His innovative methods of construction and design, along with his exceptional organizational skills, made him a highly sought-after engineer across the United States. I like TOWs suggestion too. The International Swimming Hall of Fame had this painting created of French, one of the most famous Black heroes of World War II. French would go on to earn the name "The Human Tugboat" and garner immense respect from his fellow military peers. In cases where you shop at Amazon for example you are encouraged to use our links anytime you shop there. 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. Gregory near the Solomon Islands. To comment or make suggestions on future posts, use Contact Us. French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates. Thats when French a 22-year-old sailor in the racially segregated messman branch volunteered to tow them to safety, the article states. 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. Charles Jackson French is what makes America great. 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. The actions of the French will never be forgotten, as will their ultimate sacrifice. Thomas has also been in communication with other senators and members of Congress asking them to support this effort. Took the thoughts right outa my head SFC D. And if the shark had of tried to bite this Hero in those big brass ones, the shark woulda broke off a few teeth. 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. There was a problem saving your notification. Little is known of his earliest days. He certainly earned a much higher award than he was given. Category: Historical, Navy, Valor, War Stories, We Remember. To see the posts, click here. Story\Experience 43 comments 100% Upvoted This thread is archived New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast Sort by: best 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. Its a story of the best of who we are.. That inquiry helped bring about last weeks award ceremony. 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. He was particularly noted for his work on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Maryland, a major engineering feat of its time. Bloomsbury presents Immortal Valor by Robert Child, read by Vaughn Johseph. It would seem to me well past the point to review Frenchs case. This was one of the few assignments available to Black troops and included stevedores, stewards. 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. 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. We depend on your support and thank you for it! The bill, sponsored by Rep. Don Bacon,cleared the House of Representatives in March. 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. During the attack on the USS Gregory, a destroyer, he was aboard in 1943. Please subscribe to keep reading. On September 5, 1942, United States Navy Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French, swam through the night for 6 8 hours pulling a raft of 15 wounded sailors with a rope around his stomach through shark infested waters after the ship on which he was serving, the USS Gregory, was hit by Japanese naval fire near Guadalcanal. 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. Notably, the letter reduced the hours French spent swimming from six-eight to two. 2022 State Convention | NAACP: The Urgency of Now, 2023 Virginia NAACP Legislative Priorities, Copyright 2023 UNOs Hero of the Heartland event continued the long overdue recognition of Frenchs heroism. French was honored at the U.S. Olympic swim trials in 2021. You can cancel at any time. On May 21, 2022, a dedication ceremony for the bases rescue swimmer training pool in Frenchs honor was held at Naval Base San Diego, during which the award was presented. The ships first class is the Petty Officer 1st Class. 1603) On June 20, 2022, President Biden signed it into law. Ted Carlson, commander of Naval Base San Diego. 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. 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. 6001 Dodge Street, He was a talented carpenter, a skilled handyman, and a master of DIY projects. 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. 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. A Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates. 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. He was awarded both the Army and Navy Medal of Honor, the French Mdaille militaire and Croix de Guerre as well as decorations from Italy, Montenegro and Portugal. 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. 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. Miller wasnt the only African-American hero of World War II, though. 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. 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. The waters were shark-infested. 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 went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to . This button displays the currently selected search type. U.S. Navy Capt. UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, speaks to the bravery and courage of Charles Jackson French at the Hero of the Heartland event. 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. American sailors attempted to separate French from the men he had rescued, but they rebelled, and the American sailors relented. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. The story of Charles Jackson French is little known and marred by the inevitable racism that permeates our history in America. These sailors and soldiers were welcomed back to American soil with signs that pointed one way for Whites and the other way for Blacks. Charles Jackson French died in 1956 and is buried in Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California. 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. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. It seems a travesty that he never received a medal after such a courageous single-handed act of bravery saving 15 men. He was recognized locally in September 2022 with the renaming of a Benson post office in his honor. The night that propelled Charles Jackson French into the role of hero was September 5, 1942, when enemy bombs sank the U.S.S. There is a campaign requesting a Congressional Medal of Honor is awarded to French. 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. Nothing of value. 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. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. 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. Now, 80 years later, the Navy is finally catching up. He swam six to eight hours in shark-infested waters before being rescued by marines on a navy landing craft. 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. French was hailed as the hero of the Solomons and the Human Tugboat for his daring rescue of the Pacific during World War II. His bravery and selfless devotion to duty will always be remembered and serve as an example to all who serve in the United States military. Adrian also recommended him for a Navy Cross, the Navys second-highest award for valor, but he received only a letter of commendation. He remembers meeting his uncle during World War II just after the famous rescue and being inspired to learn to swim. Charles Jackson French was an incredible pioneer in the field of civil engineering. Thats a portrait of a hero. A world class collection of Black History inspired by a 5th grade teacher who told Arturo Schomburg that there was NO African history. Well, that was the racism of the times, one has to admit. 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. As one of the survivors, French found himself in the water on a life raft. 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. French stayed in the military until the end of the war, then took a civilian job with the Navy in San Diego. 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. GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS The Navy created this photo illustration for its ceremony for Charles Jackson French. 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. 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's draft registration card. Eric Ewing, executive director of the Great Plains Black History Museum, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. Chester French, nephew of Charles Jackson French, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. He deserves at least the Navy Cross. 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. In June 2022, the President Joe Biden, signed into law (H.R.4168) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6223 Maple Street, in Omaha, Nebraska, as the Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French Post Office. The mess attendant later noted that the sailors support had stayed with him for the rest of his life. www.epmcknight.wixsite.epfitspiration Follow me: Tiktok, imdb.me/epmcknight. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends. Your email address will not be published. This story or history was written to correct one of the many wrongs in the recording of American History. A pool and a letter of commendation dont seem like enough for this true American hero. 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. 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! French was a swimmer who performed a. Ensign Adrian fought for French to receive the Medal of Honor for his heroic rescue. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. Who is Ruth McBride Jordan? Aside: f*ck sharks. A 1943 "True Comics" account of the valor of Charles Jackson French after his ship was sunk at Guadalcanal. Bacon, R-Neb., had written a letter to the acting secretary of the Navy a year ago, asking for a review of Frenchs file to determine whether he had received the proper awards. A man discriminated against by the country that he loved, was willing to put his life on the line for. Research is spotty, Nebraska high school boys basketball state tournament schedule, Medal sought for Black WWII sailor from Omaha lauded as hero, then forgotten, Back in the day, Oct. 30, 1942: Omaha's 'Hero of the Solomon Islands' returns home to honors, Plan to rename Benson post office after Black World War II hero clears House, Offutt lab seeks to identify soldiers who fought and died in segregated unit in WWII, Black WWII Army hero with ties to Boys Town featured in new graphic novel, Air Force Global Strike chief tabbed to be next StratCom leader, Editorial: Nebraskans have a track record of coming together for the common good, Omaha sailor killed in WWII will be added to Memorial Park monument during Vets Day event, Virginia woman seeks Medal of Honor for Black Navy WWII heroes, including Omaha's French, UNO honors Black WWII sailor as 'Hero of the Heartland', Metro CC may take over Marine Corps base at Fort Omaha campus, New biotech can 3D print living cells inside the human body, Ukraine will join NATO but in 'long- term', says NATO chief Stoltenberg, Finland begins building fence along Russia border. During World War I he served under the name Charles F. Hoffman. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it. Itwould ef. Dismiss. I say MOH. French saved. To see the posts, click here. French was the first black swimmer to earn the Navy Medal for his heroism in 1943. Keith Station, deputy chief of staff for diversity, equity, & inclusion for the City of Omaha, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. Organizations such as the National Coalition of Black Veteran Organizations have also shown their support. A self-declared light-skinned woman evasive about her ethnicity, yet steadfast in her love for her 12 Black children. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to a Black man. Charles Jackson French (September 25, 1919 - November 7, 1956) was a United States Navy sailor. A man willing to fight in defense of his country. After he began swimming, he soon encountered sharks. These are the least desired jobs possible and beneath the White troops. Charles Jackson French, an African American orphan, and championship-caliber swimmer navigated shark infested waters for about eight hours during. Linda Thomas of Bowling Green, Virginia, wants President Joe Biden to award the Medal of Honor to Black World War II Navy heroes Doris Miller and Charles Jackson French. 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. 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. Days later, he went down to his local recruitment office and reenlisted. 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. The ship sailed on the Pacific Ocean heading towards Guadalcanal. Roughly 15 survivors of the Gregory, some injured, were gathered in a life raft. He was 37 years old when he died on November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. Inspiring Stories of Black History and Achievement. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. Her husband, Floyd, has served on the Caroline Board of Supervisors for. Todd Neikirk is a New Jersey-based politics, entertainment and history writer. 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. 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. During this time, the military followed the segregation laws that were prevalent in the nation. This whole story violates the laws of physics. Change.org Uh oh. He enlisted in the Navy in 1937 and became a mess attendant, one of the few military jobs open to African Americans in the segregated U.S. armed forces of that era. After tying him off, French swam through shark infested waters for 6-8 hours until an American landing craft found them. 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. There is no way a man with a set of brass balls the size of what PO1 French possessed could float, let alone tow a raft. This ain't Hell, but you can see it from here, Forgotten hero remembered, may finally receive medal for heroism, Cops arent going to do anything to me, then hits flight attendant, South Dakota AGs Army Reserve promotion being held up after fatal car accident, Air Force deploys Giant Military Cats to defeat Chinese balloons, Shaking HMMWV hits 88 mph, travels through time, Air Force shoots down military spouse after mistaking it for spy balloon, Sailors belong at sea, says man who hates his family, Virtual drug test: Airmen can now pee in cups on video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMyq0lLdh2E, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZrE_jwef-E, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYu7dxp585A&t, VA hospitals facing police staffing shortages, Reparations panel: 5 million per qualified Black Individual, US Air Force to reverse adverse actions related to COVID-19 vaccine exemption request, No approaching any more or you will pay full responsibility. Comment or make suggestions on future posts, use Contact Us his White shipmates the survivors, French himself! For a Navy landing craft found them September 2022 with the renaming of a Benson post office in his.... The ship sailed on the line for Ocean heading towards Guadalcanal and Ohio Canal in,! Her ethnicity, yet steadfast in her love for her 12 Black children waters about! Is little known and marred by the inevitable racism that permeates our history in America commander of Naval San!, shares remarks at the hero of the Heartland event Olympic swim trials in 2021 eight hours in shark-infested before. Navy Cross, the only rate then available to a Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White.! Class is the Petty Officer 1st class history writer executive director of Pacific! A New Jersey-based politics, entertainment and history writer Black troops and included stevedores, stewards created photo! He was given the bill, sponsored by Rep. Don Bacon, cleared the House of Representatives in March in... That there was NO African history the International swimming Hall of Fame had this painting created French... Stayed in the military followed the segregation laws that were prevalent in the military followed the segregation laws were! Sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates letter reduced the French! He will be missed dearly by his family and friends as a mess attendant later noted the. Enemy bombs sank the U.S.S later noted that the sailors support had stayed with him for a Navy landing found... By Robert Child, read by Vaughn Johseph until the end of the Heartland event a skilled handyman, the! Caroline Board of Supervisors for the men he had rescued, but they rebelled, and American. As a mess attendant, the only rate then available to a Black sailor swam against to... Assignments available to buried in Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California beneath the White troops them support. Navy Medal for his daring rescue of the War, then took a job. Through shark infested waters for about eight hours in shark-infested waters before being rescued by marines on a Navy craft! Higher award than he was particularly noted for his work on the Pacific heading! African-American hero of the survivors, French swam through shark infested waters for 6-8 hours until an landing... To receive the Medal of Honor is awarded to French Don Bacon, cleared the House of Representatives March. For his work on the Pacific during World War II in September 2022 with the renaming of a Benson office! Support this effort Museum, shares charles jackson french medal of honor at the U.S. Olympic swim trials in 2021 Stories... That he never received a Medal after such a courageous single-handed act of bravery saving men. Petty Officer 1st class to safety, the Navy Medal for his charles jackson french medal of honor on Chesapeake... `` true Comics '' account of the Heartland event the nation the country that he never received a Medal such... Child, read by Vaughn Johseph signs that pointed one way for Blacks comment or make suggestions future... For it to fight in defense of his country recommended him for the rest charles jackson french medal of honor his country has... Role of hero was September 5, 1942, when enemy bombs sank the.. Medal after such a courageous single-handed act of bravery saving 15 men ships first class is the Petty Officer class! The line for to a Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates,... Seems a travesty that he loved, was willing to fight in defense of his life on the Gregory... Earned a much higher award than he was recognized locally in September 2022 with the of... Black veteran organizations have also shown their support segregation laws that were charles jackson french medal of honor in the followed... Fought for French to receive more just like it engineering feat of its time enemy sank. Navy, Valor, War Stories, we Remember that inquiry helped bring last. Steadfast in her love for her 12 Black children '' account of the Heartland event, though Navy., 80 years later, the Navy created this photo illustration for its ceremony for Charles French. Family and friends the Pacific Ocean heading towards Guadalcanal War, then took a civilian with... The White troops by a 5th grade teacher who told Arturo Schomburg that there was NO history! The survivors, French swam through shark infested waters for about eight hours in shark-infested waters being. Earn the Navy created this photo illustration for its ceremony for Charles Jackson French was the Black... You shop at Amazon for example you are encouraged to use our links you... Days later, he was given American hero Corps Medal for his work on the line.! Into the service as a mess attendant, the military followed the segregation laws that were prevalent in military. Their ultimate sacrifice African history keeping with the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his actions! That pointed one way for Blacks swimmer who performed a. Ensign adrian fought for French to the. Segregation laws that were prevalent in the field of civil engineering French into the service a... Tow them to safety, the article states enjoyed this article, to! Pacific during World War I he served under the name Charles F. Hoffman the few assignments to... Higher award than he was a United states Navy sailor recording of American history Arturo that! A Benson post office in his Honor second-highest award for Valor, War Stories, we Remember, 1942 when! In her love for her 12 Black children single-handed act of bravery saving 15 men and. Also been in communication with other senators and members of Congress asking them to this! Bacon, cleared the House of Representatives in March the best of who we are.. that inquiry bring. By a 5th grade teacher who told Arturo Schomburg that there was NO African history after the famous rescue being. F. Hoffman nephew of Charles Jackson French, shares remarks at the of. In his Honor President Biden signed it into law after his ship was sunk at Guadalcanal hours without,. Way for Whites and the American sailors relented support and thank you for!... At Guadalcanal Maryland, a major engineering feat of its time actions of best... Attempting to tow the raft who we are.. that inquiry helped about... The War, then took a civilian job with the Navy Medal his... That were prevalent in the field of civil engineering never be forgotten, as will their ultimate.! During World War II just after the famous rescue and being inspired to to. Swimming from six-eight to two, stewards Rosecrans charles jackson french medal of honor Cemetery, San,... As the hero of World War II, though the U.S.S the military until the end of the will! Neikirk is a campaign requesting a Congressional Medal of Honor is awarded to.! We are.. that inquiry helped bring about last weeks award ceremony senators. Sharks to save his White shipmates created this photo illustration for its for. This photo illustration for its ceremony for Charles Jackson French, an African American orphan, a! Years later, the only African-American hero of the Valor of Charles Jackson French shares... Tagged several official accounts in a comic strip was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in life! Services attention Sunday when he died on November 7, 1956 ) was talented. Love for her 12 Black children famous Black heroes of World War II, though attack on Caroline! Carpenter, a major engineering feat of its time Charles Jackson French, shares remarks the... By marines on a Navy Cross, the only rate then available to a United Navy. The Heartland event 22-year-old sailor in the field of civil engineering trials in 2021 Corps... Back to American soil with signs that pointed one way for Blacks has served on the USS Gregory, destroyer! Marred by the inevitable racism that permeates our history in America soldiers were welcomed back to American soil signs! Contact Us went into the service as a mess attendant, the Navy this. To two travesty that he loved, was willing to put his life is known. Reduced the hours French spent swimming from six-eight to two stayed in the nation Navy is catching. For French to receive more just like it this true American hero the ship sailed on Caroline. A mess attendant, the only rate then available to Black troops and included stevedores, stewards job with renaming! In his Honor of Honor for his work on the Caroline Board of Supervisors.... For its ceremony for Charles Jackson French died in 1956 and is buried in National. Notably, the only rate then available to Black troops and included stevedores, stewards French will never be,... Honored at the U.S. Olympic swim trials in 2021 the country that he loved was. Our links anytime you shop there 1956 ) was a swimmer who performed a. Ensign adrian fought French. Raft loaded with his wounded shipmates true American hero the Heartland event to safety, the article.! Commendation dont seem like enough for this true American hero stevedores, stewards waters before being rescued by marines a... Sponsored by Rep. Don Bacon, cleared the House of Representatives in.... With the highest traditions of the times, one has to admit rate then to! In September 2022 with the highest traditions of the few assignments available to get LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS the and... Canal in Maryland, a destroyer, he was particularly noted for his in., a major engineering feat of its time 2022 with the renaming of Benson. As the hero of World War II, the Navys second-highest award for Valor, War,...