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His own father served in the war, too. This activity includes urging President Biden to posthumously confer the Medals of Honor on Doris Miller and Charles French.. The mess attended tied a rope around his waist and the boat and began the journey. 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. French finished a four-year Navy tour in November 1941 and was visiting family in Omaha when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. 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. The event was held as part of events hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs in observance of Black History Month. 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. 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 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. Future Hero of the Heartland events may be held during other heritage months to celebrate heroes among a broad array of diverse ethnic groups. You have permission to edit this article. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. 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. Either wouldeasilybe warranted in my opinion. He enjoys sports, politics, comic books, and anything that has to do with history. Despite the fact that more than one million African Americans served, not a single Black soldier received the Medal of Honor. Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center, Community Engagement Partnership Initiative, Josie Gatti Schafer Named CUMU Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Research Fellow, #NUforNE: Keeping Nebraska Communities Healthy, Social Mobility, Experiential Learning Focus of Interview with UNO Chancellor Li, University of Nebraska Omaha, After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. 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. This post office renaming is important to his family, the community of Omaha, and the state of Nebraska. This request was also forwarded to the National NAACP office asking for a resolution to be adopted. 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. Yet, history has overlooked him. We remember Charles Jackson French, winner of the Navy medal, who swam through the Pacific after his vessel sunk in WWII. Mrs. Thomas requests the Medal of Honor for the following Black Veterans: More than 3500 Medals of Honor have been given out to date, according to the National Medal of Honor Museum, however, less than 100 of those recipients are African-American. We're doing our best to get things working smoothly! The gunfire hit two of the ships boilers and the Gregory was set ablaze by the fire. 2022 State Convention | NAACP: The Urgency of Now, 2023 Virginia NAACP Legislative Priorities, Copyright 2023 Soon Frenchs name will be immortalized in Omaha, too. In his interview with Wright, French described the intense racism he encountered, even after he helped save his shipmates. 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. Benjamin Selph echoed Lis remarks, encouraging those in attendance to take inspiration from Frenchs courageous act. Growing Up and Early Naval Days. I say MOH. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. UNOs Hero of the Heartland event continued the long overdue recognition of Frenchs heroism. 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. Their orders were to man a curtain of armed balloons meant to deter enemy aircraft. www.epmcknight.wixsite.epfitspiration Follow me: Tiktok, imdb.me/epmcknight. 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. I will note that the fact that its being discussed now would suggest that that same racism DOESNT exist today. In June 2022, the President Joe Biden, signed into law (H.R.4168) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6223 Maple Street, in Omaha, Nebraska, as the Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French Post Office. This blog was created to share a passion for all things Southern. In 2011, the National Board of the NAACP passed a resolution requesting the Medal Of Honor for Doris (Dorie) Miller. Although he demonstrated extreme bravery, instead of the Medal of Honor, all French received was a nice letter from the U. S. Navy. 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. The New York Times best-selling story from the author of The Good Lord Bird, winner of the 2013 National Book Award for Fiction. Enter your email address below to receive updates each time we publish new content. 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. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. This denied qualified service members training that could be used after the military. 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. Phone: 402-444-1186. But French said he wasnt afraid. 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. French became famous after his commander, Ensign Robert Adrian, told the story on a radio program broadcast across the country. [2] Correction: This story has been corrected to state that the bill passed by the Senate was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Don Bacon. We depend on your support and thank you for it! 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. 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. This is the story of Charles Jackson French, who rescued several soldiers during the Battle of Guadalcanal. 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. He had first enlisted in the Navy in 1937 [1] and had completed his enlistment, moving to Omaha, Nebraska where he had family. As a result, he is an inspiring example of the bravery and commitment of our youth. Virginia NAACP President Robert Barnette was pleased to have his Executive Committee give its unanimous support to Mrs. Thomas effort. Generations of Sailors will train [at the pool] and never forget the values and legacy of such a brave American hero.. Well, that was the racism of the times, one has to admit. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. The VSC NAACP is in full support of Thomass campaign. Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French was an American hero who gave his life in service of his country. 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. As promising as that sounded, that was the most dangerous place to be for fear that they would be captured and executed. 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. This is a close as you can get to a system of slavery as it is forced on the service member. 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. 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 . 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. Charles Jackson French is another unsung Black veteran who demonstrated extreme heroism after his ship was attacked in the early morning of September 5, 1942. This was one of the few assignments available to Black troops and included stevedores, stewards. 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 meant that if there were family members they had to live in ghettos like the general public. German prisoners of war were allowed to ride with White soldiers while the Black fighters were relegated to open, drafty, smelly cattle cars. 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. 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 Hero of the Heartland event will honor additional local heroes in the coming years. Its a story of the best of who we are.. 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. The Navy mess attendant was credited with swimming for several hours through shark-infested waters while towing a lifeboat filled with wounded shipmates, all of whom were White, until they could be 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. He was celebrated in the Black press and was even the subject of a syndicated comic strip. Kudos to the man that stepped up and saved himself and others from the awful fate of becoming Jap POWs. 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. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of Frenchs relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. Chester French, nephew of Charles Jackson French, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. In 2022, the Navy announced that they would name a pool at their San Diego base in Frenchs honor. Kind of sounds like it. 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. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it. This story or history was written to correct one of the many wrongs in the recording of American History. 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. Category: Historical, Navy, Valor, War Stories, We Remember. "The country did . He told the story frequently to family and tried for the rest of his life to get Charles Jackson French, the mess attendant, who was from Omaha, the valor award he was denied during the war. After his military service, French developed alcoholism and depression. https://chng.it/F8y8w5n2 via @Change Ive always felt glad to be a proud American, Harris said. In the end, there were fifteen additional sailors on the raft with the mess attendant. We also did a mini-series on the Schomburg Center for Research a most amazing collection of Black history and culture. All DragonDen media is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. Now many feel that a letter of commendation for a heroic eight hour swim through sharks and enemy shell fire is not enough. During the attack on the USS Gregory, a destroyer, he was aboard in 1943. This to the scientific notationed! Join now . The bravery that he demonstrated serves as a reminder of the sacrifices that can be made at any age. He is shown here later in his career, as a lieutenant commander. Charles Jackson French, an African American orphan, and championship-caliber swimmer navigated shark infested waters for about eight hours during. 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. 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. French swam against the current for between six and eight hours. 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. On May 21, 2022, a dedication ceremony for the bases rescue swimmer training pool in Frenchs honor was held at Naval Base San Diego, during which the award was presented. 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. The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. On November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California, Charles Jackson French, 37 at the time, died. Days later, he went down to his local recruitment office and reenlisted. Since they were taking direct fire, Id feel the Navy Cross the more appropriate of the two. James McBride, journalist, musician, and son, explores his mothers past, as well as his own upbringing and heritage, in a poignant and powerful debut, The Color of Water: A Black Mans Tribute to His White Mother. The omission remained on the record for more than four decades. Charles French was born on September 25, 1919, in Foreman, Arkansas. Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. A little more than a week after Thomas first called the Senators office, Kaine wrote letters to President Joe Biden concerning Miller and French. French was an African American serving at a time when prejudice and discrimination were ever-present in our Armed Forces and society, said Capt. Or even going back to the 90s when a lot of this (blacks finally getting the awards they deserve) started to happen. 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