Itwould ef. The ships first class is the Petty Officer 1st Class. This is his jaw-dropping story. 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. (H.R. 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). French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. 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 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. The event was held as part of events hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs in observance of Black History Month. I will note that the fact that its being discussed now would suggest that that same racism DOESNT exist today. As one of the survivors, French found himself in the water on a life raft. Interspersed in these are items from partners with Amazing Black History that allow you to support our work without cost to you as we are paid a small royalty by the partner. During the battle, the Bunker Hill was struck by two kamikaze planes which caused the ship to suffer a massive explosion. 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. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. Linda Thomas of Bowling Green, Virginia, wants President Joe Biden to award the Medal of Honor to Black World War II Navy heroes Doris Miller and Charles Jackson French. The rescued men angrily reacted to this decision, threatening a fight if it wasnt reversed. Thats a portrait of a hero. Correction: This story has been corrected to state that the bill passed by the Senate was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Don Bacon. But after his parents died, he moved to. 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 . Since they were taking direct fire, Id feel the Navy Cross the more appropriate of the two. Well, that was the racism of the times, one has to admit. I was elated, said Chester French Jr. of Omaha, Charles nephew, who attended along with several other French family members. This was one of the few assignments available to Black troops and included stevedores, stewards. Yeah, I know, not with this illegitimate regime in place. The mess attendant died in 1956 at only 37 years of age. This post office renaming is important to his family, the community of Omaha, and the state of Nebraska. While the ship attempted to fight back, the enemy fire was too much. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. To comment or make suggestions on future posts, use Contact Us. 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. Note: when French was in the Navy, it was not permitted for there to be Blacks and Whites in the water at the same time. 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. On September 4th of 1942, the USS Gregory found itself under attack from Japanese destroyers. Calls to recognize black WWII hero shed light on feat of heroism, Omaha-native Charles Jackson French is credited with saving his entire crew while serving in the U.S. Navy. It would seem to me well past the point to review Frenchs case. Virginia NAACP President Robert Barnette was pleased to have his Executive Committee give its unanimous support to Mrs. Thomas effort. When bombs sank the. www.epmcknight.wixsite.epfitspiration Follow me: Tiktok, imdb.me/epmcknight. On Thursday, a billto rename the Benson postal facility at 6223 Maple St. the Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French Post Office cleared the Senate by a unanimous vote. Inspiring Stories of Black History and Achievement. The Navy dedicated a pool there to French. In her pitch, Thomas said, to politicians: If ever youve needed a moment that says, I can look past party and politics and everything else going on in the world, this is it. "The country did . 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. His work has been featured in psfk.com, foxsports.com, politicususa.com and hillreporter.com. Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French was an American hero who gave his life in service of his country. Roughly 15 survivors of the Gregory, some injured, were gathered in a life raft. In time it was learned that Charles Jackson French stood 5'8" tall and weighed 195 pounds. UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, speaks to the bravery and courage of Charles Jackson French at the Hero of the Heartland event. 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. 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. Or even going back to the 90s when a lot of this (blacks finally getting the awards they deserve) started to happen. German prisoners of war were allowed to ride with White soldiers while the Black fighters were relegated to open, drafty, smelly cattle cars. 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. 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. Ensign Adrian fought for French to receive the Medal of Honor for his heroic rescue. He pulled off his clothes, had his shipmates help tie a rope around his waist, and dove into the water. {{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? In 2022, the Navy announced that they would name a pool at their San Diego base in Frenchs 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. On January 11, 1945, French was serving aboard the USS Bunker Hill, an aircraft carrier that was involved in the Battle of Okinawa. Kind of sounds like it. He was only referred to as French on the card, though. 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. And while were at it can we please award Alwyn Cashes family his much deserved MOH.please. To see the posts, click here. The ultimate insult! Charles Jackson French, an African American orphan, and championship-caliber swimmer navigated shark infested waters for about eight hours during. 1603) On June 20, 2022, President Biden signed it into law. The story of Charles Jackson French's World War II valor was told and retold, especially in Black newspapers. French was honored at the U.S. Olympic swim trials in 2021. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday said in a statement: The story of Charles Jackson French needs to be told and shared for generations to come. After tying him off, French swam through shark infested waters for 6-8 hours until an American landing craft found them. You can try refreshing the page, and if you're still having problems, just try again later. Racism preventing awarding a medal? The bill, sponsored by Rep. Don Bacon,cleared the House of Representatives in March. This request was also forwarded to the National NAACP office asking for a resolution to be adopted. 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. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. The Southern.Life is a publication of Emerson Parker Press, which is owned and operated by Jim Harris and his wife, Marian. Chester French, nephew of Charles Jackson French, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. A world class collection of Black History inspired by a 5th grade teacher who told Arturo Schomburg that there was NO African history. 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. Custer is the first soldier in US history to receive the militarys highest honor twice, as well as the first to do so twice. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of French's relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. His own father served in the war, too. French was a swimmer who performed a. He was born in Foreman, Arkansas on September 25, 1919. 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 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. Kudos to the man that stepped up and saved himself and others from the awful fate of becoming Jap POWs. To see these posts, click this link, For Womens History Month 2022 we featured 31 amazing Black women we should all know. 80 years later, Omaha hero who swam in shark-infested waters receives Navy honor. The ensign told French the plan was crazy, that they were surrounded by sharks and he would only get himself killed. He died in 1956, at age 37, of depression and alcoholism from untreated post-traumatic stress, family members say. Yet, history has overlooked him. A little more than a week after Thomas first called the Senators office, Kaine wrote letters to President Joe Biden concerning Miller and French. His story was retold in comic strips and trading cards, and he traveled the country to help sell war bonds before enthusiastic crowds. 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. Continue scrolling down for more amazing information, videos, books and value items. 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 the melee, fifteen sailors were put abord a life raft but there was danger that they would drift towards land. Either wouldeasilybe warranted in my opinion. 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. The VSC NAACP is in full support of Thomass campaign. The ship sailed on the Pacific Ocean heading towards Guadalcanal. Little is known of his earliest days. He quickly went to work pulling other sailors aboard with him. Although he demonstrated extreme bravery, instead of the Medal of Honor, all French received was a nice letter from the U. S. Navy. Charles French was born on September 25, 1919, in Foreman, Arkansas. Will you do the same? Thats when French a 22-year-old sailor in the racially segregated messman branch volunteered to tow them to safety, the article states. French was also the only African American to appear on World War II patriotic trading cards issued by GUM, Inc. It is not necessary to purchase the item in the link. His wife, Linda, called the event just awesome., It makes you want to cry, she said. UNOs Hero of the Heartland event continued the long overdue recognition of Frenchs heroism. French stayed in the military until the end of the war, then took a civilian job with the Navy in San Diego. Inaction has been a great injustice to the goodly Sergeants bravery and sacrifice, for him and his Troops. That inquiry helped bring about last weeks award ceremony. charles jackson french swam 6-8 hours in 1942nd a saved 15 of his crewmates and died in 1956. Change.org Uh oh. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. French was hailed as the hero of the Solomons and the Human Tugboat for his daring rescue of the Pacific during World War II. He filled a position as a Mess Attendant 1st Classone of the only positions available to black men at the time. Thems the devils fish. Bloomsbury presents Immortal Valor by Robert Child, read by Vaughn Johseph. 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. Perhaps it was that he wasnt considered to be in combat. 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. 1 of 5. 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. You have permission to edit this article. 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. 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. Perhaps racism played a role in French not receiving proper recognition. Author and Navy veteran Malcolm Nance got the services attention Sunday when he tagged several official accounts in a Twitter post about French. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Brown noted that, with Frenchs name and photo attached to the Navy pool, his story will be told well into the future. He certainly earned a much higher award than he was given. 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. Her husband, Floyd, has served on the Caroline Board of Supervisors for. And he would only get himself killed this decision, threatening a if! 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