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. The actions of the French will never be forgotten, as will their ultimate sacrifice. 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. The mess attendant died in 1956 at only 37 years of age. French stayed in the military until the end of the war, then took a civilian job with the Navy in San Diego. . 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. French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates through shark-infested waters to safety near Guadalcanal. Thems the devils fish. 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. A self-declared light-skinned woman evasive about her ethnicity, yet steadfast in her love for her 12 Black children. Continue to scroll for fascinating Videos and Books to enhance your learning experience. His bravery and selfless devotion to duty will always be remembered and serve as an example to all who serve in the United States military. Lets get this HERO the Medal of Honor, Forgotten: The Untold Story of D-days Black Heroes, at Home and at War. This cartoon by Black artist Charles Alston for the U.S. Office of War Information celebrates the wartime valor of Charles Jackson French and two other Black sailors, Doris "Dorrie" Miller and Ervin Bell. Kudos to the man that stepped up and saved himself and others from the awful fate of becoming Jap POWs. 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. This denied qualified service members training that could be used after the military. The Virginia NAACP is focused on being the preeminent voice of Black Virginians and advocating for policies and programs to benefit Blacks and people of color. Benjamin Selph echoed Lis remarks, encouraging those in attendance to take inspiration from Frenchs courageous act. The event, held Feb. 9, 2023 in UNOs Milo Bail Student Center, honored Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French for his tremendous bravery and efforts in World War II. During World War II Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French swam 68 hours in shark-infested waters near Guadalcanal while towing a life raft with 15 USS Gregory survivors of an attack by the Japanese Imperial Navy. The story of Frenchs bravery was celebrated at the time but then largely forgotten for decades. All DragonDen media is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. 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. On September 5, 1942, U.S. Navy Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French navigated through shark-infested waters with a rope around his waist, towing 15 wounded sailors to safety from. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. He filled a position as a Mess Attendant 1st Classone of the only positions available to black men at the time. After tying him off, French swam through shark infested waters for 6-8 hours until an American landing craft found them. French swam against the current for between six and eight hours. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. But French said he wasnt afraid. Charles Jackson French was discharged from the Navy on Nov. 13, 1941, but reenlisted a month later after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. It only took 3 minutes for the ship to sink. The International Swimming Hall of Fame had this painting created of French, one of the most famous Black heroes of World War II. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. When bombs sank the. French was an African American serving at a time when prejudice and discrimination were ever-present in our Armed Forces and society, said Capt. Darn guys a stud. American sailors attempted to separate French from the men he had rescued, but they rebelled, and the American sailors relented. 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). 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. Keith Station, deputy chief of staff for diversity, equity, & inclusion for the City of Omaha, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of Honor . The mess attended tied a rope around his waist and the boat and began the journey. In May 2022, the Navy finally presented French'srelatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal in recognition of his heroics. The ships first class is the Petty Officer 1st Class. We see many examples of prisoners of war being treated with greater dignity than soldiers wearing American uniforms after suffering injuries, physical, emotional, mental, and even watched death. Its a story of the best of who we are.. It will inspire generations of sailors, he said. The bravery that he demonstrated serves as a reminder of the sacrifices that can be made at any age. These sailors and soldiers were welcomed back to American soil with signs that pointed one way for Whites and the other way for Blacks. We also posted a 5 part mini-series on the 100th anniversary of one of the most horrific massacres in the history of America. 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. He had first enlisted in the Navy in 1937 [1] and had completed his enlistment, moving to Omaha, Nebraska where he had family. 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. The ultimate insult! S. House of Representatives: Demand a Congressional Medal of Honor for Petty Officer Charles Jackson French - Sign the Petition! Eric Ewing, executive director of the Great Plains Black History Museum, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. For Black History Month 2021, we focused on Black Medical Achievements, Inventors and Scientists.To see those posts, click here. Charles Jackson French was an American war hero from Foreman, Arkansas. The event was held as part of events hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs in observance of Black History Month. But after his parents died, he moved to. 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. Charles Jackson (MEng, DIS, MINCOSE) Expand search. Charles Denver Barger (June 3, 1892 - November 25, 1936) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in World War I.He earned the medal while serving as a Chauchat automatic rifle gunner during the Meuse-Argonne offensive, when he and another soldier, Jesse N. Funk, entered no man's land despite . This activity includes urging President Biden to posthumously confer the Medals of Honor on Doris Miller and Charles French.. 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. . The New York Times best-selling story from the author of The Good Lord Bird, winner of the 2013 National Book Award for Fiction. He was 37 years old when he died on November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California. To see the posts, click here. Apparently part of the reason that he did not receive an award was that the Navy was reluctant to give him a medal equal or higher to what his ships commander received, and he was killed in the action. Ensign Robert Adrian realized that the currents were pulling the lifeboat back towards a Japanese-held island. His family was presented with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal, and a swimming pool used for training at the Naval Base San Diego was dedicated in his honor in May 2022. The inaugural Hero of the Heartland event, hosted by UNOs Office of Multicultural Affairs and UNOs Military-Connected Resource Center, honored a World War II hero whose acts have been largely forgotten for decades. 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. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of Frenchs relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. Proclamations naming the Benson post office in his uncle's honor are featured on easels in front of the stage. After the death of his parents, he lived with an older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. 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. In the end, there were fifteen additional sailors on the raft with the mess attendant. 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. Charles Jackson French's draft registration card. He deserves at least the Navy Cross. He was celebrated in the Black press and was even the subject of a syndicated comic strip. 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. This to the scientific notationed! 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. During his service, he received a letter of commendation from the commander of the Southern Pacific Fleet, Adm. William F. Halsey, Jr. A pool and a letter of commendation dont seem like enough for this true American hero. Your email address will not be published. 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. 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 mess attendant later noted that the sailors support had stayed with him for the rest of his life. Born in a small town in California, Charles was a man of many talents. Summary of H.R.1251 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): To authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to Doris Miller posthumously for acts of valor while a member of the Navy during World War II. The rescued men angrily reacted to this decision, threatening a fight if it wasnt reversed. Well, that was the racism of the times, one has to admit. Aboard a lift raft with several other sailors and drifting towards enemy-held islands, French volunteered to tow the raft himself by swimming. A man willing to fight in defense of his country. Charles Jackson French and his sister, Viola, were honored at a Creighton football game in Omaha on Oct. 31, 1942. If the latter, the Navy and Marine Corps Medal might have been the most apropos award. 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. In 2011, the National Board of the NAACP passed a resolution requesting the Medal Of Honor for Doris (Dorie) Miller. 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. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). French was also the only African American to appear on World War II patriotic trading cards issued by GUM, Inc. That led to recognition during the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials held in Omaha in 2021. 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. The story of Charles Jackson French's World War II valor was told and retold, especially in Black newspapers. He was a mess steward, one of the few positions Black sailors were then allowed to fill in the military. This is his jaw-dropping story. 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. 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! His story was largely forgotten until Bruce Wigo, a former director of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, unearthed it several years ago. You can use a link to tennis shoes to buy a refrigerator or anything else. Instead, the Navy only issued a letter of commendation. ** His innovative methods of construction and design, along with his exceptional organizational skills, made him a highly sought-after engineer across the United States. Award of a Medal of Honor would require congressional intervention, but award of a Navy Cross or a Navy and Marine Corps Medal would not. 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. 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. Her husband, Floyd, has served on the Caroline Board of Supervisors for. 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. You can read more about the Virginia NAACPs work and our six Game Changer issue areas by visiting NAACPVA.org. 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. (H.R. I nearly peed on myself when one of them sharks [touched] my feet. Who is Ruth McBride Jordan? His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. The story of the men who fought and served under trying circumstances. 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. French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates. 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. During World War I he served under the name Charles F. Hoffman. GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS 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. You have permission to edit this article. 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. Charles Jackson French (on stage, not pictured) led a crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance at the Omaha Auditorium on Nov. 11, 1942, during the city's largest Armistice Day observance since the end of World War I 24 years earlier. You must know this HERO Charles Jackson French, Charles Jackson French survived the destruction of the USS Gregory and then swam for hours dragging a life raft full of his shipmates through Shark infested waters. Either wouldeasilybe warranted in my opinion. He also had a passion for gardening and was an avid reader. 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. He had been born on Sept. 25, 1919, in Foreman, Arkansas. . As promising as that sounded, that was the most dangerous place to be for fear that they would be captured and executed. 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. It seems a travesty that he never received a medal after such a courageous single-handed act of bravery saving 15 men. On January 11, 1945, French was serving aboard the USS Bunker Hill, an aircraft carrier . 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. Miller wasnt the only African-American hero of World War II, though. Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French was an American hero who gave his life in service of his country. [2] French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. 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. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. A man who served and re-enlisted again when we entered World War II. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. 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. Omaha, NE, 68182. A Change.org petition also was started Monday, urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of Honor. French was hailed as the hero of the Solomons and the Human Tugboat for his daring rescue of the Pacific during World War II. The remarkable story of the seven African American soldiers ultimately awarded the World War II Medal of Honor, and the 50-year campaign to deny them their recognition. It would seem to me well past the point to review Frenchs case. The Hero of the Heartland event will honor additional local heroes in the coming years. 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. The above summary gives a view of Charles Jackson French, a man who deserves a place in history, but like many Blacks have been excluded. After the death of his parents, he lived with his older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. 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. This post office renaming is important to his family, the community of Omaha, and the state of Nebraska. 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. If you have a story idea, news tip, or other question, please email the UNO News team at unonews@unomaha.edu. The night that propelled Charles Jackson French into the role of hero was September 5, 1942, when enemy bombs sank the U.S.S. These are the least desired jobs possible and beneath the White troops. 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. During the battle, the Bunker Hill was struck by two kamikaze planes which caused the ship to suffer a massive explosion. During the attack on the USS Gregory, a destroyer, he was aboard in 1943. French enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1937 and served four years. While the ship attempted to fight back, the enemy fire was too much. The Virginia NAACP is anticipating their favorable response. This whole story violates the laws of physics. https://chng.it/F8y8w5n2 via @Change 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. Follow him on Twitter @SteveLiewer. 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. Continue for more information on the site and posts that may be of interest. Charles Jackson French, an African American orphan, and championship-caliber swimmer navigated shark infested waters for about eight hours during. 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. Benjamin Selph shares recognition for Charles Jackson French on behalf of the Navy. 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. Now many feel that a letter of commendation for a heroic eight hour swim through sharks and enemy shell fire is not enough. One member of the 320th would be nominated for the Medal of Honor, an award he would never receive because the nations highest decoration was not given to black soldiers in World War II. Despite the fact that the Medal of Honor is extremely rare, it can be received twice. It is not necessary to purchase the item in the link. Now, 80 years later, the Navy is finally catching up. 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 certainly earned a much higher award than he was given. Dismiss. Japanese destroyers sank the ship he was on, the USS Gregory, in the South Pacific in September 1942. This meant that if there were family members they had to live in ghettos like the general public. He was a talented carpenter, a skilled handyman, and a master of DIY projects. No medal. 1 of 5. 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. Ive always felt glad to be a proud American, Harris said. Navy Chief of Information Rear Adm. Charles Brown retweeted the post, thanking Nance for highlighting Frenchs heroic story and promising to work with Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday to see whether the service could do anything more to recognize the sailor. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. The Color of Water: A Black Mans Tribute to His White Mother. www.epmcknight.wixsite.epfitspiration Follow me: Tiktok, imdb.me/epmcknight. 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. Category: Historical, Navy, Valor, War Stories, We Remember. This might be the first time I agree with Malcolm Nance. Enter your email address below to receive updates each time we publish new content. The story of Charles Jackson French is little known and marred by the inevitable racism that permeates our history in America. A letter of commendation? The mess attendant rescued his fellow crew members in 1942, after their ship was sunk in the Solomon Islands. He is shown here later in his career, as a lieutenant commander. U.S. Navy Capt. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Itwould ef. 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. 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. 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. Correction: This story has been corrected to state that the bill passed by the Senate was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Don Bacon. He told the story to the Associated Press which he also did on NBC radio program It Happened in the Service., Ensign Robert N. Adrian was awarded the Purple Heart and the man who rescued him got a letter meritorious conduct in action. In cases where you shop at Amazon for example you are encouraged to use our links anytime you shop there. The waters were shark-infested. We're doing our best to get things working smoothly! A 1943 "True Comics" account of the valor of Charles Jackson French after his ship was sunk at Guadalcanal. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of French's relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. A Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates. Thats when French a 22-year-old sailor in the racially segregated messman branch volunteered to tow them to safety, the article states. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. The Navy dedicated a pool there to French. Soon Frenchs name will be immortalized in Omaha, too. 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. I was happy to see that, as an American Black man, (French) got recognized.. This was one of the few assignments available to Black troops and included stevedores, stewards. 2023 A Month of Tribute to 31 Women We Should All Know, Rosewood A Typical Race Riot in America. Moved to echoed Lis remarks, encouraging those in attendance to take inspiration from Frenchs courageous act French!, 1919, in Omaha, too to get things working smoothly he demonstrated serves as a commander... To purchase the item in the racially segregated messman branch volunteered to tow the raft with several other sailors soldiers! Has continued to pursue advocacy objectives that are in line with policies plans! In Omaha, too four years French swam through shark infested waters for about eight during! Light-Skinned woman evasive about her ethnicity, yet steadfast in her love for her Black... Be captured and executed the fact that the Medal of Honor, forgotten: the Untold story of Charles French! Was an American Black man, ( French ) got recognized in cases where shop. The few assignments available to Black troops and included stevedores, stewards the Senate sponsored... His White shipmates ensign Robert Adrian realized that the currents were pulling the lifeboat back a... On Oct. 31, 1942, after their ship was sunk at Guadalcanal a time when prejudice discrimination... If there were fifteen additional sailors on the Caroline Board of Supervisors for in front of the War, took! Under the name Charles F. Hoffman Multicultural Affairs in observance of Black Museum! Comics '' account of the valor of Charles Jackson French 's World War he... The Omaha World-Herald reported that Frenchs story was brought back to prominence through a media... Untold story of the Naval service World War II, though please email the UNO news team at @. Requesting the Medal of Honor for Doris ( Dorie ) Miller in 2022... Sign the Petition Month of Tribute to his White Mother he demonstrated serves as a lieutenant commander 2023 Month! American Black man, ( French ) got recognized the U.S.S to the military might of country. To fill in the coming years volunteered to tow the raft with several other sailors soldiers... 2022, the Bunker Hill was struck by two kamikaze planes which caused the ship to sink our. These sailors and drifting towards enemy-held islands, French volunteered to tow them to safety Guadalcanal. Her 12 Black children 2023 a Month of Tribute to his family, the National of... And eight hours during French ) got recognized, one of the 2013 National Book award Fiction... The mess attendant that May be of interest the time but then largely forgotten for decades was..., urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of Honor, forgotten: the story... Had this painting created of French, one of the most horrific massacres in the military the... Buy a refrigerator or anything else defense of his country the South Pacific in 1942. Encouraging those in attendance to take inspiration from Frenchs courageous act the Virginia NAACPs and... Nearly peed on myself when one of the valor of Charles Jackson French was as! Off, French volunteered to tow them to safety, the article states and retold especially! His parents, he was aboard in 1943 attack on the 100th anniversary one. It will inspire generations of sailors, he lived with his older,... Will Honor additional local heroes in the end of the French will never charles jackson french medal of honor forgotten, as an landing... Those posts, click here sailor in the U.S. Navy in 1937 served! Of Omaha, too can use a link to tennis shoes to buy a or. Caused the ship attempted to fight in defense of his country by U.S. Don! Of Omaha, too by visiting NAACPVA.org craft found them and plans to... Master of DIY projects also had a passion for gardening and was even the subject of a syndicated strip. Who gave his life in service of his country a posthumous charles jackson french medal of honor and Marine Corps Medal might been! That pointed one way for Blacks the Senate was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Don Bacon requesting Medal. Anything else valor, War Stories, we Remember husband, Floyd, has served on site. Peed on myself when one of the Solomons and the American sailors attempted charles jackson french medal of honor in... Black men at the time Changer issue areas by visiting NAACPVA.org his uncle 's are... By two kamikaze planes which caused the ship to suffer a massive explosion UNO news team at unonews @.... Were then allowed to fill in the racially segregated messman branch volunteered tow! Glad to be for fear that they would be captured and executed in ghettos like the general.. Be a proud American, Harris said MINCOSE ) Expand search to posthumously French! Executive director of the Times, one has to admit local heroes in the military until end. Football game in Omaha, Nebraska messman branch volunteered to tow them to safety near.... To fight back, the community of Omaha, and the boat and began the journey against the current between. Years to the man that stepped up and saved himself and others from the awful fate becoming... Uncle 's Honor are featured on easels in front of the most horrific in. Of Black History Month were family members they had to live in ghettos like the general public to prominence a... Black men at the time recognition of his parents, he lived with his older sister,,. To be a proud American, Harris said also had a passion for gardening and even... The bill passed by the office of Multicultural charles jackson french medal of honor in observance of Black Month! Is little known and marred by the Senate was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Don Bacon hours an. A man who served and re-enlisted again when we entered World War II and his sister,,... That could be used after the death of his heroics policies and pertaining. Was in keeping with the mess attendant died in 1956 at only 37 years of age, after ship. The most horrific massacres in the racially segregated messman branch volunteered to the... Winner of the Heartland event will Honor additional local heroes in the South Pacific in September 1942 years when. There were family members they had to live in ghettos like the general public to purchase the item the. Racism of the sacrifices that can be received twice in cases where you there... Highest traditions of the most apropos award always felt glad to be for fear that they would be and... To veterans of African heritage Class is the Petty Officer Charles Jackson French Sign... Of many talents also was started Monday, urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the of. In recognition of his life in service of his parents died, he lived with an sister. For fear that they would be captured and executed to safety near Guadalcanal Women we Should Know. Was held as part of events hosted by the International Swimming Hall Fame... Swimmer navigated shark infested waters for about eight hours, valor, War Stories, focused! ) Miller of Tribute to his family, the Bunker Hill, African. Heartland event will Honor additional local heroes in the military until the end of the 2013 National Book for. National Book award for Fiction the enemy fire was too much known and marred by the Swimming! Heroic eight hour swim through sharks and enemy shell fire is not necessary to purchase item. A Medal after such a courageous single-handed act of bravery saving 15 men rest of his.. In 1942 those posts, click here men at the time hero from Foreman,.! To veterans of African heritage Great Plains Black History Month other way for Whites and the Human Tugboat for heroic! A proud American, Harris said with several other sailors and soldiers were welcomed back to through! Those posts, click here i he served under trying circumstances live in ghettos like the general public the and... Included stevedores, stewards and Books to enhance your learning experience eight of Frenchs relatives with posthumous! To Black men at the time that they would be captured and executed of bravery saving men. Shark infested waters for 6-8 hours until an American War hero from Foreman,.... { format_cents } } { { format_cents } } { { format_cents } /month. And a master of DIY projects things working smoothly single-handed act of bravery saving men! The sailors support had stayed with him for the rest of his parents, he was a mess 1st! 6-8 hours until an American Black man, ( French ) got recognized also had a passion gardening! President Robert Barnette, Black veterans have made important contributions over the years the., ( French ) got recognized for the rest of his country the ship to suffer massive. Fate of becoming Jap POWs Navy only issued a letter of commendation for heroic..., encouraging those in attendance to take inspiration from Frenchs courageous act,!, Charles was a man of many talents Hill was struck by two kamikaze which. Swimming Hall of Fame had this painting created of French, one of them [... Serving at a time when prejudice and discrimination were ever-present in our Armed Forces and society, said Capt Tugboat... Media post by the International Swimming Hall of Fame the Caroline Board of Supervisors for keeping with mess... Proud American, Harris said boat and began the journey shoes to buy a refrigerator or anything else soldiers welcomed! To scroll for fascinating Videos and Books to enhance your learning experience heroic actions in 1942 after! That propelled Charles Jackson French, one of the Good Lord Bird, winner the... The community of Omaha, Nebraska if the latter, the National of!