On November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California, Charles Jackson French, 37 at the time, died. 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. Charles Jackson French, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 77 on June 17th, 2020. He deserves a higher award, and a destroyer named in his honor. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. The story of the men who fought and served under trying circumstances. Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French was an American hero who gave his life in service of his country. 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. Dismiss. French enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1937 and served four years. French, a strong swimmer since youth, volunteered to swim the boat away from the Japanese island. Since they were taking direct fire, Id feel the Navy Cross the more appropriate of the two. Willie Johnson, the youngest person to receive the Medal of Honor, is also the youngest person to receive the medal. 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 . This whole story violates the laws of physics. 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. French successfully brought the men to safety on the shores of the Solomon Islands. Now many feel that a letter of commendation for a heroic eight hour swim through sharks and enemy shell fire is not enough. French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates through shark-infested waters to safety near Guadalcanal. 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. The Virginia NAACP is anticipating their favorable response. 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. This might be the first time I agree with Malcolm Nance. 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. French was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal in recognition of his bravery and combat action. The ultimate insult! This is his jaw-dropping story. We depend on your support and thank you for it! After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men was adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. https://chng.it/F8y8w5n2 via @Change 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. It would seem to me well past the point to review Frenchs case. 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. 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. Join now . He quickly went to work pulling other sailors aboard with him. 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. 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). Virginia NAACP President Robert Barnette was pleased to have his Executive Committee give its unanimous support to Mrs. Thomas effort. A BILL TO NAME A U.S. POST OFCEFI JUST PAST THE U.S. SENATE. 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. Steve is the military affairs reporter for The World-Herald. 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. Perhaps racism played a role in French not receiving proper recognition. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. 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. German prisoners of war were allowed to ride with White soldiers while the Black fighters were relegated to open, drafty, smelly cattle cars. Thomas has also been in communication with other senators and members of Congress asking them to support this effort. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of French's relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. This was one of the few assignments available to Black troops and included stevedores, stewards. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. 6001 Dodge Street, 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. 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. 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. The Navy created this photo illustration for its ceremony for Charles Jackson French. Ive always felt glad to be a proud American, Harris said. 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. We remember Charles Jackson French, winner of the Navy medal, who swam through the Pacific after his vessel sunk in WWII. 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. Kind of sounds like it. French became famous after his commander, Ensign Robert Adrian, told the story on a radio program broadcast across the country. Charles Jackson French, an African American orphan, and championship-caliber swimmer navigated shark infested waters for about eight hours during. 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. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. French volunteered to tow the raft to another island that was safer, however, these were shark infested waters and those on board the raft attempted to talk French out of the mission, but he believed that death by shark would at least be quick and merciful. Teachers are pumped. 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. The bravery that he demonstrated serves as a reminder of the sacrifices that can be made at any age. The story of Charles Jackson French's World War II valor was told and retold, especially in Black newspapers. He was 37 years old when he died on November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California. While the ship attempted to fight back, the enemy fire was too much. After the rescued ensign recounted the story to The Associated Press and on the radio, French became nationally known as the Human Tugboat. He received a heros welcome in his sisters hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. www.epmcknight.wixsite.epfitspiration Follow me: Tiktok, imdb.me/epmcknight. Inspiring Stories of Black History and Achievement. Chester French, nephew of Charles Jackson French, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. Aside: f*ck sharks. Copyrighted content researched and produced by DragonDen Productions ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Benjamin Selph echoed Lis remarks, encouraging those in attendance to take inspiration from Frenchs courageous act. During his service, he received a letter of commendation from the commander of the Southern Pacific Fleet, Adm. William F. Halsey, Jr. But French said he wasnt afraid. A man discriminated against by the country that he loved, was willing to put his life on the line for. We encourage you to share the site on social media. On January 11, 1945, French was serving aboard the USS Bunker Hill, an aircraft carrier . French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. Born in a small town in California, Charles was a man of many talents. To see the posts, click here. Sergeant Major Ernest August Janson (August 17, 1878 - May 14, 1930) was a United States Marine who was highly decorated for his heroic actions in World War I. Maybe they can stop naming warships after politicians and go back to naming them after actual heroes? The VSC NAACP is in full support of Thomass campaign. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. In Omaha, French was honored at a Creighton University football game and was selected to lead a crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance at an Armistice Day (now called Veterans Day) event. No medal. The mess attendant died in 1956 at only 37 years of age. The Navy dedicated a pool there to French. U.S. Navy Capt. Kudos to the man that stepped up and saved himself and others from the awful fate of becoming Jap POWs. Inaction has been a great injustice to the goodly Sergeants bravery and sacrifice, for him and his Troops. 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 was only referred to as French on the card, though. 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. Charles Jackson French and his sister, Viola, were honored at a Creighton football game in Omaha on Oct. 31, 1942. The information that we present to everyone is extremely important, and a small donation can help us keep it that way. (H.R. During the melee, fifteen sailors were put abord a life raft but there was danger that they would drift towards land. Proclamations naming the Benson post office in his uncle's honor are featured on easels in front of the stage. 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. He died in 1956, at age 37, of depression and alcoholism from untreated post-traumatic stress, family members say. A pool and a letter of commendation dont seem like enough for this true American hero. He was a true patriot whose dedication and dedication to country served as a model for future generations. He certainly earned a much higher award than he was given. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. 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. This is the story of Charles Jackson French, who rescued several soldiers during the Battle of Guadalcanal. A world class collection of Black History inspired by a 5th grade teacher who told Arturo Schomburg that there was NO African history. 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 served aboard the USS Houston for four years before returning to Omaha. 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. 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 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. The night that propelled Charles Jackson French into the role of hero was September 5, 1942, when enemy bombs sank the U.S.S. He was particularly noted for his work on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Maryland, a major engineering feat of its time. We're doing our best to get things working smoothly! Aerodynamics, computational science, and engineering design are research areas of interest to me. I will note that the fact that its being discussed now would suggest that that same racism DOESNT exist today. Brown noted that, with Frenchs name and photo attached to the Navy pool, his story will be told well into the future. You can read more about the Virginia NAACPs work and our six Game Changer issue areas by visiting NAACPVA.org. French stayed in the military until the end of the war, then took a civilian job with the Navy in San Diego. 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. Racism preventing awarding a medal? Omaha hailed hometown hero Charles Jackson French back in 1942, when the African American mess steward saved the lives of his shipmates after their destroyer was sunk in the World War II battle of the Solomon Islands. Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French was an American hero who gave his life in service of his country. Who told Arturo Schomburg that there was danger that they would drift towards land told. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Solomon.. In front of the Heartland event created this photo illustration for its for! 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