Read the full statement. A man willing to fight in defense of his country. Ensign Robert Adrian realized that the currents were pulling the lifeboat back towards a Japanese-held island. The nation's hierarchy denied French the Medal of Honor and did not consider him for a Silver Star, two of the highest honors bestowed for such self-sacrificing bravery. Their orders were to man a curtain of armed balloons meant to deter enemy aircraft. 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. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it. French received no medal, only a letter of commendation. It seems a travesty that he never received a medal after such a courageous single-handed act of bravery saving 15 men. 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. The bravery that he demonstrated serves as a reminder of the sacrifices that can be made at any age. The information that we present to everyone is extremely important, and a small donation can help us keep it that way. Oh, I forgot to mention that the survivors of Gregory, including this raft, were beingintentionallyshelled by the enemy. This is the story of the Stewards, Cooks and Messboys who manned that branch of naval service. Charles Jackson French saved 15 men from the USS Gregory in September of 1942. His heroism was recognized in popular culture, though. Benjamin Selph shares recognition for Charles Jackson French on behalf of the Navy. Despite the fact that more than one million African Americans served, not a single Black soldier received the Medal of Honor. This request was also forwarded to the National NAACP office asking for a resolution to be adopted. sliewer@owh.com; twitter.com/Steve Liewer. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. He disrobed and with assistance tied the tow rope around his waist and swam what is estimated to be six to eight hours. Organizations such as the National Coalition of Black Veteran Organizations have also shown their support. We remember Charles Jackson French, winner of the Navy medal, who swam through the Pacific after his vessel sunk in WWII. 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 night that propelled Charles Jackson French into the role of hero was September 5, 1942, when enemy bombs sank the U.S.S. The Arkansas native had moved to Omaha to live with his sister as a youth after his parents died, and he became one of the most famous Black war heroes of the 1940s. Little is known of his earliest days. During this time, the military followed the segregation laws that were prevalent in the nation. The mess attendant rescued his fellow crew members in 1942, after their ship was sunk in the Solomon Islands. To see these posts, click this link, For Womens History Month 2022 we featured 31 amazing Black women we should all know. You can cancel at any time. Charles Jackson French was discharged from the Navy on Nov. 13, 1941, but reenlisted a month later after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He was particularly noted for his work on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Maryland, a major engineering feat of its time. Japanese destroyers sank the ship he was on, the USS Gregory, in the South Pacific in September 1942. 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. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. 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. 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. As a result, he is an inspiring example of the bravery and commitment of our youth. Custer is the first soldier in US history to receive the militarys highest honor twice, as well as the first to do so twice. He was celebrated in the Black press and was even the subject of a syndicated comic strip. Charles Jackson French: Hero Without a Medal. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. Notably, the letter reduced the hours French spent swimming from six-eight to two. 6001 Dodge Street, The Color of Water: A Black Mans Tribute to His White Mother. The actions of the French will never be forgotten, as will their ultimate sacrifice. 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. But French said he wasnt afraid. 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. 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 pool used to train rescue swimmers at Naval Base San Diego also was named in Frenchs honor at the ceremony. He was a talented carpenter, a skilled handyman, and a master of DIY projects. He also had a passion for gardening and was an avid reader. Perhaps it was that he wasnt considered to be in combat. "The country did . He was a mess steward, one of the few positions Black sailors were then allowed to fill in the military. Who is Ruth McBride Jordan? Virginia State Conference NAACP, Doris (Dorie) Miller, is a Black veteran, who demonstrated such dedication to his duty on December 7, 1941, when his ship was attacked in Pearl Harbor, Doris Miller showed little regard for his safety when he dragged his wounded captain and several shipmates to safety before manning an anti-aircraft gun that he had never been trained to use, and brought down several Japanese planes, but was not recommended for the Medal of Honor. In cases where you shop at Amazon for example you are encouraged to use our links anytime you shop there. This was one of the few assignments available to Black troops and included stevedores, stewards. It is time to honor those who deserve honor! There is a campaign requesting a Congressional Medal of Honor is awarded to French. 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. 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. French was a swimmer who performed a. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. For Black History Month 2021, we focused on Black Medical Achievements, Inventors and Scientists.To see those posts, click here. During World War I he served under the name Charles F. Hoffman. A world class collection of Black History inspired by a 5th grade teacher who told Arturo Schomburg that there was NO African history. This is his jaw-dropping story. 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. It is the service's highest award for noncombat heroism . Ted Carlson, commander of Naval Base San Diego. . Yet, history has overlooked him. Charles Jackson French was an American war hero from Foreman, Arkansas. The Navy dedicated a pool there to French. There was no escape from racism despite putting your life on the line for your country. You gotta be kidding me. All DragonDen media is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. towing a boat of wounded survivors by himself i.imgur.com/P1mQDe. Use our links to Amazon anytime you shop Amazon. 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. 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. This meant that if there were family members they had to live in ghettos like the general public. Inspiring Stories of Black History and Achievement. His own father served in the war, too. French saved. In March of 1942, French was assigned to the USS Gregory (APD-3). Charles French was born on September 25, 1919, in Foreman, Arkansas. The mess attended tied a rope around his waist and the boat and began the journey. The Omaha World-Herald reported that Frenchs story was brought back to prominence through a social media post by the International Swimming Hall of Fame. 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. He deserves a higher award, and a destroyer named in his honor. American sailors attempted to separate French from the men he had rescued, but they rebelled, and the American sailors relented. 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's a reminder of, Cold will chill the unveiling of Seaman 1st Class Arthur Francis Johnson's name on World War II plaque. 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. 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. The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) launched a new series to recognize the courage and heroic deeds of the heroes who call the Omaha area home. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presents a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Chester French Jr. of Omaha, nephew of Mess Attendant 1st Class Charles Jackson French, and Chesters wife, Linda, on May 21 in San Diego. . {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Submit a Public Notice for Omaha World-Herald, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Dirk Chatelain: Driven by the story, mine at The World-Herald has come to an end (for now at least), Time to move? Calls to recognize black WWII hero shed light on feat of heroism, Omaha-native Charles Jackson French is credited with saving his entire crew while serving in the U.S. Navy. 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. 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