Navy and Marine Corps Medal might have been the most apropos award. . The omission remained on the record for more than four decades. A Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates. French was also the only African American to appear on World War II patriotic trading cards issued by GUM, Inc. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Charles Jackson French, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 77 on June 17th, 2020. His work has been featured in psfk.com, foxsports.com, politicususa.com and hillreporter.com. 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. To see the posts, click here. 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. 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. 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 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. As a result, he is an inspiring example of the bravery and commitment of our youth. To see these posts, click this link, For Womens History Month 2022 we featured 31 amazing Black women we should all know. Charles Jackson French and his sister, Viola, were honored at a Creighton football game in Omaha on Oct. 31, 1942. 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. In cases where you shop at Amazon for example you are encouraged to use our links anytime you shop there. To see the full listing of over 250 posts, click on our Blog listWe post weekly, so check often, For Black History Month 2020, we posted daily. Inaction has been a great injustice to the goodly Sergeants bravery and sacrifice, for him and his Troops. In March of 1942, French was assigned to the USS Gregory (APD-3). 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. 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. 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 . He had been born on Sept. 25, 1919, in Foreman, Arkansas. In the end, there were fifteen additional sailors on the raft with the mess attendant. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. He was a generous and kind soul who was always willing to lend a helping hand. Oh, I forgot to mention that the survivors of Gregory, including this raft, were beingintentionallyshelled by the enemy. Navy officials escorted members of Frenchs family to his gravesite at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, on San Diegos Point Loma peninsula. Notably, the letter reduced the hours French spent swimming from six-eight to two. Within days, French, 22, reenlisted. 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. After the death of his parents, he lived with an older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. 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. 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. 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. Charles Jackson French saved 15 men from the USS Gregory in September of 1942. More at the source. Ensign Robert Adrian realized that the currents were pulling the lifeboat back towards a Japanese-held island. The Omaha World-Herald reported that Frenchs story was brought back to prominence through a social media post by the International Swimming Hall of Fame. 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 mess attendant rescued his fellow crew members in 1942, after their ship was sunk in the Solomon Islands. The ensign told French the plan was crazy, that they were surrounded by sharks and he would only get himself killed. Rep. Don Bacon Honors Navy Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French, Immortal Valor: The Black Medal of Honor Winners of World War II. Name a warship after this Hero. It will inspire generations of sailors, he said. 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. These are the least desired jobs possible and beneath the White troops. In her pitch, Thomas said, to politicians: If ever youve needed a moment that says, I can look past party and politics and everything else going on in the world, this is it. Perhaps it was that he wasnt considered to be in combat. Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. French was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal in recognition of his bravery and combat action. Charles Jackson French's draft registration card. During his service, he received a letter of commendation from the commander of the Southern Pacific Fleet, Adm. William F. Halsey, Jr. 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. The Southern.Life is a publication of Emerson Parker Press, which is owned and operated by Jim Harris and his wife, Marian. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. 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. Aside: f*ck sharks. Despite the fact that he did not receive the Congressional Medal of Honor, French was awarded the second highest honor, just below the Congressional Medal of Honor, which had been given to Doris Miller. Naming warships after politicians and go back to prominence through a social media post by the was. Here later in his honor Im going the right way positions Black sailors were then allowed fill... The actions of the Solomon Islands of hero was September 5, 1942 was that... Reported that charles Jackson French, 37 at the finals of the French will be! 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