He was awarded both the Army and Navy Medal of Honor, the French Mdaille militaire and Croix de Guerre as well as decorations from Italy, Montenegro and Portugal. The ensign told French the plan was crazy, that they were surrounded by sharks and he would only get himself killed. 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. As a result, he is an inspiring example of the bravery and commitment of our youth. Dismiss. 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. Keith Station, deputy chief of staff for diversity, equity, & inclusion for the City of Omaha, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. This to the scientific notationed! 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. 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. Please subscribe to keep reading. All DragonDen media is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. The waters were shark-infested. Organizations such as the National Coalition of Black Veteran Organizations have also shown their support. www.epmcknight.wixsite.epfitspiration Follow me: Tiktok, imdb.me/epmcknight. 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. In cases where you shop at Amazon for example you are encouraged to use our links anytime you shop there. 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. [2] 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. Teachers are pumped. 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. There was a problem saving your notification. 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. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. French would go on to earn the name "The Human Tugboat" and garner immense respect from his fellow military peers. The living quarters were strictly segregated as was housing for family members. To see the posts, click here. The first was an enlistment was in 1937 when he served four years before receiving an honorable discharge in 1941. UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, speaks to the bravery and courage of Charles Jackson French at the Hero of the Heartland event. Schomburg dedicated his life to proving that teacher wrong and Schomburg did an amazing job with his collection. Either wouldeasilybe warranted in my opinion. Inspiring Stories of Black History and Achievement. . 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. In May 2022, the Navy finally presented French'srelatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal in recognition of his heroics. 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. Eric Ewing, executive director of the Great Plains Black History Museum, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. Sergeant Major Ernest August Janson (August 17, 1878 - May 14, 1930) was a United States Marine who was highly decorated for his heroic actions in World War I. 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. Still, a letter of commendation is completely inadequate for what French did and I dont buy that this cant be considered combat. 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. French was honored at the U.S. Olympic swim trials in 2021. I like TOWs suggestion too. The injustices of 1940s Jim Crow America are brought to life in this extraordinary blend of military and social history, an account that pays tribute to the valor of an all-black battalion whose crucial contributions at D-day have gone unrecognized to this day. This button displays the currently selected search type. In the end, there were fifteen additional sailors on the raft with the mess attendant. I [just] froze and tried to surface and float, [get] my feet outta the water.. 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. Thats when French a 22-year-old sailor in the racially segregated messman branch volunteered to tow them to safety, the article states. But French said he wasnt afraid. 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. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. Despite the fact that more than one million African Americans served, not a single Black soldier received the Medal of Honor. French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates through shark-infested waters to safety near Guadalcanal. A man who served and re-enlisted again when we entered World War II. 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. 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. He was 37 years old when he died on November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California. You can try refreshing the page, and if you're still having problems, just try again later. During World War II, he served as a U.S. sailor. Although he demonstrated extreme bravery, instead of the Medal of Honor, all French received was a nice letter from the U. S. Navy. For generations, those of us native to the South have taken great pride in our heritage, our traditions, and in the telling of our stories. 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. Interspersed in these are items from partners with Amazing Black History that allow you to support our work without cost to you as we are paid a small royalty by the partner. Jobs People Learning Dismiss Dismiss. 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. More at the source. Charles Jackson French saved the lives 15 Sailorsall of them whiteby pulling them on a raft behind him as he swam for hours through shark-infested waters. Since they were taking direct fire, Id feel the Navy Cross the more appropriate of the two. 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 Hero of the Heartland event will honor additional local heroes in the coming years. He was also featured in a 1943 comic book and was honored at halftime during a Creighton University football game. 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. Charles Jackson French saved 15 men from the USS Gregory in September of 1942. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. Phone: 402-444-1186. We encourage you to share the site on social media. Perhaps it was that he wasnt considered to be in combat. Perhaps racism played a role in French not receiving proper recognition. You can cancel at any time. He was a true patriot whose dedication and dedication to country served as a model for future generations. If they floated ashore, an ensign on the raft later said, they would be taken as prisoners of war, according to an article on the International Swimming Hall of Fames website. To see these posts, click this link, For Womens History Month 2022 we featured 31 amazing Black women we should all know. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men was adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. This whole story violates the laws of physics. These posts focus on the reality of Black life in America after the Civil War culminating in the landmark Brown v Board of Education that changed so many of the earlier practices. 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. Despite the fact that he did not receive the Congressional Medal of Honor, French was awarded the second highest honor, just below the Congressional Medal of Honor, which had been given to Doris Miller. His heroism was recognized in popular culture, though. I nearly peed on myself when one of them sharks [touched] my feet. GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS 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. This was one of the few assignments available to Black troops and included stevedores, stewards. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. French saved. If the latter, the Navy and Marine Corps Medal might have been the most apropos award. Former Virginia State Conference (Virginia NAACP) President Linda Thomas put forth a resolution for two Black Veterans who should be awarded the Medal of Honor for their committed acts of extreme valor and heroism but were denied consideration solely because of their race. Roughly 15 survivors of the Gregory, some injured, were gathered in a life raft. He disrobed and with assistance tied the tow rope around his waist and swam what is estimated to be six to eight hours. I was elated, said Chester French Jr. of Omaha, Charles nephew, who attended along with several other French family members. Linda Thomas of Bowling Green, Virginia, wants President Joe Biden to award the Medal of Honor to Black World War II Navy heroes Doris Miller and Charles Jackson French. 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. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of French's relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. 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. Charles Jackson French's draft registration card. This activity includes urging President Biden to posthumously confer the Medals of Honor on Doris Miller and Charles French.. During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. 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. It read: 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. The story of men who served their country when to do so was to endure, or to appear to accept the humiliating admission of ones own inferiority. In addition to newspaper and radio accounts, his story was told in bubble gum cards, comic strips, a calendar, even a verse by a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet. Itwould ef. French was born in Arkansas in 1919, but moved to Omaha as a youth to live with his married older sister, Viola. You can read more about the Virginia NAACPs work and our six Game Changer issue areas by visiting NAACPVA.org. Charles Jackson French was an incredible pioneer in the field of civil engineering. 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 . Yet, history has overlooked him. Kudos to the man that stepped up and saved himself and others from the awful fate of becoming Jap POWs. It is time to honor those who deserve honor! Inaction has been a great injustice to the goodly Sergeants bravery and sacrifice, for him and his Troops. French, a Black man from Foreman, Arkansas, worked as a mess attendant on a destroyer transport ship named the USS Gregory, according to a 1943 Associated Press article. According to the U.S. Navy Press Office, French had moved to Omaha from Arkansas, but re-enlisted in the Navy days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Adrian retired from the Navy in 1966 and died in 2011, without succeeding. German prisoners of war were allowed to ride with White soldiers while the Black fighters were relegated to open, drafty, smelly cattle cars. After the death of his parents, he lived with an older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. 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 a swimmer who performed a. This is the story of Charles Jackson French, who rescued several soldiers during the Battle of Guadalcanal. For Black History Month 2022 we focused on Health and Wellness in the Black Community. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Don Bacon,cleared the House of Representatives in March. Miller wasnt the only African-American hero of World War II, though. French was a swimmer who performed a. 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. Continue to scroll for fascinating Videos and Books to enhance your learning experience. When bombs sank the. In March of 1942, French was assigned to the USS Gregory (APD-3). If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it. (H.R. This is the story of the Stewards, Cooks and Messboys who manned that branch of naval service. That led to recognition during the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials held in Omaha in 2021. 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. While the ship attempted to fight back, the enemy fire was too much. Well, that was the racism of the times, one has to admit. Charles Jackson French is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California. The bravery that he demonstrated serves as a reminder of the sacrifices that can be made at any age. 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. French received no medal, only a letter of commendation. Brown noted that, with Frenchs name and photo attached to the Navy pool, his story will be told well into the future. 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. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. While the sailors in the life raft were off the burning ship, they were still in deep trouble. Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French was an American hero who gave his life in service of his country. Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French was an American hero who gave his life in service of his country. French served aboard the USS Houston for four years before returning to Omaha. This blog was created to share a passion for all things Southern. A letter of commendation? He was responsible for the development and construction of hundreds of public works projects during his career. urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of Honor . . 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. Thems the devils fish. 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. 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. Aside: f*ck sharks. 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