UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, spoke at the event, pointing to how his actions can inspire us all to be heroes in our own way. (H.R. Little is known of his earliest days. As one of the survivors, French found himself in the water on a life raft. The University prohibits any form of retaliation taken against anyone for reporting discrimination, harassment, or retaliation for otherwise engaging in protected activity. . The ship sailed on the Pacific Ocean heading towards Guadalcanal. Its a story of the best of who we are.. For Black History Month 2021, we focused on Black Medical Achievements, Inventors and Scientists.To see those posts, click here. Frenchs story was soon told by the War Gum Trading Card Company. He was responsible for the development and construction of hundreds of public works projects during his career. He quickly went to work pulling other sailors aboard with him. Adrian also recommended him for a Navy Cross, the Navys second-highest award for valor, but he received only a letter of commendation. 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. 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. 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. French was an African American serving at a time when prejudice and discrimination were ever-present in our Armed Forces and society, said Capt. We remember Charles Jackson French, winner of the Navy medal, who swam through the Pacific after his vessel sunk in WWII. The actions of the French will never be forgotten, as will their ultimate sacrifice. It is the service's highest award for noncombat heroism . 18 February 2022 SAN DIEGO - The Navy announced plans today to dedicate a rescue swimming training pool at Naval Base San Diego to Mess Attendant First Class Charles Jackson French in honor. Born in a small town in California, Charles was a man of many talents. Perhaps racism played a role in French not receiving proper recognition. 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. https://chng.it/F8y8w5n2 via @Change French was hailed as the hero of the Solomons and the Human Tugboat for his daring rescue of the Pacific during World War II. Itwould ef. After his military service, French developed alcoholism and depression. This was one of the few assignments available to Black troops and included stevedores, stewards. 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. Charles Jackson French saved 15 men from the USS Gregory in September of 1942. He was born in Foreman, Arkansas on September 25, 1919. The gunfire hit two of the ships boilers and the Gregory was set ablaze by the fire. Or even going back to the 90s when a lot of this (blacks finally getting the awards they deserve) started to happen. Virginia NAACP President Robert Barnette was pleased to have his Executive Committee give its unanimous support to Mrs. Thomas effort. 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. That inquiry helped bring about last weeks award ceremony. French successfully brought the men to safety on the shores of the Solomon Islands. 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. 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. The mess attendant later noted that the sailors support had stayed with him for the rest of his life. Chester French, nephew of Charles Jackson French, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. They were spotted and rescued by friendly forces when racism reared its ugly head. When Is The Best Time To Buy First Class Airline Tickets? Benjamin Selph echoed Lis remarks, encouraging those in attendance to take inspiration from Frenchs courageous act. Did Charles Jackson French receive the Medal of Honor? 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. Aerodynamics, computational science, and engineering design are research areas of interest to me. He had first enlisted in the Navy in 1937 [1] and had completed his enlistment, moving to Omaha, Nebraska where he had family. Now many feel that a letter of commendation for a heroic eight hour swim through sharks and enemy shell fire is not enough. 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. charles jackson french swam 6-8 hours in 1942nd a saved 15 of his crewmates and died in 1956. Charles Jackson French is what makes America great. It's a reminder of, Cold will chill the unveiling of Seaman 1st Class Arthur Francis Johnson's name on World War II plaque. Steve is the military affairs reporter for The World-Herald. French was born in Arkansas in 1919, but moved to Omaha as a youth to live with his married older sister, Viola. Join now . 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. Darn guys a stud. French, who was manning the anti-aircraft guns, was killed in the ensuing explosion, making him one of the first casualties of the battle. The server is misbehaving. I [just] froze and tried to surface and float, [get] my feet outta the water.. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to a Black man. S. House of Representatives: Demand a Congressional Medal of Honor for Petty Officer Charles Jackson French - Sign the Petition! Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. We're doing our best to get things working smoothly! A letter of commendation? He was 37 years old when he died on November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California. He certainly earned a much higher award than he was given. Name a warship after this Hero. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). 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. 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. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. I think I would lean toward Medal of Honor just based on what I read here, but Im sure the details would sway me one way or the other. Follow him on Twitter @SteveLiewer. Omaha, NE, 68182. Charles Jackson French, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 77 on June 17th, 2020. The omission remained on the record for more than four decades. I guess Pedo Joe has already forgotten about Alwyn Cashe. Brown noted that, with Frenchs name and photo attached to the Navy pool, his story will be told well into the future. 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This might be the first time I agree with Malcolm Nance. 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. These are the least desired jobs possible and beneath the White troops. 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. 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. It will inspire generations of sailors, he said. 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. Yet, history has overlooked him. He exemplified our core values and faced adversity with unwavering grit and selflessness. Since they were taking direct fire, Id feel the Navy Cross the more appropriate of the two. Yet, history has overlooked him. We also posted a 5 part mini-series on the 100th anniversary of one of the most horrific massacres in the history of America. sliewer@owh.com; twitter.com/Steve Liewer. Aboard a lift raft with several other sailors and drifting towards enemy-held islands, French volunteered to tow the raft himself by swimming. We encourage you to share the site on social media. towing a boat of wounded survivors by himself i.imgur.com/P1mQDe. The mess attended tied a rope around his waist and the boat and began the journey. French made public appearances after the rescue, including attending a Creighton University football game with his sister in 1942. The story of Charles Jackson French is little known and marred by the inevitable racism that permeates our history in America. A 1943 "True Comics" account of the valor of Charles Jackson French after his ship was sunk at Guadalcanal. In San Diego in 2022, French's family was presented with his posthumous Navy and Marine Corps medal. He enjoys sports, politics, comic books, and anything that has to do with history. Charles Jackson French, an African American orphan, and championship-caliber swimmer navigated shark infested waters for about eight hours during. 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. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS He was a mess steward, one of the few positions Black sailors were then allowed to fill in the military. Ensign Robert Adrian was fresh out of the Naval Academy and a junior officer on the Navy destroyer USS Gregory when it was sunk near Guadalcanal on Sept. 5, 1942. 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. Nothing of value. He swam six to eight hours in shark-infested waters before being rescued by marines on a navy landing craft. . French saved. 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. This to the scientific notationed! Miller wasnt the only African-American hero of World War II, though. Inspiring Stories of Black History and Achievement. He received an honorable discharge on November 11, 1941, but re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor. Ensign Adrian fought for French to receive the Medal of Honor for his heroic rescue. The story of Charles Jackson French's valor was told in newspapers, on radio dramas, in comics, on a bubble gum card and on this World War II calendar. Continue for more information on the site and posts that may be of interest. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. French would go on to earn the name "The Human Tugboat" and garner immense respect from his fellow military peers. 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. 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. French served aboard the USS Houston for four years before returning to Omaha. He was a talented carpenter, a skilled handyman, and a master of DIY projects. During this time, the military followed the segregation laws that were prevalent in the nation. 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A self-declared light-skinned woman evasive about her ethnicity, yet steadfast in her love for her 12 Black children. 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. 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. 1 of 5. During World War II Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French swam 68 hours in shark-infested waters near Guadalcanal while towing a life raft with 15 USS Gregory survivors of an attack by the Japanese Imperial Navy. You gotta be kidding me. Charles Jackson French was an American war hero from Foreman, Arkansas. To see the posts, click here. 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. He was a true patriot whose dedication and dedication to country served as a model for future generations. 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. Generations of Sailors will train [at the pool] and never forget the values and legacy of such a brave American hero.. The story of the men who fought and served under trying circumstances. 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. He was particularly noted for his work on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Maryland, a major engineering feat of its time. 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. Growing Up and Early Naval Days. Despite the fact that more than one million African Americans served, not a single Black soldier received the Medal of Honor. French became famous after his commander, Ensign Robert Adrian, told the story on a radio program broadcast across the country. Thomas has also been in communication with other senators and members of Congress asking them to support this effort. The rescued men angrily reacted to this decision, threatening a fight if it wasnt reversed. The waters were shark-infested. We receive a small royalty without cost to you. French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates. And while were at it can we please award Alwyn Cashes family his much deserved MOH.please. 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. 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. After he began swimming, he soon encountered sharks. French stayed in the military until the end of the war, then took a civilian job with the Navy in San Diego. 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. Ted Carlson, commander of Naval Base San Diego, which makes this recognition of Charles (Jackson) Frenchs heroic actions even more significant.. The story of Charles Jackson French's World War II valor was told and retold, especially in Black newspapers. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. A Change.org petition also was started Monday, urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of Honor. Thats a portrait of a hero. Either wouldeasilybe warranted in my opinion. 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. We depend on your support and thank you for it! 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. 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. 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. 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. The Southern.Life is a publication of Emerson Parker Press, which is owned and operated by Jim Harris and his wife, Marian. Racism played a role in French not charles jackson french medal of honor proper recognition start_price } } { { start_price } } { start_price... 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