To see this mini-series, click here. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. The Navy dedicated a pool there to French. He is shown here later in his career, as a lieutenant commander. Follow him on Twitter @SteveLiewer. 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. Either wouldeasilybe warranted in my opinion. This meant that if there were family members they had to live in ghettos like the general public. Future Hero of the Heartland events may be held during other heritage months to celebrate heroes among a broad array of diverse ethnic groups. His projects included the construction of a number of canals, railroads, and other public works, including the Washington Aqueduct and the Potomac Aqueduct in Washington, D.C. Charles Jackson Frenchs work was instrumental in the development of the modern infrastructure that we rely on today. French was a swimmer who performed a. He also had a passion for gardening and was an avid reader. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. Charles Jackson French was discharged from the Navy on Nov. 13, 1941, but reenlisted a month later after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of Frenchs relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. 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 can cancel at any time. He was responsible for the development and construction of hundreds of public works projects during his career. He certainly earned a much higher award than he was given. And while were at it can we please award Alwyn Cashes family his much deserved MOH.please. A man willing to fight in defense of his country. 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. Dismiss. Charles Jackson French died in 1956 and is buried in Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California. Charles Jackson French was an American war hero from Foreman, Arkansas. For Black History Month 2022 we focused on Health and Wellness in the Black Community. I [just] froze and tried to surface and float, [get] my feet outta the water.. Your email address will not be published. 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 French was born on September 25, 1919, in Foreman, Arkansas. Copyrighted content researched and produced by DragonDen Productions ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Soon Frenchs name will be immortalized in Omaha, too. One member of the 320th would be nominated for the Medal of Honor, an award he would never receive because the nations highest decoration was not given to black soldiers in World War II. As promising as that sounded, that was the most dangerous place to be for fear that they would be captured and executed. The story of men who served their country when to do so was to endure, or to appear to accept the humiliating admission of ones own inferiority. In March of 1942, French was assigned to the USS Gregory (APD-3). James McBride, journalist, musician, and son, explores his mothers past, as well as his own upbringing and heritage, in a poignant and powerful debut, The Color of Water: A Black Mans Tribute to His White Mother. Yet, history has overlooked him. The actions of the French will never be forgotten, as will their ultimate sacrifice. Still, a letter of commendation is completely inadequate for what French did and I dont buy that this cant be considered combat. 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. Kind of sounds like it. 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. 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. This request was also forwarded to the National NAACP office asking for a resolution to be adopted. 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. He deserves a higher award, and a destroyer named in his honor. Charles Jackson French, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 77 on June 17th, 2020. In cases where you shop at Amazon for example you are encouraged to use our links anytime you shop there. Steve is the military affairs reporter for The World-Herald. Teachers are pumped. A Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates. 80 years later, Omaha hero who swam in shark-infested waters receives Navy honor. 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. Charles will be remembered fondly for his generous spirit, his kind and gentle nature, and the lasting impact he left on those he loved. This might be the first time I agree with Malcolm Nance. 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. Both Miller and French have been highly decorated for their service, but Thomas wants to see them awarded the top honor. Correction: This story has been corrected to state that the bill passed by the Senate was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Don Bacon. He was a true patriot whose dedication and dedication to country served as a model for future generations. 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. Ive always felt glad to be a proud American, Harris said. www.epmcknight.wixsite.epfitspiration Follow me: Tiktok, imdb.me/epmcknight. The link to these posts is here. Although he demonstrated extreme bravery, instead of the Medal of Honor, all French received was a nice letter from the U. S. Navy. "The country did . Ted Carlson, commander of Naval Base San Diego. He was a talented carpenter, a skilled handyman, and a master of DIY projects. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. In the end, there were fifteen additional sailors on the raft with the mess attendant. Notably, the letter reduced the hours French spent swimming from six-eight to two. French, who was manning the anti-aircraft guns, was killed in the ensuing explosion, making him one of the first casualties of the battle. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. 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. 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. 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. French saved. Read the full statement. Days later, he went down to his local recruitment office and reenlisted. He remembers meeting his uncle during World War II just after the famous rescue and being inspired to learn to swim. French, who moved to Omaha as a teen, first enlisted in the US Navy in 1937. After the death of his parents, he lived with an older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. 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. But after his parents died, he moved to. The waters were shark-infested. Her husband, Floyd, has served on the Caroline Board of Supervisors for. 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. 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. 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 the early hours of June 6, 1944, the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, a unit of African American soldiers, landed on the beaches of France. It will inspire generations of sailors, he said. French stayed in the military until the end of the war, then took a civilian job with the Navy in San Diego. 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. 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. French enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1937 and served four years. To see these posts, click this link, For Womens History Month 2022 we featured 31 amazing Black women we should all know. That inquiry helped bring about last weeks award ceremony. Yet, history has overlooked him. 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. I guess Pedo Joe has already forgotten about Alwyn Cashe. As one of the survivors, French found himself in the water on a life raft. 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. After his military service, French developed alcoholism and depression. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Don Bacon,cleared the House of Representatives in March. We also did a mini-series on the Schomburg Center for Research a most amazing collection of Black history and culture. Omaha, NE, 68182. The story of Charles Jackson French's World War II valor was told and retold, especially in Black newspapers. He pulled off his clothes, had his shipmates help tie a rope around his waist, and dove into the water. After the death of his parents, he lived with his older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. Little is known of his earliest days. . The first was an enlistment was in 1937 when he served four years before receiving an honorable discharge in 1941. 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. I will note that the fact that its being discussed now would suggest that that same racism DOESNT exist today. Thems the devils fish. 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. This blog was created to share a passion for all things Southern. [email protected]; twitter.com/Steve Liewer. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. French made public appearances after the rescue, including attending a Creighton University football game with his sister in 1942. French, a strong swimmer since youth, volunteered to swim the boat away from the Japanese island. 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. He received an honorable discharge on November 11, 1941, but re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor. But French said he wasnt afraid. It is not necessary to purchase the item in the link. He was particularly noted for his work on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Maryland, a major engineering feat of its time. 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! Charles Jackson French's draft registration card. Story\Experience 43 comments 100% Upvoted This thread is archived New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast Sort by: best A 1943 "True Comics" account of the valor of Charles Jackson French after his ship was sunk at Guadalcanal. French, who moved to Omaha as a teen, first enlisted in the US Navy in 1937. He was a generous and kind soul who was always willing to lend a helping hand. On January 11, 1945, French was serving aboard the USS Bunker Hill, an aircraft carrier that was involved in the Battle of Okinawa. Charles Jackson French is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California. We're doing our best to get things working smoothly! 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. 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. Charles Jackson French: Hero Without a Medal. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. It seems a travesty that he never received a medal after such a courageous single-handed act of bravery saving 15 men. Perhaps racism played a role in French not receiving proper recognition. He disrobed and with assistance tied the tow rope around his waist and swam what is estimated to be six to eight hours. 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. 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. 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. His story was largely forgotten until Bruce Wigo, a former director of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, unearthed it several years ago. He was 37 years old when he died on November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California. towing a boat of wounded survivors by himself i.imgur.com/P1mQDe. 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. French was born in Arkansas in 1919, but moved to Omaha as a youth to live with his married older sister, Viola. 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. 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. 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. Todd Neikirk is a New Jersey-based politics, entertainment and history writer. French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates. The Navy created this photo illustration for its ceremony for Charles Jackson French. He exemplified our core values and faced adversity with unwavering grit and selflessness. Charles Jackson French is what makes America great. Their orders were to man a curtain of armed balloons meant to deter enemy aircraft. 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. This is his jaw-dropping story. 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. This is a close as you can get to a system of slavery as it is forced on the service member. When Is The Best Time To Buy First Class Airline Tickets? Ensign Robert Adrian realized that the currents were pulling the lifeboat back towards a Japanese-held island. 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. He was only referred to as French on the card, though. U.S. Navy sailor Charles Jackson French saved 15 shipmates by dragging a life raft through shark-infested waters after the Japanese sank the USS Gregory in 1942. . The Hero of the Heartland event will honor additional local heroes in the coming years. I nearly peed on myself when one of them sharks [touched] my feet. Charles Jackson French (September 25, 1919 - November 7, 1956) was a United States Navy sailor. French was honored at the U.S. Olympic swim trials in 2021. 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. 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. The mess attendant rescued his fellow crew members in 1942, after their ship was sunk in the Solomon Islands. The story of Charles Jackson French is little known and marred by the inevitable racism that permeates our history in America. I was happy to see that, as an American Black man, (French) got recognized.. The story of Frenchs bravery was celebrated at the time but then largely forgotten for decades. I was elated, said Chester French Jr. of Omaha, Charles nephew, who attended along with several other French family members. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends. Author and Navy veteran Malcolm Nance got the services attention Sunday when he tagged several official accounts in a Twitter post about French. 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