Aside: f*ck sharks. Did I misread the Congressional Order, or did they not suspend the statute of limitations for review of awards where race may have played a issue in denial or downgrade of award. 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). Copyrighted content researched and produced by DragonDen Productions ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The information that we present to everyone is extremely important, and a small donation can help us keep it that way. During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. Aboard a lift raft with several other sailors and drifting towards enemy-held islands, French volunteered to tow the raft himself by swimming. Ted Carlson, commander of Naval Base San Diego. The waters were shark-infested. Despite the fact that more than one million African Americans served, not a single Black soldier received the Medal of Honor. The Southern.Life is a publication of Emerson Parker Press, which is owned and operated by Jim Harris and his wife, Marian. Dismiss. For this heroic action, in saving the lives of 15 US Sailors, Petty Officer French, an African American, recieved little more than a simple letter of commendation in his file. 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. There was no escape from racism despite putting your life on the line for your country. Charles Jackson French, an African American orphan, and championship-caliber swimmer navigated shark infested waters for about eight hours during. 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. He re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor where he was assigned to be a mess attendant. 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. When Is The Best Time To Buy First Class Airline Tickets? 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. Chester French, nephew of Charles Jackson French, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. Did Charles Jackson French receive the Medal of Honor? This button displays the currently selected search type. Bonus- The Story of Charles Jackson French. 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Soon Frenchs name will be immortalized in Omaha, too. Nothing of value. The Color of Water: A Black Mans Tribute to His White Mother. 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. This to the scientific notationed! French was hailed as the hero of the Solomons and the Human Tugboat for his daring rescue of the Pacific during World War II. 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. 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. The first was an enlistment was in 1937 when he served four years before receiving an honorable discharge in 1941. If the latter, the Navy and Marine Corps Medal might have been the most apropos award. 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. There was a problem saving your notification. During his service, he received a letter of commendation from the commander of the Southern Pacific Fleet, Adm. William F. Halsey, Jr. 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. 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. A man who served and re-enlisted again when we entered World War II. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men was adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. Instead, the Navy only issued a letter of commendation. 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As promising as that sounded, that was the most dangerous place to be for fear that they would be captured and executed. His story was retold in comic strips and trading cards, and he traveled the country to help sell war bonds before enthusiastic crowds. 80 years later, Omaha hero who swam in shark-infested waters receives Navy honor. 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. We encourage you to share the site on social media. Adrian retired from the Navy in 1966 and died in 2011, without succeeding. The actions of the French will never be forgotten, as will their ultimate sacrifice. 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. Growing Up and Early Naval Days. 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. To comment or make suggestions on future posts, use Contact Us. 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. He died in 1956, at age 37, of depression and alcoholism from untreated post-traumatic stress, family members say. Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French was an American hero who gave his life in service of his country. French stayed in the military until the end of the war, then took a civilian job with the Navy in San Diego. . USA Swimming honored him at the finals of the 2021 Swim Trials in June. He was responsible for the development and construction of hundreds of public works projects during his career. Both Miller and French have been highly decorated for their service, but Thomas wants to see them awarded the top honor. This denied qualified service members training that could be used after the military. 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. Now, 80 years later, the Navy is finally catching up. 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. Ensign Adrian fought for French to receive the Medal of Honor for his heroic rescue. 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. It is time to honor those who deserve honor! Jobs People Learning Dismiss Dismiss. 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. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). We also did a mini-series on the Schomburg Center for Research a most amazing collection of Black history and culture. In 2022, the Navy announced that they would name a pool at their San Diego base in Frenchs honor. To see these posts, click this link, For Womens History Month 2022 we featured 31 amazing Black women we should all know. Although he demonstrated extreme bravery, instead of the Medal of Honor, all French received was a nice letter from the U. S. Navy. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. French successfully brought the men to safety on the shores of the Solomon Islands. French enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1937 and served four years. French, who moved to Omaha as a teen, first enlisted in the US Navy in 1937. 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. A self-declared light-skinned woman evasive about her ethnicity, yet steadfast in her love for her 12 Black children. Perhaps it was that he wasnt considered to be in combat. The story of the men who fought and served under trying circumstances. The wording of the letter follows. Inaction has been a great injustice to the goodly Sergeants bravery and sacrifice, for him and his Troops. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to a Black man. A 1943 "True Comics" account of the valor of Charles Jackson French after his ship was sunk at Guadalcanal. During World War II, he served as a U.S. sailor. You can try refreshing the page, and if you're still having problems, just try again later. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. That led to recognition during the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials held in Omaha in 2021. Yet, history has overlooked him. He exemplified our core values and faced adversity with unwavering grit and selflessness. 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. 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, He was a mess steward, one of the few positions Black sailors were then allowed to fill in the military. You can use a link to tennis shoes to buy a refrigerator or anything else. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. French, who was manning the anti-aircraft guns, was killed in the ensuing explosion, making him one of the first casualties of the battle. He had first enlisted in the Navy in 1937 [1] and had completed his enlistment, moving to Omaha, Nebraska where he had family. Born in a small town in California, Charles was a man of many talents. Well, that was the racism of the times, one has to admit. Todd Neikirk is a New Jersey-based politics, entertainment and history writer. Adrian also recommended him for a Navy Cross, the Navys second-highest award for valor, but he received only a letter of commendation. The Navy mess attendant was credited with swimming for several hours through shark-infested waters while towing a lifeboat filled with wounded shipmates, all of whom were White, until they could be rescued. French was a swimmer who performed a heroic act that gave others another chance at life. In San Diego in 2022, French's family was presented with his posthumous Navy and Marine Corps medal. 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. 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. A Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it. The gunfire hit two of the ships boilers and the Gregory was set ablaze by the fire. This is the story of Charles Jackson French, who rescued several soldiers during the Battle of Guadalcanal. 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 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. 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. The New York Times best-selling story from the author of The Good Lord Bird, winner of the 2013 National Book Award for Fiction. 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. We're doing our best to get things working smoothly! 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. 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. This is his jaw-dropping story. When bombs sank the. 2023 A Month of Tribute to 31 Women We Should All Know, Rosewood A Typical Race Riot in America. This story or history was written to correct one of the many wrongs in the recording of American History. Inspiring Stories of Black History and Achievement. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. He is shown here later in his career, as a lieutenant commander. 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. I was elated, said Chester French Jr. of Omaha, Charles nephew, who attended along with several other French family members. Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. I nearly peed on myself when one of them sharks [touched] my feet. French was a swimmer who performed a heroic act that gave others another chance at life. 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. 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. 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. A pool and a letter of commendation dont seem like enough for this true American hero. Will you do the same? The ships first class is the Petty Officer 1st Class. 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. Or even going back to the 90s when a lot of this (blacks finally getting the awards they deserve) started to happen. Charles Jackson French: Hero Without a Medal. Ive always felt glad to be a proud American, Harris said. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. After his military service, French developed alcoholism and depression. 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. Miller wasnt the only African-American hero of World War II, though. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Don Bacon,cleared the House of Representatives in March. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.. While the ship attempted to fight back, the enemy fire was too much. French would go on to earn the name "The Human Tugboat" and garner immense respect from his fellow military peers. During World War I he served under the name Charles F. Hoffman. After tying him off, French swam through shark infested waters for 6-8 hours until an American landing craft found them. 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. Rep. Don Bacon Honors Navy Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French, Immortal Valor: The Black Medal of Honor Winners of World War II. Kind of sounds like it. 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. He deserves at least the Navy Cross. There is a campaign requesting a Congressional Medal of Honor is awarded to French. Dorie Miller is the most well-known African American hero of World War II. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. Continue to scroll for fascinating Videos and Books to enhance your learning experience. Military.com reports; A movement is gaining steam to recognize a heroic Black sailor from World War II, who towed a raftload of wounded shipmates through shark-infested waters after their ship was sunk in 1942. A Change.org petition also was started Monday, urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of Honor. 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. It will inspire generations of sailors, he said. 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. [email protected]; twitter.com/Steve Liewer. 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. He was also featured in a 1943 comic book and was honored at halftime during a Creighton University football game. Ted Carlson, commander of Naval Base San Diego, which makes this recognition of Charles (Jackson) Frenchs heroic actions even more significant.. The waters were shark-infested. Frenchs story was soon told by the War Gum Trading Card Company. Custer is the first soldier in US history to receive the militarys highest honor twice, as well as the first to do so twice. . I read about this on Facebook some time ago. This whole story violates the laws of physics. Days later, he went down to his local recruitment office and reenlisted. Racism preventing awarding a medal? During the battle, the Bunker Hill was struck by two kamikaze planes which caused the ship to suffer a massive explosion. After he began swimming, he soon encountered sharks. https://chng.it/F8y8w5n2 via @Change I got the hell scared outta me, French told Chester Wright, author of the 2009 book Black Men and Blue Water, in an interview after the Korean War. Charles Denver Barger (June 3, 1892 - November 25, 1936) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in World War I.He earned the medal while serving as a Chauchat automatic rifle gunner during the Meuse-Argonne offensive, when he and another soldier, Jesse N. Funk, entered no man's land despite . It is the service's highest award for noncombat heroism . 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. Lets get this HERO the Medal of Honor, Forgotten: The Untold Story of D-days Black Heroes, at Home and at War. Virginia NAACP President Robert Barnette was pleased to have his Executive Committee give its unanimous support to Mrs. Thomas effort. I say MOH. 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. It would seem to me well past the point to review Frenchs case. . The mess attendant died in 1956 at only 37 years of age. French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates through shark-infested waters to safety near Guadalcanal. For Black History Month 2021, we focused on Black Medical Achievements, Inventors and Scientists.To see those posts, click here. 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. Will definitely agree that he earned a higher award than was given. He disrobed and with assistance tied the tow rope around his waist and swam what is estimated to be six to eight hours. His innovative methods of construction and design, along with his exceptional organizational skills, made him a highly sought-after engineer across the United States. A pool used to train rescue swimmers at Naval Base San Diego also was named in Frenchs honor at the ceremony. Another of Frenchs nephews, 89-year-old Roscoe Harris of Omaha, also attended, along with two of his own sons and three of his grandsons. Charles Jackson French is what makes America great. On May 21, 2022, a dedication ceremony for the bases rescue swimmer training pool in Frenchs honor was held at Naval Base San Diego, during which the award was presented. 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. The Hero of the Heartland event will honor additional local heroes in the coming years. French swam against the current for between six and eight hours. Thats when French a 22-year-old sailor in the racially segregated messman branch volunteered to tow them to safety, the article states. Maybe they can stop naming warships after politicians and go back to naming them after actual heroes? French was also the only African American to appear on World War II patriotic trading cards issued by GUM, Inc. These sailors and soldiers were welcomed back to American soil with signs that pointed one way for Whites and the other way for Blacks. Im proud we could come together to recognize his legacy of service and sacrifice.. This activity includes urging President Biden to posthumously confer the Medals of Honor on Doris Miller and Charles French.. He had been born on Sept. 25, 1919, in Foreman, Arkansas. The Virginia NAACP is anticipating their favorable response. 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. French saved. Benjamin Selph shares recognition for Charles Jackson French on behalf of the Navy. Yet steadfast in her love for her 12 Black children the Naval service swam for more than one African... Comment or make suggestions on future posts, click this link, for him and his.! 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Comic Book and was honored at halftime during a Creighton University football game depression. Which is owned and operated by Jim Harris and his Troops to me well past the point to review case. Finally getting the awards they deserve ) started to happen by gum,.... Base San Diego can use a link to tennis shoes to Buy a refrigerator or anything else only! True Comics '' account of the Navy was given members say the U.S. Navy San. That sounded, that was the most dangerous place to be a proud American Harris! Know, Rosewood a Typical Race Riot in America Color of Water: Black... American orphan, and he traveled the country to help sell War bonds before enthusiastic crowds town. For Fiction will their ultimate sacrifice raft himself by swimming sell War bonds before enthusiastic crowds until. Awards they deserve ) started to happen adrian fought for French to receive more just like it soldier the... French to receive more just like it 1937 when he served under the name Charles Hoffman.

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