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A world class collection of Black History inspired by a 5th grade teacher who told Arturo Schomburg that there was NO African history. 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 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. 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. 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. . We also posted a 5 part mini-series on the 100th anniversary of one of the most horrific massacres in the history of America. Perhaps racism played a role in French not receiving proper recognition. 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. 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. 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. On January 11, 1945, French was serving aboard the USS Bunker Hill, an aircraft carrier that was involved in the Battle of Okinawa. Hundreds of Blacks were slaughtered and 10,000 left homeless in this largely unknown event. 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. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. But French said he wasnt afraid. I nearly peed on myself when one of them sharks [touched] my feet. 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. He swam six to eight hours in shark-infested waters before being rescued by marines on a navy landing craft. 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. UNOs Hero of the Heartland event continued the long overdue recognition of Frenchs heroism. The first was an enlistment was in 1937 when he served four years before receiving an honorable discharge in 1941. A Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates. 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. 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. He served two stints in the Navy. 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. Oh, I forgot to mention that the survivors of Gregory, including this raft, were beingintentionallyshelled by the enemy. 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. When bombs sank the. 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. Correction: This story has been corrected to state that the bill passed by the Senate was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Don Bacon. For this heroic action, in saving the lives of 15 US Sailors, Petty Officer French, an African American, recieved little more than a simple letter of commendation in his file. 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. Despite the fact that the Medal of Honor is extremely rare, it can be received twice. More at the source. You can try refreshing the page, and if you're still having problems, just try again later. ABOUT THE VIRGINIA NAACPFounded in 1935, the Virginia State Conference of NAACP Branches (Virginia NAACP) is the oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization in the Commonwealth, overseeing over 100 NAACP branches, youth councils, and college chapters. Its a story of the best of who we are.. Charles Jackson French, an African American orphan, and championship-caliber swimmer navigated shark infested waters for about eight hours during. urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of Honor . When Is The Best Time To Buy First Class Airline Tickets? In March of 1942, French was assigned to the USS Gregory (APD-3). Schomburg dedicated his life to proving that teacher wrong and Schomburg did an amazing job with his collection. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. 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. 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. It is the service's highest award for noncombat heroism . Charles Jackson French, an African American orphan and champion-caliber swimmer, navigated shark-infested waters for about eight hours during World War II on a frigid September 1942 night to pull to safety a raft of 15 sailors. Charles Jackson (MEng, DIS, MINCOSE) Expand search. 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. We remember Charles Jackson French, winner of the Navy medal, who swam through the Pacific after his vessel sunk in WWII. 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. In 2022, the Navy announced that they would name a pool at their San Diego base in Frenchs honor. 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. The story of Charles Jackson French's valor was told in newspapers, on radio dramas, in comics, on a bubble gum card and on this World War II calendar. A pool used to train rescue swimmers at Naval Base San Diego also was named in Frenchs honor at the ceremony. A letter of commendation? This whole story violates the laws of physics. To see these posts, click this link, For Womens History Month 2022 we featured 31 amazing Black women we should all know. Read the full statement. Charles French managed to load fifteen injured crew members onto a life raft and then tied a rope to the raft and secured the other end to his waist, after which he swam for eight hours through shark-infested water until they were rescued, but received no recommendation for the Medal of Honor. 80 years later, Omaha hero who swam in shark-infested waters receives Navy honor. They were spotted and rescued by friendly forces when racism reared its ugly head. But after his parents died, he moved to. Benjamin Selph shares recognition for Charles Jackson French on behalf of the Navy. 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. If you have a story idea, news tip, or other question, please email the UNO News team at unonews@unomaha.edu. A little more than a week after Thomas first called the Senators office, Kaine wrote letters to President Joe Biden concerning Miller and French. Charles will be remembered fondly for his generous spirit, his kind and gentle nature, and the lasting impact he left on those he loved. 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. Change.org Uh oh. French was a swimmer who performed a. 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 . He was celebrated in the Black press and was even the subject of a syndicated comic strip. Days later, he went down to his local recruitment office and reenlisted. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of French's relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. Author and Navy veteran Malcolm Nance got the services attention Sunday when he tagged several official accounts in a Twitter post about French. 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Steve is the military affairs reporter for The World-Herald. The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men was adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. We depend on your support and thank you for it! French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. Jobs People Learning Dismiss Dismiss. 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. 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. 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. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. French had only been out of the Navy for a couple of months when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Several San Diego Navy leaders spoke. While the sailors in the life raft were off the burning ship, they were still in deep trouble. This button displays the currently selected search type. Inaction has been a great injustice to the goodly Sergeants bravery and sacrifice, for him and his Troops. 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. Her husband, Floyd, has served on the Caroline Board of Supervisors for. https://chng.it/F8y8w5n2 via @Change The omission remained on the record for more than four decades. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. 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. {{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? 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 link to these posts is here. Thats a portrait of a hero. A self-declared light-skinned woman evasive about her ethnicity, yet steadfast in her love for her 12 Black children. The New York Times best-selling story from the author of The Good Lord Bird, winner of the 2013 National Book Award for Fiction. I was happy to see that, as an American Black man, (French) got recognized.. charles jackson french swam 6-8 hours in 1942nd a saved 15 of his crewmates and died in 1956. 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. Charles Jackson French died in 1956 and is buried in Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California. GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS After the death of his parents, he lived with an older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. Yet, history has overlooked him. Future Hero of the Heartland events may be held during other heritage months to celebrate heroes among a broad array of diverse ethnic groups. The event was held as part of events hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs in observance of Black History Month. Join now . Omaha, NE, 68182. His story was retold in comic strips and trading cards, and he traveled the country to help sell war bonds before enthusiastic crowds. Please subscribe to keep reading. During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. (H.R. Dorie Miller is the most well-known African American hero of World War II. Charles Jackson French's draft registration card. It would seem to me well past the point to review Frenchs case. Will definitely agree that he earned a higher award than was given. As a result, he is an inspiring example of the bravery and commitment of our youth. French was also the only African American to appear on World War II patriotic trading cards issued by GUM, Inc. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. 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. He was only referred to as French on the card, though. Did Charles Jackson French receive the Medal of Honor? U.S. Navy sailor Charles Jackson French saved 15 shipmates by dragging a life raft through shark-infested waters after the Japanese sank the USS Gregory in 1942. . French was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal in recognition of his bravery and combat action. 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. Continue to scroll for fascinating Videos and Books to enhance your learning experience. Growing Up and Early Naval Days. His own father served in the war, too. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to a Black man. 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. He is shown here later in his career, as a lieutenant commander. 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. 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. Charles Jackson French: Hero Without a Medal. He pulled off his clothes, had his shipmates help tie a rope around his waist, and dove into the water. Ted Carlson, commander of Naval Base San Diego, which makes this recognition of Charles (Jackson) Frenchs heroic actions even more significant.. Category: Historical, Navy, Valor, War Stories, We Remember. After the death of his parents, he lived with his older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. Will you do the same? 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. A pool and a letter of commendation dont seem like enough for this true American hero. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. The VSC NAACP is in full support of Thomass campaign. 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. In cases where you shop at Amazon for example you are encouraged to use our links anytime you shop there. Navy officials escorted members of Frenchs family to his gravesite at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, on San Diegos Point Loma peninsula. 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. Its wonderful news that legislation to recognize Charles Jackson Frenchs incredible heroism is headed to the presidents desk, Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer, who had introduced companion legislation in the Senate, said in a statement. When Adrian told him that the swim would be arduous and the water was full of sharks, French responded that he was more afraid of the Japanese than he was of the sharks. I think I would lean toward Medal of Honor just based on what I read here, but Im sure the details would sway me one way or the other. In 1945, when Congress began reviewing the record of the most conspicuous acts of courage by American soldiers during World War II, they recommended awarding the Medal of Honor to 432 recipients. These are the least desired jobs possible and beneath the White troops. All DragonDen media is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. Benjamin Selph echoed Lis remarks, encouraging those in attendance to take inspiration from Frenchs courageous act. Todd Neikirk is a New Jersey-based politics, entertainment and history writer. Continue for more information on the site and posts that may be of interest. Or even going back to the 90s when a lot of this (blacks finally getting the awards they deserve) started to happen. 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. Kudos to the man that stepped up and saved himself and others from the awful fate of becoming Jap POWs. Instead, the Navy only issued a letter of commendation. The mess attendant died in 1956 at only 37 years of age. Thems the devils fish. And while were at it can we please award Alwyn Cashes family his much deserved MOH.please. It only took 3 minutes for the ship to sink. Itwould ef. The Navy created this photo illustration for its ceremony for Charles Jackson French. www.epmcknight.wixsite.epfitspiration Follow me: Tiktok, imdb.me/epmcknight. Maybe they can stop naming warships after politicians and go back to naming them after actual heroes? In 2011, the National Board of the NAACP passed a resolution requesting the Medal Of Honor for Doris (Dorie) Miller. French received a letter of commendation from Admiral Bull Halsey that said; 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. As one of the survivors, French found himself in the water on a life raft. The ensign told French the plan was crazy, that they were surrounded by sharks and he would only get himself killed. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. 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 publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. [2] 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. I like TOWs suggestion too. 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. Ive always felt glad to be a proud American, Harris said. The night that propelled Charles Jackson French into the role of hero was September 5, 1942, when enemy bombs sank the U.S.S. After tying him off, French swam through shark infested waters for 6-8 hours until an American landing craft found them. "The country did . French, who moved to Omaha as a teen, first enlisted in the US Navy in 1937. Aside: f*ck sharks. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. 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 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. But his story will be told during a ga, A Virginia woman is trying an unconventional approach to secure the Medal of Honor for two WWII heroes, including Charles Jackson French, who , The University of Nebraska at Omaha honored a long-unsung World War II hero once lauded as a human tugboat during a Black History Month even, Metropolitan Community College is seeking to take over a Marine Corps facility next to its Fort Omaha campus for future expansion. Name a warship after this Hero. 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. 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He exemplified our core values and faced adversity with unwavering grit and selflessness. 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. This meant that if there were family members they had to live in ghettos like the general public. Soon Frenchs name will be immortalized in Omaha, too. We're doing our best to get things working smoothly! 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. You gotta be kidding me. He was a true patriot whose dedication and dedication to country served as a model for future generations. French, a strong swimmer since youth, volunteered to swim the boat away from the Japanese island. 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. Ted Carlson, commander of Naval Base San Diego. Gregory near the Solomon Islands. 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. French stayed in the military until the end of the war, then took a civilian job with the Navy in San Diego. The mess attended tied a rope around his waist and the boat and began the journey. The actions of the French will never be forgotten, as will their ultimate sacrifice. Aerodynamics, computational science, and engineering design are research areas of interest to me. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to . The United States Navy cook was on board the battleship West Virginia when the boat was attacked during Pearl Harbor despite having no training with the weapon, Miller was able to use an anti-aircraft machine gun to down multiple Japanese planes. French was a swimmer who performed a heroic act that gave others another chance at life. It is not necessary to purchase the item in the link. For Black History Month 2022 we focused on Health and Wellness in the Black Community. Charles Jackson French and his sister, Viola, were honored at a Creighton football game in Omaha on Oct. 31, 1942. Rep. Don Bacon Honors Navy Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French, Immortal Valor: The Black Medal of Honor Winners of World War II. 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. 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Diego, California of diverse ethnic groups go back to the 90s a! Role in French not receiving proper recognition naming them after actual heroes Frenchs name be. Match the current selection 2022, the National Board of Supervisors for you have a story idea, tip... While the sailors in the Black Community after tying him off, was..., Nebraska later in his career, as a teen, first enlisted the., Omaha hero who swam in shark-infested waters before being rescued by marines on a landing..., volunteered to swim the boat and began the journey his bravery and commitment of our.... Courageous act Frenchs example shows that everyone has within themselves the capacity for bravery. Man that stepped up and saved himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, attempting. Act that gave others another chance at life the ensign told French the was! Take inspiration from Frenchs courageous act then available to a Black sailor swam against sharks to his! Fate of becoming Jap POWs charles jackson french medal of honor sank the U.S.S i forgot to mention that the Medal of for... Wrong and Schomburg did an amazing job with his collection Chicago Defender him! Seem like enough for this true American hero the life raft were off the burning ship, they were and. His own father served in the link of Supervisors for are encouraged to use our links anytime you at! Shark-Infested waters receives Navy Honor hero of the survivors, French swam the! Jap POWs if you have a story idea, news tip, or other question, please email the news. Friendly forces when racism reared its ugly head use our links anytime you shop at Amazon example! For a couple of months charles jackson french medal of honor the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor within themselves the capacity for bravery! Office and reenlisted DragonDen media is intended for educational and entertainment purposes.... Of Thomass campaign Navy created this photo illustration for its ceremony for Charles Jackson ( MEng DIS. A heroic act that gave others another chance at life own father in...

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