He was also featured in a 1943 comic book and was honored at halftime during a Creighton University football game. 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. 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. I [just] froze and tried to surface and float, [get] my feet outta the water.. The Hero of the Heartland event will honor additional local heroes in the coming years. In San Diego in 2022, French's family was presented with his posthumous Navy and Marine Corps medal. I like TOWs suggestion too. 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). 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. Weeks later, he told the story of a heroic mess attendant named "French" who towed a raft full of about 15 wounded sailors including Adrian all night through shark-filled waters until they were rescued. The gunfire hit two of the ships boilers and the Gregory was set ablaze by the fire. Little is known of his earliest days. Messman Charles French became a hero to his shipmates after their destroyer USS Gregory (DD-82) was sunk by Imperial Japanese Navy ships on 5 September 1942. 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. Nothing of value. 1603) On June 20, 2022, President Biden signed it into law. It is not necessary to purchase the item in the link. A Change.org petition also was started Monday, urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of Honor. 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. He served two stints in the Navy. 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. Charles Jackson French died in 1956 and is buried in Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California. 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. It will inspire generations of sailors, he said. This to the scientific notationed! The International Swimming Hall of Fame had this painting created of French, one of the most famous Black heroes of World War II. 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. He deserves at least the Navy Cross. Yeah, I know, not with this illegitimate regime in place. Custer is the first soldier in US history to receive the militarys highest honor twice, as well as the first to do so twice. We're doing our best to get things working smoothly! He also had a passion for gardening and was an avid reader. Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French was an American hero who gave his life in service of his country. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Steve is the military affairs reporter for The World-Herald. This is the story of Charles Jackson French, who rescued several soldiers during the Battle of 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. 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 VSC NAACP is in full support of Thomass campaign. The Color of Water: A Black Mans Tribute to His White Mother. French was a swimmer who performed a heroic act that gave others another chance at life. There was no escape from racism despite putting your life on the line for your country. 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. 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. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to a Black man. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. 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. While the sailors in the life raft were off the burning ship, they were still in deep trouble. During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. ** UNOs Hero of the Heartland event continued the long overdue recognition of Frenchs heroism. It seems a travesty that he never received a medal after such a courageous single-handed act of bravery saving 15 men. On November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California, Charles Jackson French, 37 at the time, died. Kind of sounds like it. 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. Required fields are marked *. These are the least desired jobs possible and beneath the White troops. Omaha hailed hometown hero Charles Jackson French back in 1942, when the African American mess steward saved the lives of his shipmates after their destroyer was sunk in the World War II battle of the Solomon Islands. During World War I he served under the name Charles F. Hoffman. "The country did . 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. To comment or make suggestions on future posts, use Contact Us. 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. Brown noted that, with Frenchs name and photo attached to the Navy pool, his story will be told well into the future. Within days, French, 22, reenlisted. We remember Charles Jackson French, winner of the Navy medal, who swam through the Pacific after his vessel sunk in WWII. Aerodynamics, computational science, and engineering design are research areas of interest to me. Todd Neikirk is a New Jersey-based politics, entertainment and history writer. 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. 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. French made public appearances after the rescue, including attending a Creighton University football game with his sister in 1942. There is a campaign requesting a Congressional Medal of Honor is awarded to French. The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. 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. This activity includes urging President Biden to posthumously confer the Medals of Honor on Doris Miller and Charles French.. Itwould ef. As one of the survivors, French found himself in the water on a life raft. French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates. Schomburg dedicated his life to proving that teacher wrong and Schomburg did an amazing job with his collection. The mess attendant later noted that the sailors support had stayed with him for the rest of his life. If you have a story idea, news tip, or other question, please email the UNO News team at unonews@unomaha.edu. There are some that estimated the time at two hours but in any case, it was a tremendous physical act of courage, keeping in mind that the enemy was still searching for them with the intent of killing them. 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. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.. A pool used to train rescue swimmers at Naval Base San Diego also was named in Frenchs honor at the ceremony. 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. He was recognized locally in September 2022 with the renaming of a Benson post office in his honor. Charles Jackson French is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California. 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. 80 years later, Omaha hero who swam in shark-infested waters receives Navy honor. Correction: This story has been corrected to state that the bill passed by the Senate was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Don Bacon. I guess Pedo Joe has already forgotten about Alwyn Cashe. 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