His story was retold in comic strips and trading cards, and he traveled the country to help sell war bonds before enthusiastic crowds. In 2011, the National Board of the NAACP passed a resolution requesting the Medal Of Honor for Doris (Dorie) Miller. French was the first black swimmer to earn the Navy Medal for his heroism in 1943. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. Generations of Sailors will train [at the pool] and never forget the values and legacy of such a brave American hero.. 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. Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. You can read more about the Virginia NAACPs work and our six Game Changer issue areas by visiting NAACPVA.org. sliewer@owh.com; twitter.com/Steve Liewer. 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. He was a talented carpenter, a skilled handyman, and a master of DIY projects. Her husband, Floyd, has served on the Caroline Board of Supervisors for. 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. charles jackson french swam 6-8 hours in 1942nd a saved 15 of his crewmates and died in 1956. This request was also forwarded to the National NAACP office asking for a resolution to be adopted. Read the full statement. As promising as that sounded, that was the most dangerous place to be for fear that they would be captured and executed. Instead, the Navy only issued a letter of commendation. French was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal in recognition of his bravery and combat action. Little is known of his earliest days. 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. This activity includes urging President Biden to posthumously confer the Medals of Honor on Doris Miller and Charles French.. It would seem to me well past the point to review Frenchs case. 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. Yeah, I know, not with this illegitimate regime in place. But French said he wasnt afraid. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. 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'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 . The award was presented on May 21, 2022, at Naval Base San Diego, at a ceremony in which the bases rescue swimmer training pool was dedicated in his honor. He quickly went to work pulling other sailors aboard with him. A Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates. Navy officials escorted members of Frenchs family to his gravesite at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, on San Diegos Point Loma peninsula. Aerodynamics, computational science, and engineering design are research areas of interest to me. From left are Navy public affairs officer Krishna Jackson, Samuel Harris, Chester French Jr., Michael Harris, Linda French, Christopher Harris, Roscoe Harris, Christopher Harris Jr., Mark Harris and Capt. This post office renaming is important to his family, the community of Omaha, and the state of Nebraska. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. 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. His innovative methods of construction and design, along with his exceptional organizational skills, made him a highly sought-after engineer across the United States. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. 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. He was responsible for the development and construction of hundreds of public works projects during his career. The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. 2022 State Convention | NAACP: The Urgency of Now, 2023 Virginia NAACP Legislative Priorities, Copyright 2023 Your email address will not be published. On January 11, 1945, French was serving aboard the USS Bunker Hill, an aircraft carrier . 1 of 5. Charles Jackson French was a Navy Mess Specialist 1st Class Petty Officer the night the USS Gregory (APD 3) was sunk by Japanese destroyers during the Battle of Guadalcanal. Notably, the letter reduced the hours French spent swimming from six-eight to two. Perhaps it was that he wasnt considered to be in combat. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. Name a warship after this Hero. French stayed in the military until the end of the war, then took a civilian job with the Navy in San Diego. 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. The rescued men angrily reacted to this decision, threatening a fight if it wasnt reversed. 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. During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. Inaction has been a great injustice to the goodly Sergeants bravery and sacrifice, for him and his Troops. 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. It took so long.. For Black History Month 2021, we focused on Black Medical Achievements, Inventors and Scientists.To see those posts, click here. Charles Jackson French, an African American orphan, and championship-caliber swimmer navigated shark infested waters for about eight hours during. 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 towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates through shark-infested waters to safety near Guadalcanal. A 1943 "True Comics" account of the valor of Charles Jackson French after his ship was sunk at Guadalcanal. French became famous after his commander, Ensign Robert Adrian, told the story on a radio program broadcast across the country. 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. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Don Bacon,cleared the House of Representatives in March. 1603) On June 20, 2022, President Biden signed it into law. Its a story of the best of who we are.. [2] Growing Up and Early Naval Days. Brown noted that, with Frenchs name and photo attached to the Navy pool, his story will be told well into the future. The ship sailed on the Pacific Ocean heading towards Guadalcanal. He was a generous and kind soul who was always willing to lend a helping hand. Organizations such as the National Coalition of Black Veteran Organizations have also shown their support. 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. You can use a link to tennis shoes to buy a refrigerator or anything else. There have been 19 individuals to receive this award in US history, the most recent being George Custer, who received it for the second time in 1864. 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. Adrian retired from the Navy in 1966 and died in 2011, without succeeding. There is a campaign requesting a Congressional Medal of Honor is awarded to French. Benjamin Selph shares recognition for Charles Jackson French on behalf of the Navy. Continue for more information on the site and posts that may be of interest. Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French was an American hero who gave his life in service of his country. This ain't Hell, but you can see it from here, Forgotten hero remembered, may finally receive medal for heroism, Cops arent going to do anything to me, then hits flight attendant, South Dakota AGs Army Reserve promotion being held up after fatal car accident, Air Force deploys Giant Military Cats to defeat Chinese balloons, Shaking HMMWV hits 88 mph, travels through time, Air Force shoots down military spouse after mistaking it for spy balloon, Sailors belong at sea, says man who hates his family, Virtual drug test: Airmen can now pee in cups on video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMyq0lLdh2E, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZrE_jwef-E, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYu7dxp585A&t, VA hospitals facing police staffing shortages, Reparations panel: 5 million per qualified Black Individual, US Air Force to reverse adverse actions related to COVID-19 vaccine exemption request, No approaching any more or you will pay full responsibility. 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. 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. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. The story of Charles Jackson French is little known and marred by the inevitable racism that permeates our history in America. German prisoners of war were allowed to ride with White soldiers while the Black fighters were relegated to open, drafty, smelly cattle cars.