Charles Jackson (MEng, DIS, MINCOSE) Expand search. 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. In San Diego in 2022, French's family was presented with his posthumous Navy and Marine Corps medal. 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. During World War II, he served as a U.S. sailor. Thomas has also been in communication with other senators and members of Congress asking them to support this effort. 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. This story or history was written to correct one of the many wrongs in the recording of American History. A pool used to train rescue swimmers at Naval Base San Diego also was named in Frenchs honor at the ceremony. A 1943 "True Comics" account of the valor of Charles Jackson French after his ship was sunk at Guadalcanal. "The country did . 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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. 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. 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. He was celebrated in the Black press and was even the subject of a syndicated comic strip. Within days, French, 22, reenlisted. The VSC NAACP is in full support of Thomass campaign. Either wouldeasilybe warranted in my opinion. When the sailors were rescued, the Master at Arms attempted to separate French from the men he had just saved. Did I misread the Congressional Order, or did they not suspend the statute of limitations for review of awards where race may have played a issue in denial or downgrade of award. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates. It took so long.. Charles Jackson French is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California. 1603) On June 20, 2022, President Biden signed it into law. I read about this on Facebook some time ago. It will inspire generations of sailors, he said. 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. Yeah, I know, not with this illegitimate regime in place. French successfully brought the men to safety on the shores of the Solomon Islands. Steve is the military affairs reporter for The World-Herald. Dismiss. As one of the survivors, French found himself in the water on a life raft. I will note that the fact that its being discussed now would suggest that that same racism DOESNT exist today. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. towing a boat of wounded survivors by himself i.imgur.com/P1mQDe. 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 Hero of the Heartland event will honor additional local heroes in the coming years. We depend on your support and thank you for it! Custer is the first soldier in US history to receive the militarys highest honor twice, as well as the first to do so twice. 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. 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. On January 11, 1945, French was serving aboard the USS Bunker Hill, an aircraft carrier . We also posted a 5 part mini-series on the 100th anniversary of one of the most horrific massacres in the history of America. 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. French was a swimmer who performed a. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. Charles will be remembered fondly for his generous spirit, his kind and gentle nature, and the lasting impact he left on those he loved. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of Frenchs relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. Required fields are marked *. Well, that was the racism of the times, one has to admit. The ultimate insult! Author and Navy veteran Malcolm Nance got the services attention Sunday when he tagged several official accounts in a Twitter post about French. 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. 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. He had been born on Sept. 25, 1919, in Foreman, Arkansas. French made public appearances after the rescue, including attending a Creighton University football game with his sister in 1942. As a result, he is an inspiring example of the bravery and commitment of our youth. Im proud we could come together to recognize his legacy of service and sacrifice.. The actions of the French will never be forgotten, as will their ultimate sacrifice. 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. No medal. The night that propelled Charles Jackson French into the role of hero was September 5, 1942, when enemy bombs sank the U.S.S. 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It is not necessary to purchase the item in the link. [2] ** urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of Honor . Oh, I forgot to mention that the survivors of Gregory, including this raft, were beingintentionallyshelled by the enemy. He deserves at least the Navy Cross. Ensign Robert Adrian realized that the currents were pulling the lifeboat back towards a Japanese-held island. 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. You can use a link to tennis shoes to buy a refrigerator or anything else. 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. Yet, history has overlooked him. 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. French was honored at the U.S. Olympic swim trials in 2021. His story was largely forgotten until Bruce Wigo, a former director of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, unearthed it several years ago. 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. In time it was learned that Charles Jackson French stood 5'8" tall and weighed 195 pounds. 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. In 2022, the Navy announced that they would name a pool at their San Diego base in Frenchs 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. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men was adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. It is the service's highest award for noncombat heroism . Roughly 15 survivors of the Gregory, some injured, were gathered in a life raft. A BILL TO NAME A U.S. POST OFCEFI JUST PAST THE U.S. SENATE. 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. www.epmcknight.wixsite.epfitspiration Follow me: Tiktok, imdb.me/epmcknight. This is a close as you can get to a system of slavery as it is forced on the service member. Virginia NAACP President Robert Barnette was pleased to have his Executive Committee give its unanimous support to Mrs. Thomas effort. French was a swimmer who performed a. Little is known of his earliest days. But French said he wasnt afraid. 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. French had only been out of the Navy for a couple of months when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Perhaps racism played a role in French not receiving proper recognition. This post office renaming is important to his family, the community of Omaha, and the state of Nebraska. Soon Frenchs name will be immortalized in Omaha, too. Keith Station, deputy chief of staff for diversity, equity, & inclusion for the City of Omaha, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. French was a swimmer who performed a heroic act that gave others another chance at life. You have permission to edit this article. Perhaps it was that he wasnt considered to be in combat. The server is misbehaving. 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. 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French would go on to earn the name "The Human Tugboat" and garner immense respect from his fellow military peers. His own father served in the war, too. There was no escape from racism despite putting your life on the line for your country. Yet, history has overlooked him. He exemplified our core values and faced adversity with unwavering grit and selflessness. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. Navy officials escorted members of Frenchs family to his gravesite at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, on San Diegos Point Loma peninsula. 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 swam against the current for between six and eight hours. 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