charles jackson french medal of honor
There is no way a man with a set of brass balls the size of what PO1 French possessed could float, let alone tow a raft. 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, 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. Dismiss. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. 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. German prisoners of war were allowed to ride with White soldiers while the Black fighters were relegated to open, drafty, smelly cattle cars. Eric Ewing, executive director of the Great Plains Black History Museum, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. 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. Oh, I forgot to mention that the survivors of Gregory, including this raft, were beingintentionallyshelled by the enemy. The ship sailed on the Pacific Ocean heading towards Guadalcanal. In March of 1942, French was assigned to the USS Gregory (APD-3). 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. During the battle, the Bunker Hill was struck by two kamikaze planes which caused the ship to suffer a massive explosion. U.S. Navy Capt. The event was held as part of events hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs in observance of Black History Month. The VSC NAACP is in full support of Thomass campaign. We encourage you to share the site on social media. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of French's relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. 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. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. Correction: This story has been corrected to state that the bill passed by the Senate was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Don Bacon. 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. The first was an enlistment was in 1937 when he served four years before receiving an honorable discharge in 1941. ** On September 4th of 1942, the USS Gregory found itself under attack from Japanese destroyers. 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. Though the survivors felt French deserved a Medal of Honor or at least a Silver Star, the Swimming Hall of Fame story states, he never received either. (H.R. UNOs Hero of the Heartland event continued the long overdue recognition of Frenchs heroism. Will you do the same? This is the story of Charles Jackson French, who rescued several soldiers during the Battle of Guadalcanal. The mess attended tied a rope around his waist and the boat and began the journey. Its a story of the best of who we are.. Despite the fact that more than one million African Americans served, not a single Black soldier received the Medal of Honor. The Color of Water: A Black Mans Tribute to His White Mother. French became famous after his commander, Ensign Robert Adrian, told the story on a radio program broadcast across the country. Several San Diego Navy leaders spoke. The wording of the letter follows. 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. 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, who moved to Omaha as a teen, first enlisted in the US Navy in 1937. 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. 80 years later, Omaha hero who swam in shark-infested waters receives Navy honor. 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. 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. We remember Charles Jackson French, winner of the Navy medal, who swam through the Pacific after his vessel sunk in WWII. During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. French volunteered to tow the raft to another island that was safer, however, these were shark infested waters and those on board the raft attempted to talk French out of the mission, but he believed that death by shark would at least be quick and merciful. Follow him on Twitter @SteveLiewer. French, who was manning the anti-aircraft guns, was killed in the ensuing explosion, making him one of the first casualties of the battle. He was born in Foreman, Arkansas on September 25, 1919. French stayed in the military until the end of the war, then took a civilian job with the Navy in San Diego. These sailors and soldiers were welcomed back to American soil with signs that pointed one way for Whites and the other way for Blacks. Instead, the Navy only issued a letter of commendation. 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. To see the posts, click here. Continue to scroll for fascinating Videos and Books to enhance your learning experience. Charles Jackson French, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 77 on June 17th, 2020. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Chester French, nephew of Charles Jackson French, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. 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. Inaction has been a great injustice to the goodly Sergeants bravery and sacrifice, for him and his Troops. The server is misbehaving. He also had a passion for gardening and was an avid reader. You can read more about the Virginia NAACPs work and our six Game Changer issue areas by visiting NAACPVA.org. www.epmcknight.wixsite.epfitspiration Follow me: Tiktok, imdb.me/epmcknight. Continue scrolling down for more amazing information, videos, books and value items. The French and five other brave sailors swam for up to eight hours to rescue all but eleven of the crew after they were stranded on the sea. [2] 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. Charles French was born on September 25, 1919, in Foreman, Arkansas. 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. When the sailors were rescued, the Master at Arms attempted to separate French from the men he had just saved. He remembers meeting his uncle during World War II just after the famous rescue and being inspired to learn to swim. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). This might be the first time I agree with Malcolm Nance. These are the least desired jobs possible and beneath the White troops. For Black History Month 2022 we focused on Health and Wellness in the Black Community. Well, that was the racism of the times, one has to admit. Charles Jackson French's draft registration card. This petition starter stood up and took action. We're doing our best to get things working smoothly! Miller wasnt the only African-American hero of World War II, though. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it. If the latter, the Navy and Marine Corps Medal might have been the most apropos award. Future Hero of the Heartland events may be held during other heritage months to celebrate heroes among a broad array of diverse ethnic groups. 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. You can try refreshing the page, and if you're still having problems, just try again later. A BILL TO NAME A U.S. POST OFCEFI JUST PAST THE U.S. SENATE. 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. Benjamin Selph shares recognition for Charles Jackson French on behalf of the Navy. French made public appearances after the rescue, including attending a Creighton University football game with his sister in 1942. 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. . French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates through shark-infested waters to safety near Guadalcanal. Aside: f*ck sharks. 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. UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, speaks to the bravery and courage of Charles Jackson French at the Hero of the Heartland event. 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. During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. Omaha, NE, 68182. He was a mess steward, one of the few positions Black sailors were then allowed to fill in the military. Racism preventing awarding a medal? That inquiry helped bring about last weeks award ceremony. French swam against the current for between six and eight hours. 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. 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 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. The night that propelled Charles Jackson French into the role of hero was September 5, 1942, when enemy bombs sank the U.S.S. A man who served and re-enlisted again when we entered World War II. Teachers are pumped. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. 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. French saved. He disrobed and with assistance tied the tow rope around his waist and swam what is estimated to be six to eight hours. Charles Jackson French was an American war hero from Foreman, Arkansas. Kudos to the man that stepped up and saved himself and others from the awful fate of becoming Jap POWs. His story was retold in comic strips and trading cards, and he traveled the country to help sell war bonds before enthusiastic crowds. Charles Jackson French and his sister, Viola, were honored at a Creighton football game in Omaha on Oct. 31, 1942. In May 2022, the Navy finally presented French'srelatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal in recognition of his heroics. Hundreds of Blacks were slaughtered and 10,000 left homeless in this largely unknown event. USA Swimming honored him at the finals of the 2021 Swim Trials in June. We depend on your support and thank you for it! There is a campaign requesting a Congressional Medal of Honor is awarded to French. Thats when French a 22-year-old sailor in the racially segregated messman branch volunteered to tow them to safety, the article states. A 1943 "True Comics" account of the valor of Charles Jackson French after his ship was sunk at Guadalcanal. 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. He enjoys sports, politics, comic books, and anything that has to do with history. Weeks later, he told the story of a heroic mess attendant named "French" who towed a raft full of about 15 wounded sailors including Adrian all night through shark-filled waters until they were rescued. The waters were shark-infested. https://chng.it/F8y8w5n2 via @Change French was an African American serving at a time when prejudice and discrimination were ever-present in our Armed Forces and society, said Capt. In the end, there were fifteen additional sailors on the raft with the mess attendant. There was no escape from racism despite putting your life on the line for your country. He was a talented carpenter, a skilled handyman, and a master of DIY projects. 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. He served two stints in the Navy. On November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California, Charles Jackson French, 37 at the time, died. This to the scientific notationed! U . But French said he wasnt afraid. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. He re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor where he was assigned to be a mess attendant. It seems a travesty that he never received a medal after such a courageous single-handed act of bravery saving 15 men. 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. Darn guys a stud. 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. . The waters were shark-infested. He was 37 years old when he died on November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California. A Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. 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. 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. Read the full statement. The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. Perhaps it was that he wasnt considered to be in combat. 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. It will inspire generations of sailors, he said. 6001 Dodge Street, 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. The mess attendant later noted that the sailors support had stayed with him for the rest of his life. But after his parents died, he moved to. He received an honorable discharge on November 11, 1941, but re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. 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Malcolm Nance APD-3 ) Pearl Harbor and anything that has to admit highest traditions of the Year wasnt to!
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