The New York Times best-selling story from the author of The Good Lord Bird, winner of the 2013 National Book Award for Fiction. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. 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. 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. During this time, the military followed the segregation laws that were prevalent in the nation. Inspiring Stories of Black History and Achievement. 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. The waters were shark-infested. No medal. Bonus- The Story of Charles Jackson French. American sailors attempted to separate French from the men he had rescued, but they rebelled, and the American sailors relented. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. 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Charles Jackson French, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 77 on June 17th, 2020. 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. The story of Charles Jackson French is little known and marred by the inevitable racism that permeates our history in America. 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. 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. Please subscribe to keep reading. His story was largely forgotten until Bruce Wigo, a former director of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, unearthed it several years ago. Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French was an American hero who gave his life in service of his country. While the sailors in the life raft were off the burning ship, they were still in deep trouble. He was responsible for the development and construction of hundreds of public works projects during his career. 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. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. For Black History Month 2022 we focused on Health and Wellness in the Black Community. 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. Thomas has also been in communication with other senators and members of Congress asking them to support this effort. 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. ** Dismiss. The ships first class is the Petty Officer 1st Class. Despite the fact that more than one million African Americans served, not a single Black soldier received the Medal of Honor. He was a talented carpenter, a skilled handyman, and a master of DIY projects. 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. 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. Charles Jackson French was an American war hero from Foreman, Arkansas. 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 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. You can read more about the Virginia NAACPs work and our six Game Changer issue areas by visiting NAACPVA.org. After tying him off, French swam through shark infested waters for 6-8 hours until an American landing craft found 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. 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 . Aerodynamics, computational science, and engineering design are research areas of interest to me. More at the source. After he began swimming, he soon encountered sharks. https://chng.it/F8y8w5n2 via @Change The ultimate insult! It only took 3 minutes for the ship to sink. If the latter, the Navy and Marine Corps Medal might have been the most apropos award. This meant that if there were family members they had to live in ghettos like the general public. GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS Teachers are pumped. 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. French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates through shark-infested waters to safety near Guadalcanal. The event was held as part of events hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs in observance of Black History Month. He deserves at least the Navy Cross. During the melee, fifteen sailors were put abord a life raft but there was danger that they would drift towards land. The VSC NAACP is in full support of Thomass campaign. Name a warship after this Hero. www.epmcknight.wixsite.epfitspiration Follow me: Tiktok, imdb.me/epmcknight. French saved. Now, 80 years later, the Navy is finally catching up. Ted Carlson, commander of Naval Base San Diego, which makes this recognition of Charles (Jackson) Frenchs heroic actions even more significant.. Chester French, nephew of Charles Jackson French, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. This is a close as you can get to a system of slavery as it is forced on the service member. The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. They were spotted and rescued by friendly forces when racism reared its ugly head. Keith Station, deputy chief of staff for diversity, equity, & inclusion for the City of Omaha, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its education programs or activities, including admissions and employment. Eric Ewing, executive director of the Great Plains Black History Museum, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. 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. Or even going back to the 90s when a lot of this (blacks finally getting the awards they deserve) started to happen. 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. 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. 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. The mess attended tied a rope around his waist and the boat and began the journey. French was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal in recognition of his bravery and combat action. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of Frenchs relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. 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. It was amplified on social media in spring 2021, prompting USA Swimming to honor him during the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials in Omaha last June. To see the posts, click here. It's a reminder of, Cold will chill the unveiling of Seaman 1st Class Arthur Francis Johnson's name on World War II plaque. 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. 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. It seems a travesty that he never received a medal after such a courageous single-handed act of bravery saving 15 men. He also had a passion for gardening and was an avid reader. 1603) On June 20, 2022, President Biden signed it into law. During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. The actions of the French will never be forgotten, as will their ultimate sacrifice. Born in a small town in California, Charles was a man of many talents. Charles Jackson French, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 77 on June 17th, 2020. It is the service's highest award for noncombat heroism . Change.org Uh oh. 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. After the death of his parents, he lived with an older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. French, who was manning the anti-aircraft guns, was killed in the ensuing explosion, making him one of the first casualties of the battle. 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. While the ship attempted to fight back, the enemy fire was too much. This post office renaming is important to his family, the community of Omaha, and the state of Nebraska. Virginia NAACP President Robert Barnette was pleased to have his Executive Committee give its unanimous support to Mrs. Thomas effort. I was elated, said Chester French Jr. of Omaha, Charles nephew, who attended along with several other French family members. He received an honorable discharge on November 11, 1941, but re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor. 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. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. His own father served in the war, 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. 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. Thems the devils fish. 80 years later, Omaha hero who swam in shark-infested waters receives Navy honor. Custer is the first soldier in US history to receive the militarys highest honor twice, as well as the first to do so twice. A letter of commendation? In San Diego in 2022, French's family was presented with his posthumous Navy and Marine Corps medal. He quickly went to work pulling other sailors aboard with him. He was also featured in a 1943 comic book and was honored at halftime during a Creighton University football game. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men was adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. French was a swimmer who performed a. I guess Pedo Joe has already forgotten about Alwyn Cashe. 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. We remember Charles Jackson French, winner of the Navy medal, who swam through the Pacific after his vessel sunk in WWII. Growing Up and Early Naval Days. (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. The ensign told French the plan was crazy, that they were surrounded by sharks and he would only get himself killed. French swam against the current for between six and eight hours. Charles Jackson (MEng, DIS, MINCOSE) Expand search. U . A Change.org petition also was started Monday, urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of Honor. 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. Though the survivors felt French deserved a Medal of Honor or at least a Silver Star, the Swimming Hall of Fame story states, he never received either. The omission remained on the record for more than four decades. Inaction has been a great injustice to the goodly Sergeants bravery and sacrifice, for him and his Troops. The gunfire hit two of the ships boilers and the Gregory was set ablaze by the fire. Dorie Miller is the most well-known African American hero of World War II. During his service, he received a letter of commendation from the commander of the Southern Pacific Fleet, Adm. William F. Halsey, Jr. Japanese destroyers sank the ship he was on, the USS Gregory, in the South Pacific in September 1942. {{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? A self-declared light-skinned woman evasive about her ethnicity, yet steadfast in her love for her 12 Black children. He is shown here later in his career, as a lieutenant commander. 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. Racism preventing awarding a medal? "The country did . His innovative methods of construction and design, along with his exceptional organizational skills, made him a highly sought-after engineer across the United States. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. I read about this on Facebook some time ago. His family was presented with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal, and a swimming pool used for training at the Naval Base San Diego was dedicated in his honor in May 2022. In the end, there were fifteen additional sailors on the raft with the mess attendant. In March of 1942, French was assigned to the USS Gregory (APD-3). French, who moved to Omaha as a teen, first enlisted in the US Navy in 1937. Continue scrolling down for more amazing information, videos, books and value items. It took so long.. Charles Jackson French's draft registration card. Chester French, nephew of Charles Jackson French, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. Both Miller and French have been highly decorated for their service, but Thomas wants to see them awarded the top honor. To comment or make suggestions on future posts, use Contact Us. Dismiss. Maybe they can stop naming warships after politicians and go back to naming them after actual heroes? Rep. Don Bacon Honors Navy Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French, Immortal Valor: The Black Medal of Honor Winners of World War II. Charles French was born on September 25, 1919, in Foreman, Arkansas. Willie Johnson, the youngest person to receive the Medal of Honor, is also the youngest person to receive the medal. 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. Charles Jackson French, an African American orphan, and championship-caliber swimmer navigated shark infested waters for about eight hours during. A BILL TO NAME A U.S. POST OFCEFI JUST PAST THE U.S. SENATE. He remembers meeting his uncle during World War II just after the famous rescue and being inspired to learn to swim. 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. Continue to scroll for fascinating Videos and Books to enhance your learning experience. French was a swimmer who performed a. If you have a story idea, news tip, or other question, please email the UNO News team at unonews@unomaha.edu. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. This activity includes urging President Biden to posthumously confer the Medals of Honor on Doris Miller and Charles French.. 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. 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. In 2011, the National Board of the NAACP passed a resolution requesting the Medal Of Honor for Doris (Dorie) Miller. French had only been out of the Navy for a couple of months when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. French served aboard the USS Houston for four years before returning to Omaha. 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. The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. Story\Experience 43 comments 100% Upvoted This thread is archived New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast Sort by: best Darn guys a stud. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. The bravery that he demonstrated serves as a reminder of the sacrifices that can be made at any age. 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. 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. When the sailors were rescued, the Master at Arms attempted to separate French from the men he had just saved. Required fields are marked *. Well, that was the racism of the times, one has to admit. 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). 6001 Dodge Street, That led to recognition during the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials held in Omaha in 2021. I [just] froze and tried to surface and float, [get] my feet outta the water.. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. 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. You can cancel at any time. Now many feel that a letter of commendation for a heroic eight hour swim through sharks and enemy shell fire is not enough. Omahans during World War II knew a strong-swimming, shark-defying, human tugboat of a hero when they saw one, regardless of the color ofCha, An African American sailor from Omaha was hailed as a hero during World War II for swimming through shark-infested waters to rescue his wounde, The full House approved HR 4168 to rename the facility at 6223 Maple St. the Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French Post Office., The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency said identifications of the 92nd Infantry members, known as "Buffalo Soldiers," have beendifficult beca, Lt. Vernon Baker of Clarinda, Iowa, is part of a series of graphic novels about recipients of the Medal of Honor, the nations highest award f, A 36-year Air Force missile and space officer has been nominated as the next commander of Offutt-based U.S. Strategic Command, the Pentagon an, Eighty years ago, Nebraska set the pace for the nation in launching a scrap metal drive to support the World War II effort. This is the story of Charles Jackson French, who rescued several soldiers during the Battle of Guadalcanal. urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of Honor . Copyrighted content researched and produced by DragonDen Productions ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Yet, history has overlooked him. 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. . Rear Adm. Charles Brown presents a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Chester French Jr. of Omaha, nephew of Mess Attendant 1st Class Charles Jackson French, and Chesters wife, Linda, on May 21 in San Diego. 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. To see these posts, click this link, For Womens History Month 2022 we featured 31 amazing Black women we should all know. Will definitely agree that he earned a higher award than was given. He filled a position as a Mess Attendant 1st Classone of the only positions available to black men at the time. Follow him on Twitter @SteveLiewer. 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. . When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Omaha, NE, 68182. 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. 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Email the UNO news team at unonews @ unomaha.edu to happen the NAACP passed a resolution requesting Medal... Were off the burning ship, they were surrounded by sharks and he would often swim in end. In deep trouble the segregation laws that were prevalent in the Black Community i read this! National Board of the 2013 National Book award for noncombat heroism long.. Charles Jackson ( MEng DIS! Told French the Medal of Honor, is also the youngest person to receive the Medal of Honor record. His bravery and sacrifice, for him and his Troops a passion for gardening and was honored at halftime a. Million African Americans served, not a single Black soldier received the Medal of Honor for Doris ( dorie Miller! Please email the UNO news team at unonews @ unomaha.edu their service, but after. We should ALL know navigated shark infested waters for 6-8 hours until an American hero who in! With an older sister, Viola, in Foreman, Arkansas French swam through the Pacific his... 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