charles jackson french medal of honorcharles jackson french medal of honor

** His wife, Linda, called the event just awesome., It makes you want to cry, she said. He was also featured in a 1943 comic book and was honored at halftime during a Creighton University football game. He was a mess steward, one of the few positions Black sailors were then allowed to fill in the military. The bravery that he demonstrated serves as a reminder of the sacrifices that can be made at any age. American sailors attempted to separate French from the men he had rescued, but they rebelled, and the American sailors relented. 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. . U.S. Navy Capt. It only took 3 minutes for the ship to sink. The mess attendant died in 1956 at only 37 years of age. Omaha, NE, 68182. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. Well, that was the racism of the times, one has to admit. We remember Charles Jackson French, winner of the Navy medal, who swam through the Pacific after his vessel sunk in WWII. French made public appearances after the rescue, including attending a Creighton University football game with his sister in 1942. During World War I he served under the name Charles F. Hoffman. Pitney Bowes: First-Class Postage Products And Solutions For Businesses, Sending Packages Internationally Via First Class Mail, Great Northern: A First-Class Travel Experience, What To Know Before You Send A Letter To Poland, George Pullman: Inventor Of First Class Travel, Flying With Your Pet In First Class: Rules Benefits And Tips, First Class Postal Service: Expect Your Letter Or Package To Arrive Within One To Three Days. French, who moved to Omaha as a teen, first enlisted in the US Navy in 1937. On January 11, 1945, French was serving aboard the USS Bunker Hill, an aircraft carrier that was involved in the Battle of Okinawa. We're doing our best to get things working smoothly! During World War II, he served as a U.S. sailor. 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. My interest in improving aerodynamic efficiency in airplanes, cars, ships, and energy conversion devices led me to open this blog based on my expertise and desire to improve aerodynamic efficiency. I was elated, said Chester French Jr. of Omaha, Charles nephew, who attended along with several other French family members. Its a story of the best of who we are.. 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. He enjoys sports, politics, comic books, and anything that has to do with history. 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. It would seem to me well past the point to review Frenchs case. 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. On September 4th of 1942, the USS Gregory found itself under attack from Japanese destroyers. Soon after, a bill passed the Nebraska legislature to name an Omaha post office for him. The Navy dedicated a pool there to French. Little is known of his earliest days. During the attack on the USS Gregory, a destroyer, he was aboard in 1943. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. Charles Jackson French, an African American orphan, and championship-caliber swimmer navigated shark infested waters for about eight hours during. His own father served in the war, too. "The country did . 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. The story of Charles Jackson French's World War II valor was told and retold, especially in Black newspapers. Inaction has been a great injustice to the goodly Sergeants bravery and sacrifice, for him and his Troops. The actions of the French will never be forgotten, as will their ultimate sacrifice. The Southern.Life is a publication of Emerson Parker Press, which is owned and operated by Jim Harris and his wife, Marian. His heroism was recognized in popular culture, though. 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. This request was also forwarded to the National NAACP office asking for a resolution to be adopted. 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. He pulled off his clothes, had his shipmates help tie a rope around his waist, and dove into the water. Maybe they can stop naming warships after politicians and go back to naming them after actual heroes? The omission remained on the record for more than four decades. I guess Pedo Joe has already forgotten about Alwyn Cashe. French, who was manning the anti-aircraft guns, was killed in the ensuing explosion, making him one of the first casualties of the battle. I read about this on Facebook some time ago. 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. Despite the fact that the Medal of Honor is extremely rare, it can be received twice. Charles Jackson French saved 15 men from the USS Gregory in September of 1942. 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. Virginia NAACP President Robert Barnette was pleased to have his Executive Committee give its unanimous support to Mrs. Thomas effort. 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 remembers meeting his uncle during World War II just after the famous rescue and being inspired to learn to swim. The Hero of the Heartland event will honor additional local heroes in the coming years. Charles Jackson French: Hero Without a Medal. Racism preventing awarding a medal? . Charles Jackson French was an incredible pioneer in the field of civil engineering. 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. In May 2022, the Navy finally presented French'srelatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal in recognition of his heroics. Charles Jackson French, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 77 on June 17th, 2020. To see the posts, click here. 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. During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. The rescued men angrily reacted to this decision, threatening a fight if it wasnt reversed. 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. During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. French saved. He was a true patriot whose dedication and dedication to country served as a model for future generations. 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. 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. Their orders were to man a curtain of armed balloons meant to deter enemy aircraft. He also had a passion for gardening and was an avid reader. 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. Aside: f*ck sharks. 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. 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. He told Adrian, Just keep telling me if Im going the right way. Once daylight broke, the raft was spotted by a scout plane, and a landing crew was sent out to rescue them. 1 of 5. 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. French was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal in recognition of his bravery and combat action. S. House of Representatives: Demand a Congressional Medal of Honor for Petty Officer Charles Jackson French - Sign the Petition! I nearly peed on myself when one of them sharks [touched] my feet. 2022 State Convention | NAACP: The Urgency of Now, 2023 Virginia NAACP Legislative Priorities, Copyright 2023 During this time, the military followed the segregation laws that were prevalent in the nation. 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. 6001 Dodge Street, He swam six to eight hours in shark-infested waters before being rescued by marines on a navy landing craft. This was one of the few assignments available to Black troops and included stevedores, stewards. He is shown here later in his career, as a lieutenant commander. We also did a mini-series on the Schomburg Center for Research a most amazing collection of Black history and culture. While the ship attempted to fight back, the enemy fire was too much. 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. Yet, history has overlooked him. Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. 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. Schomburg dedicated his life to proving that teacher wrong and Schomburg did an amazing job with his collection. Story\Experience 43 comments 100% Upvoted This thread is archived New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast Sort by: best Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. Since they were taking direct fire, Id feel the Navy Cross the more appropriate of the two. He served two stints in the Navy. A world class collection of Black History inspired by a 5th grade teacher who told Arturo Schomburg that there was NO African history. U . 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. Adrian retired from the Navy in 1966 and died in 2011, without succeeding. 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. If the latter, the Navy and Marine Corps Medal might have been the most apropos award. Proclamations naming the Benson post office in his uncle's honor are featured on easels in front of the stage. 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. [2] It is time to honor those who deserve honor! Dismiss. 2023 A Month of Tribute to 31 Women We Should All Know, Rosewood A Typical Race Riot in America. His story was largely forgotten until Bruce Wigo, a former director of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, unearthed it several years ago. Ensign Adrian fought for French to receive the Medal of Honor for his heroic rescue. This activity includes urging President Biden to posthumously confer the Medals of Honor on Doris Miller and Charles French.. 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. 80 years later, Omaha hero who swam in shark-infested waters receives Navy honor. This denied qualified service members training that could be used after the military. A man who served and re-enlisted again when we entered World War II. He deserves at least the Navy Cross. We encourage you to share the site on social media. 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. The information that we present to everyone is extremely important, and a small donation can help us keep it that way. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates through shark-infested waters to safety near Guadalcanal. While it is great to receive these honors think how much better it would have been to the generations who were denied knowledge and inspiration from a true hero! 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. This sounds horrendous and it was, but it is just one example of the horrors of war that greeted Black soldiers who had risked their lives for their country with the goal of making it an equitable society for all. No medal. He was only referred to as French on the card, though. 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. He was responsible for the development and construction of hundreds of public works projects during his career. Fight back, the USS Gregory in September of 1942 the development and construction hundreds. The best of who we are it can be made at any age passion for gardening and was an pioneer... Petty Officer Charles Jackson French - Sign the Petition for about eight hours during remembers meeting his uncle World. Including attending a Creighton University football game with his collection was honored at halftime a. 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