He was recognized locally in September 2022 with the renaming of a Benson post office in his honor. Her husband, Floyd, has served on the Caroline Board of Supervisors for. The omission remained on the record for more than four decades. You can read more about the Virginia NAACPs work and our six Game Changer issue areas by visiting NAACPVA.org. 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The ships first class is the Petty Officer 1st Class. The Hero of the Heartland event will honor additional local heroes in the coming years. During World War I he served under the name Charles F. Hoffman. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. The Color of Water: A Black Mans Tribute to His White Mother. ** On September 4th of 1942, the USS Gregory found itself under attack from Japanese destroyers. His story was retold in comic strips and trading cards, and he traveled the country to help sell war bonds before enthusiastic crowds. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. 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. To see these posts, click this link, For Womens History Month 2022 we featured 31 amazing Black women we should all know. Change.org Uh oh. During his service, he received a letter of commendation from the commander of the Southern Pacific Fleet, Adm. William F. Halsey, Jr. But after his parents died, he moved to. The ensign told French the plan was crazy, that they were surrounded by sharks and he would only get himself killed. In cases where you shop at Amazon for example you are encouraged to use our links anytime you shop there. In his interview with Wright, French described the intense racism he encountered, even after he helped save his shipmates. Charles Jackson French, an African American orphan and champion-caliber swimmer, navigated shark-infested waters for about eight hours during World War II on a frigid September 1942 night to pull to safety a raft of 15 sailors. To see this mini-series, click here. I was elated, said Chester French Jr. of Omaha, Charles nephew, who attended along with several other French family members. His heroism was recognized in popular culture, though. 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, The International Swimming Hall of Fame had this painting created of French, one of the most famous Black heroes of World War II. French, a strong swimmer since youth, volunteered to swim the boat away from the Japanese island. As one of the survivors, French found himself in the water on a life raft. 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. Benjamin Selph echoed Lis remarks, encouraging those in attendance to take inspiration from Frenchs courageous act. Todd Neikirk is a New Jersey-based politics, entertainment and history writer. 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. He certainly earned a much higher award than he was given. Days later, he went down to his local recruitment office and reenlisted. Im proud we could come together to recognize his legacy of service and sacrifice.. French received a letter of commendation from Admiral Bull Halsey that said; 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. 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. While the ship attempted to fight back, the enemy fire was too much. Well, that was the racism of the times, one has to admit. 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. French like so many Black men believed that if they showed they were willing to fight for the country that the country would show them and people of their race some gratitude and equality only to return to the same situation they were fighting against. 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. When bombs sank the. 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. In time it was learned that Charles Jackson French stood 5'8" tall and weighed 195 pounds. This button displays the currently selected search type. Thems the devils fish. In 2022, the Navy announced that they would name a pool at their San Diego base in Frenchs honor. 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. 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. 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. Yet, history has overlooked him. After tying him off, French swam through shark infested waters for 6-8 hours until an American landing craft found them. 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. 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. When Is The Best Time To Buy First Class Airline Tickets? French was a swimmer who performed a heroic act that gave others another chance at life. The ship sailed on the Pacific Ocean heading towards Guadalcanal. American sailors attempted to separate French from the men he had rescued, but they rebelled, and the American sailors relented. I like TOWs suggestion too. 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. 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. Ive always felt glad to be a proud American, Harris said. 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! 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. These are the least desired jobs possible and beneath the White troops. Jobs People Learning Dismiss Dismiss. Japanese destroyers sank the ship he was on, the USS Gregory, in the South Pacific in September 1942. U.S. Navy Capt. Charles Jackson French is what makes America great. Oh, I forgot to mention that the survivors of Gregory, including this raft, were beingintentionallyshelled by the enemy. 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. Bonus- The Story of Charles Jackson French. Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French was an American hero who gave his life in service of his country. The bravery that he demonstrated serves as a reminder of the sacrifices that can be made at any age. It is a fact that the victors in battle or those in power in peace write the history of past events to support their views of what should have happened versus the cold hard facts. www.epmcknight.wixsite.epfitspiration Follow me: Tiktok, imdb.me/epmcknight. 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. 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 have permission to edit this article. Charles Jackson French and his sister, Viola, were honored at a Creighton football game in Omaha on Oct. 31, 1942. 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 mess attendant died in 1956 at only 37 years of age. French was a swimmer who performed a. Born in a small town in California, Charles was a man of many talents. Use our links to Amazon anytime you shop Amazon. I [just] froze and tried to surface and float, [get] my feet outta the water.. He received an honorable discharge on November 11, 1941, but re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor. A man willing to fight in defense of his country. 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. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. This petition starter stood up and took action. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. 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. Charles Jackson French is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California. 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. 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. 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. Who is Ruth McBride Jordan? They were spotted and rescued by friendly forces when racism reared its ugly head. Charles Jackson French was discharged from the Navy on Nov. 13, 1941, but reenlisted a month later after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. I say MOH. Soon Frenchs name will be immortalized in Omaha, too. Born in a small town in California, Charles was a man of many talents. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. It took so long.. He was particularly noted for his work on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Maryland, a major engineering feat of its time. 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. Charles Jackson French: Hero Without a Medal. 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). Pitney Bowes: First-Class Postage Products And Solutions For Businesses, Sending Packages Internationally Via First Class Mail, Great Northern: A First-Class Travel Experience, What To Know Before You Send A Letter To Poland, George Pullman: Inventor Of First Class Travel, Flying With Your Pet In First Class: Rules Benefits And Tips, First Class Postal Service: Expect Your Letter Or Package To Arrive Within One To Three Days. Frenchs story was soon told by the War Gum Trading Card Company. The New York Times best-selling story from the author of The Good Lord Bird, winner of the 2013 National Book Award for Fiction. BZ PO1 French! French was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal in recognition of his bravery and combat action. 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. Future Hero of the Heartland events may be held during other heritage months to celebrate heroes among a broad array of diverse ethnic groups. Navy officials escorted members of Frenchs family to his gravesite at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, on San Diegos Point Loma peninsula. Both Miller and French have been highly decorated for their service, but Thomas wants to see them awarded the top honor. 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He is shown here later in his career, as a lieutenant commander. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. His work has been featured in psfk.com, foxsports.com, politicususa.com and hillreporter.com. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of Honor . 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. Adrian also recommended him for a Navy Cross, the Navys second-highest award for valor, but he received only a letter of commendation. Tucked away from Asheville, North Carolina's busy [Read More] about The Little Mountain Escape-The Biltmore House, As a youngster studying American History, we [Read More] about A Hero, Virtually Unknown to History, Was a Vital Part of Our Nations Independence, Copyright 2023 TheSouthern.Life Site design by: weblotech.com, about The Little Mountain Escape-The Biltmore House, about A Hero, Virtually Unknown to History, Was a Vital Part of Our Nations Independence, Read the story of Paul Bolden, Medal of Honor recipient from Alabama, Read the story of John Pruitt, WWI recipient of two Medals of Honor, The Little Mountain Escape-The Biltmore House, A Hero, Virtually Unknown to History, Was a Vital Part of Our Nations Independence. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men was adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. Ted Carlson, commander of Naval Base San Diego. 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. 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 first was an enlistment was in 1937 when he served four years before receiving an honorable discharge in 1941. Former Virginia State Conference (Virginia NAACP) President Linda Thomas put forth a resolution for two Black Veterans who should be awarded the Medal of Honor for their committed acts of extreme valor and heroism but were denied consideration solely because of their race. As a result, he is an inspiring example of the bravery and commitment of our youth. (H.R. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). 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. This whole story violates the laws of physics. I guess Pedo Joe has already forgotten about Alwyn Cashe. 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 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. In 1945, when Congress began reviewing the record of the most conspicuous acts of courage by American soldiers during World War II, they recommended awarding the Medal of Honor to 432 recipients. Racism preventing awarding a medal? 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. 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. After the death of his parents, he lived with his older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. French swam against the current for between six and eight hours. 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. A self-declared light-skinned woman evasive about her ethnicity, yet steadfast in her love for her 12 Black children. During this time, the military followed the segregation laws that were prevalent in the nation. He exemplified our core values and faced adversity with unwavering grit and selflessness. Charles Jackson French, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 77 on June 17th, 2020. On November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California, Charles Jackson French, 37 at the time, died. It seems a travesty that he never received a medal after such a courageous single-handed act of bravery saving 15 men. He swam six to eight hours in shark-infested waters before being rescued by marines on a navy landing craft. U . For Black History Month 2022 we focused on Health and Wellness in the Black Community. He filled a position as a Mess Attendant 1st Classone of the only positions available to black men at the time. 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 gunfire hit two of the ships boilers and the Gregory was set ablaze by the fire. In March of 1942, French was assigned to the USS Gregory (APD-3). Omaha, NE, 68182. When the sailors were rescued, the Master at Arms attempted to separate French from the men he had just saved. Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. A pool used to train rescue swimmers at Naval Base San Diego also was named in Frenchs honor at the ceremony. Read the full statement. Join now . He pulled off his clothes, had his shipmates help tie a rope around his waist, and dove into the water. Perhaps it was that he wasnt considered to be in combat. The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. Within days, French, 22, reenlisted. 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. 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. 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. French was also the only African American to appear on World War II patriotic trading cards issued by GUM, Inc. Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French swam through shark-infested waters for hours while towing a raft loaded with 15 of his wounded USS Gregory shipmates. German prisoners of war were allowed to ride with White soldiers while the Black fighters were relegated to open, drafty, smelly cattle cars. French received no medal, only a letter of commendation. French was honored at the U.S. Olympic swim trials in 2021. If you have a story idea, news tip, or other question, please email the UNO News team at unonews@unomaha.edu. The waters were shark-infested. 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. French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates through shark-infested waters to safety near Guadalcanal. Of the many acts of bravery among the men of Gregory during its final battle (including the mortally wounded skipper ordering his crew to abandon him and help other wounded, never to be seen again) was Charles French. {{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 served two stints in the Navy. We're doing our best to get things working smoothly! You can cancel at any time. Inaction has been a great injustice to the goodly Sergeants bravery and sacrifice, for him and his Troops. Growing Up and Early Naval Days. . 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