The Navy dedicated a pool there to French. 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. But after his parents died, he moved to. Keith Station, deputy chief of staff for diversity, equity, & inclusion for the City of Omaha, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. Japanese destroyers sank the ship he was on, the USS Gregory, in the South Pacific in September 1942. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. Either wouldeasilybe warranted in my opinion. French was also the only African American to appear on World War II patriotic trading cards issued by GUM, Inc. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. Generations of Sailors will train [at the pool] and never forget the values and legacy of such a brave American hero.. 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. 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. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it. There is a campaign requesting a Congressional Medal of Honor is awarded to French. These are the least desired jobs possible and beneath the White troops. Charles Jackson French is what makes America great. 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. In March of 1942, French was assigned to the USS Gregory (APD-3). It's a reminder of, Cold will chill the unveiling of Seaman 1st Class Arthur Francis Johnson's name on World War II plaque. . 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. Inspiring Stories of Black History and Achievement. 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. 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. 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. 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. This is his jaw-dropping story. Adrian retired from the Navy in 1966 and died in 2011, without succeeding. He remembers meeting his uncle during World War II just after the famous rescue and being inspired to learn to swim. Still, a letter of commendation is completely inadequate for what French did and I dont buy that this cant be considered combat. For Black History Month 2022 we focused on Health and Wellness in the Black Community. Aside: f*ck sharks. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, he noted that part of his job is to make sure that our veterans receive the recognition they deserve for their courage and dedication to our country. Roughly 15 survivors of the Gregory, some injured, were gathered in a life raft. Charles Jackson French was a Navy Mess Specialist 1st Class Petty Officer the night the USS Gregory (APD 3) was sunk by Japanese destroyers during the Battle of Guadalcanal. The 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. French was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal in recognition of his bravery and combat action. 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. That inquiry helped bring about last weeks award ceremony. Charles Jackson French and his sister, Viola, were honored at a Creighton football game in Omaha on Oct. 31, 1942. This is the story of the Stewards, Cooks and Messboys who manned that branch of naval service. 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. Inaction has been a great injustice to the goodly Sergeants bravery and sacrifice, for him and his Troops. This post office renaming is important to his family, the community of Omaha, and the state of Nebraska. towing a boat of wounded survivors by himself i.imgur.com/P1mQDe. We depend on your support and thank you for it! Since they were taking direct fire, Id feel the Navy Cross the more appropriate of the two. Charles Jackson French (September 25, 1919 - November 7, 1956) was a United States Navy sailor. 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. We receive a small royalty without cost to you. 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. Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. He died in 1956, at age 37, of depression and alcoholism from untreated post-traumatic stress, family members say. In cases where you shop at Amazon for example you are encouraged to use our links anytime you shop there. 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. This whole story violates the laws of physics. The wording of the letter follows. Little is known of his earliest days. French made public appearances after the rescue, including attending a Creighton University football game with his sister in 1942. Soon after, a bill passed the Nebraska legislature to name an Omaha post office for him. It seems a travesty that he never received a medal after such a courageous single-handed act of bravery saving 15 men. American sailors attempted to separate French from the men he had rescued, but they rebelled, and the American sailors relented. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to a Black man. The actions of the French will never be forgotten, as will their ultimate sacrifice. The night that propelled Charles Jackson French into the role of hero was September 5, 1942, when enemy bombs sank the U.S.S. 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. This activity includes urging President Biden to posthumously confer the Medals of Honor on Doris Miller and Charles French.. It is not necessary to purchase the item in the link. He is shown here later in his career, as a lieutenant commander. Rep. Don Bacon Honors Navy Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French, Immortal Valor: The Black Medal of Honor Winners of World War II. Growing Up and Early Naval Days. 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. 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. Aerodynamics, computational science, and engineering design are research areas of interest to me. The waters were shark-infested. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. . The Color of Water: A Black Mans Tribute to His White Mother. Category: Historical, Navy, Valor, War Stories, We Remember. Award of a Medal of Honor would require congressional intervention, but award of a Navy Cross or a Navy and Marine Corps Medal would not. You gotta be kidding me. His heroism was recognized in popular culture, though. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. 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. Organizations such as the National Coalition of Black Veteran Organizations have also shown their support. His wife, Linda, called the event just awesome., It makes you want to cry, she said. After the death of his parents, he lived with his older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. 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. 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. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. This is a close as you can get to a system of slavery as it is forced on the service member. You can read more about the Virginia NAACPs work and our six Game Changer issue areas by visiting NAACPVA.org. He was a generous and kind soul who was always willing to lend a helping hand. It would seem to me well past the point to review Frenchs case. 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. He was a mess steward, one of the few positions Black sailors were then allowed to fill in the military. The waters were shark-infested. 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. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men was adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. 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. 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. Maybe they can stop naming warships after politicians and go back to naming them after actual heroes? 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. 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. 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. During the battle, the Bunker Hill was struck by two kamikaze planes which caused the ship to suffer a massive explosion. 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. French was an African American serving at a time when prejudice and discrimination were ever-present in our Armed Forces and society, said Capt. Yet, history has overlooked him. The event was held as part of events hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs in observance of Black History Month. French was a swimmer who performed a. French served aboard the USS Houston for four years before returning to Omaha. This story or history was written to correct one of the many wrongs in the recording of American History. Days later, he went down to his local recruitment office and reenlisted. The omission remained on the record for more than four decades. Its a story of the best of who we are.. 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. "The country did . In May 2022, the Navy finally presented French'srelatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal in recognition of his heroics. 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. The living quarters were strictly segregated as was housing for family members. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. 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. Charles Jackson French was an American war hero from Foreman, Arkansas. Now many feel that a letter of commendation for a heroic eight hour swim through sharks and enemy shell fire is not enough. He was born in Foreman, Arkansas on September 25, 1919. https://chng.it/F8y8w5n2 via @Change As promising as that sounded, that was the most dangerous place to be for fear that they would be captured and executed. urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of Honor . Todd Neikirk is a New Jersey-based politics, entertainment and history writer. 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. 1603) On June 20, 2022, President Biden signed it into law. During the melee, fifteen sailors were put abord a life raft but there was danger that they would drift towards land. Navy officials escorted members of Frenchs family to his gravesite at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, on San Diegos Point Loma peninsula. USA Swimming honored him at the finals of the 2021 Swim Trials in June. Charles Jackson French is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California. 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. As one of the survivors, French found himself in the water on a life raft. We also did a mini-series on the Schomburg Center for Research a most amazing collection of Black history and culture. This might be the first time I agree with Malcolm Nance. Or even going back to the 90s when a lot of this (blacks finally getting the awards they deserve) started to happen. Adrian also recommended him for a Navy Cross, the Navys second-highest award for valor, but he received only a letter of commendation. During World War I he served under the name Charles F. Hoffman. He was particularly noted for his work on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Maryland, a major engineering feat of its time. Continue to scroll for fascinating Videos and Books to enhance your learning experience. Mrs. Thomas requests the Medal of Honor for the following Black Veterans: More than 3500 Medals of Honor have been given out to date, according to the National Medal of Honor Museum, however, less than 100 of those recipients are African-American. 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. 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. Instead, the Navy only issued a letter of commendation. The rescued men angrily reacted to this decision, threatening a fight if it wasnt reversed. When the sailors were rescued, the Master at Arms attempted to separate French from the men he had just saved. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. Jobs People Learning Dismiss Dismiss. 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. 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. 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. The Virginia NAACP is anticipating their favorable response. Steve is the military affairs reporter for The World-Herald. U . 2022 State Convention | NAACP: The Urgency of Now, 2023 Virginia NAACP Legislative Priorities, Copyright 2023 Will definitely agree that he earned a higher award than was given. Although he demonstrated extreme bravery, instead of the Medal of Honor, all French received was a nice letter from the U. S. Navy. 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. 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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 was a swimmer who performed a heroic act that gave others another chance at life. When bombs sank the. Please subscribe to keep reading. On January 11, 1945, French was serving aboard the USS Bunker Hill, an aircraft carrier that was involved in the Battle of Okinawa. Notably, the letter reduced the hours French spent swimming from six-eight to two. He was a talented carpenter, a skilled handyman, and a master of DIY projects. The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. Charles French was born on September 25, 1919, in Foreman, Arkansas. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. The ship sailed on the Pacific Ocean heading towards Guadalcanal. More at the source. On Thursday, a billto rename the Benson postal facility at 6223 Maple St. the Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French Post Office cleared the Senate by a unanimous vote. 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. This to the scientific notationed! 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. In 2011, the National Board of the NAACP passed a resolution requesting the Medal Of Honor for Doris (Dorie) Miller. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of Frenchs relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. 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. Continue scrolling down for more amazing information, videos, books and value items. 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. He re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor where he was assigned to be a mess attendant. A 1943 "True Comics" account of the valor of Charles Jackson French after his ship was sunk at Guadalcanal. In this story can be found the heretofore-unwritten chapters of one phase of the Negroes march toward freedom in America, written by a man who participated in it. 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. 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. 6001 Dodge Street, The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has continued its advocacy work in the Commonwealth of Virginia since 1935 through the Virginia State Conference. Copyrighted content researched and produced by DragonDen Productions ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. There was a problem saving your notification. All DragonDen media is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. Charles Jackson French: Hero Without a Medal. French successfully brought the men to safety on the shores of the Solomon Islands. Ensign Adrian fought for French to receive the Medal of Honor for his heroic rescue. (H.R. Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French was an American hero who gave his life in service of his country. Note: when French was in the Navy, it was not permitted for there to be Blacks and Whites in the water at the same time. The story of Charles Jackson French's World War II valor was told and retold, especially in Black newspapers. BZ PO1 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. We encourage you to share the site on social media. 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Yeah, I know, not with this illegitimate regime in place. French was a swimmer who performed a heroic act that gave others another chance at life. A pool and a letter of commendation dont seem like enough for this true American hero. 2023 A Month of Tribute to 31 Women We Should All Know, Rosewood A Typical Race Riot in America. 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. Thats when French a 22-year-old sailor in the racially segregated messman branch volunteered to tow them to safety, the article states. 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. Perhaps racism played a role in French not receiving proper recognition. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. His story was largely forgotten until Bruce Wigo, a former director of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, unearthed it several years ago. Proclamations naming the Benson post office in his uncle's honor are featured on easels in front of the stage. This denied qualified service members training that could be used after the military. Charles Jackson (MEng, DIS, MINCOSE) Expand search. They were taking direct fire, Id feel the Navy Cross, the letter reduced the hours French spent from... Armed Forces and society, said Capt Honor for Doris ( Dorie Miller! Are featured on easels in front of the many wrongs in the South Pacific in September 1942 post... The NAACP passed a resolution requesting the Medal of Honor for Doris ( Dorie ) Miller easels in of! 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