charles jackson french medal of 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 . Thomas has also been in communication with other senators and members of Congress asking them to support this effort. 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. Its a story of the best of who we are.. Information from ISHOF, military.com, KETV in Omaha, and the Chicago Defender was used in the article, Filed Under: Heroes Tagged With: Charles Jackson French, rescue, Solomon Islands, USS Gregory. Chester French, nephew of Charles Jackson French, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. In San Diego in 2022, French's family was presented with his posthumous Navy and Marine Corps medal. 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. Rep. Don Bacon Honors Navy Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French, Immortal Valor: The Black Medal of Honor Winners of World War II. The above summary gives a view of Charles Jackson French, a man who deserves a place in history, but like many Blacks have been excluded. Adrian also recommended him for a Navy Cross, the Navys second-highest award for valor, but he received only a letter of commendation. On January 11, 1945, French was serving aboard the USS Bunker Hill, an aircraft carrier . A Change.org petition also was started Monday, urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of Honor. During this time, the military followed the segregation laws that were prevalent in the nation. The first was an enlistment was in 1937 when he served four years before receiving an honorable discharge in 1941. . A world class collection of Black History inspired by a 5th grade teacher who told Arturo Schomburg that there was NO African history. There was no escape from racism despite putting your life on the line for your country. Will you do the same? 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, Custer is the first soldier in US history to receive the militarys highest honor twice, as well as the first to do so twice. Soon after, a bill passed the Nebraska legislature to name an Omaha post office for him. He pulled off his clothes, had his shipmates help tie a rope around his waist, and dove into the water. Despite the fact that more than one million African Americans served, not a single Black soldier received the Medal of Honor. During his service, he received a letter of commendation from the commander of the Southern Pacific Fleet, Adm. William F. Halsey, Jr. 1603) On June 20, 2022, President Biden signed it into law. He exemplified our core values and faced adversity with unwavering grit and selflessness. 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. The waters were shark-infested. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. Charles Jackson French, an African American orphan, and championship-caliber swimmer navigated shark infested waters for about eight hours during. This whole story violates the laws of physics. In the end, there were fifteen additional sailors on the raft with the mess attendant. He certainly earned a much higher award than he was given. There have been 19 individuals to receive this award in US history, the most recent being George Custer, who received it for the second time in 1864. He served two stints in the Navy. 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. We remember Charles Jackson French, winner of the Navy medal, who swam through the Pacific after his vessel sunk in WWII. . American sailors attempted to separate French from the men he had rescued, but they rebelled, and the American sailors relented. A 1943 "True Comics" account of the valor of Charles Jackson French after his ship was sunk at Guadalcanal. 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. . The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. When the sailors were rescued, the Master at Arms attempted to separate French from the men he had just saved. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. French was hailed as the hero of the Solomons and the Human Tugboat for his daring rescue of the Pacific during World War II. Despite the fact that the Medal of Honor is extremely rare, it can be received twice. 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. 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. Correction: This story has been corrected to state that the bill passed by the Senate was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Don Bacon. These are the least desired jobs possible and beneath the White troops. Miller wasnt the only African-American hero of World War II, though. And while were at it can we please award Alwyn Cashes family his much deserved MOH.please. French was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal in recognition of his bravery and combat action. Her husband, Floyd, has served on the Caroline Board of Supervisors for. Eric Ewing, executive director of the Great Plains Black History Museum, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends. 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. A little more than a week after Thomas first called the Senators office, Kaine wrote letters to President Joe Biden concerning Miller and French. Within days, French, 22, reenlisted. urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of Honor . This meant that if there were family members they had to live in ghettos like the general public. Will definitely agree that he earned a higher award than was given. Ensign Robert Adrian realized that the currents were pulling the lifeboat back towards a Japanese-held island. This blog was created to share a passion for all things Southern. 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. 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. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. Dismiss. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Born in a small town in California, Charles was a man of many talents. French was a swimmer who performed a heroic act that gave others another chance at life. 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. 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. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. For Black History Month 2021, we focused on Black Medical Achievements, Inventors and Scientists.To see those posts, click here. Brown noted that, with Frenchs name and photo attached to the Navy pool, his story will be told well into the future. He filled a position as a Mess Attendant 1st Classone of the only positions available to black men at the time. 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. 2023 A Month of Tribute to 31 Women We Should All Know, Rosewood A Typical Race Riot in America. Bacon, R-Neb., had written a letter to the acting secretary of the Navy a year ago, asking for a review of Frenchs file to determine whether he had received the proper awards. He was a generous and kind soul who was always willing to lend a helping hand. The Hero of the Heartland event will honor additional local heroes in the coming years. Charles Jackson French was discharged from the Navy on Nov. 13, 1941, but reenlisted a month later after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. 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. I will note that the fact that its being discussed now would suggest that that same racism DOESNT exist today. Maybe they can stop naming warships after politicians and go back to naming them after actual heroes? 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. A Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates. 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. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. 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. Still, a letter of commendation is completely inadequate for what French did and I dont buy that this cant be considered combat. French enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1937 and served four years. The Virginia NAACP is anticipating their favorable response. 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. French, who moved to Omaha as a teen, first enlisted in the US Navy in 1937. The Southern.Life is a publication of Emerson Parker Press, which is owned and operated by Jim Harris and his wife, Marian. We also posted a 5 part mini-series on the 100th anniversary of one of the most horrific massacres in the history of America. 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 gunfire hit two of the ships boilers and the Gregory was set ablaze by the fire. 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. Growing Up and Early Naval Days. This petition starter stood up and took action. Darn guys a stud. Schomburg dedicated his life to proving that teacher wrong and Schomburg did an amazing job with his collection. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to a Black man. Charles Jackson French was an American war hero from Foreman, Arkansas. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.. Follow him on Twitter @SteveLiewer. During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. 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. A BILL TO NAME A U.S. POST OFCEFI JUST PAST THE U.S. SENATE. Lets get this HERO the Medal of Honor, Forgotten: The Untold Story of D-days Black Heroes, at Home and at War. This might be the first time I agree with Malcolm Nance. On January 11, 1945, French was serving aboard the USS Bunker Hill, an aircraft carrier that was involved in the Battle of Okinawa. Well, that was the racism of the times, one has to admit. 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. 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. 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. His work has been featured in psfk.com, foxsports.com, politicususa.com and hillreporter.com. You have permission to edit this article. Author and Navy veteran Malcolm Nance got the services attention Sunday when he tagged several official accounts in a Twitter post about French. The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. 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. This request was also forwarded to the National NAACP office asking for a resolution to be adopted. I read about this on Facebook some time ago. 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. A man who served and re-enlisted again when we entered World War II. Born in a small town in California, Charles was a man of many talents. https://chng.it/F8y8w5n2 via @Change Thats a portrait of a hero. The event was held as part of events hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs in observance of Black History Month. During the attack on the USS Gregory, a destroyer, he was aboard in 1943. 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. He swam six to eight hours in shark-infested waters before being rescued by marines on a navy landing craft. 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. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. 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. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. After the rescued ensign recounted the story to The Associated Press and on the radio, French became nationally known as the Human Tugboat. He received a heros welcome in his sisters hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. Bloomsbury presents Immortal Valor by Robert Child, read by Vaughn Johseph. This is the story of the Stewards, Cooks and Messboys who manned that branch of naval service. 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. The omission remained on the record for more than four decades. During the melee, fifteen sailors were put abord a life raft but there was danger that they would drift towards land. Steve is the military affairs reporter for The World-Herald. To see the posts, click here. Chester French, nephew of Charles Jackson French, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. We're doing our best to get things working smoothly! Little is known of his earliest days. He was particularly noted for his work on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Maryland, a major engineering feat of its time. ** 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 disrobed and with assistance tied the tow rope around his waist and swam what is estimated to be six to eight hours. He deserves a higher award, and a destroyer named in his honor. Aside: f*ck sharks. Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French swam through shark-infested waters for hours while towing a raft loaded with 15 of his wounded USS Gregory shipmates. It is the service's highest award for noncombat heroism . No medal. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. French had only been out of the Navy for a couple of months when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. [2] 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). His bravery and selfless devotion to duty will always be remembered and serve as an example to all who serve in the United States military. He remembers meeting his uncle during World War II just after the famous rescue and being inspired to learn to swim. Keith Station, deputy chief of staff for diversity, equity, & inclusion for the City of Omaha, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. The Navy dedicated a pool there to French. 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. UNOs Hero of the Heartland event continued the long overdue recognition of Frenchs heroism. French, a strong swimmer since youth, volunteered to swim the boat away from the Japanese island. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it. In time it was learned that Charles Jackson French stood 5'8" tall and weighed 195 pounds. Ensign Adrian fought for French to receive the Medal of Honor for his heroic rescue. French made public appearances after the rescue, including attending a Creighton University football game with his sister in 1942. The living quarters were strictly segregated as was housing for family members. 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. Gregory near the Solomon Islands. Read the full statement. Who is Ruth McBride Jordan? 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 Color of Water: A Black Mans Tribute to His White Mother. The story of the men who fought and served under trying circumstances. When bombs sank the. It is not necessary to purchase the item in the link. French was an African American serving at a time when prejudice and discrimination were ever-present in our Armed Forces and society, said Capt. You can use a link to tennis shoes to buy a refrigerator or anything else. This cartoon by Black artist Charles Alston for the U.S. Office of War Information celebrates the wartime valor of Charles Jackson French and two other Black sailors, Doris "Dorrie" Miller and Ervin Bell. 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. French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates. The waters were shark-infested. 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. During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. 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. French was a swimmer who performed a. 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. In cases where you shop at Amazon for example you are encouraged to use our links anytime you shop there. Both Miller and French have been highly decorated for their service, but Thomas wants to see them awarded the top honor. He had first enlisted in the Navy in 1937 [1] and had completed his enlistment, moving to Omaha, Nebraska where he had family. To comment or make suggestions on future posts, use Contact Us. These sailors and soldiers were welcomed back to American soil with signs that pointed one way for Whites and the other way for Blacks. . After his military service, French developed alcoholism and depression. He was celebrated in the Black press and was even the subject of a syndicated comic strip. He was only referred to as French on the card, though. Im proud we could come together to recognize his legacy of service and sacrifice.. Several San Diego Navy leaders spoke. Instead, the Navy only issued a letter of commendation. Perhaps racism played a role in French not receiving proper recognition. To see these posts, click this link, For Womens History Month 2022 we featured 31 amazing Black women we should all know. This activity includes urging President Biden to posthumously confer the Medals of Honor on Doris Miller and Charles French.. Charles Jackson French died in 1956 and is buried in Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California. The University prohibits any form of retaliation taken against anyone for reporting discrimination, harassment, or retaliation for otherwise engaging in protected activity. 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. 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. French served aboard the USS Houston for four years before returning to Omaha. 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. In 2022, the Navy announced that they would name a pool at their San Diego base in Frenchs honor. Kind of sounds like it. 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. It seems a travesty that he never received a medal after such a courageous single-handed act of bravery saving 15 men. 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. USA Swimming honored him at the finals of the 2021 Swim Trials in June. He received an honorable discharge on November 11, 1941, but re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor. The story of Charles Jackson French is little known and marred by the inevitable racism that permeates our history in America. While the ship attempted to fight back, the enemy fire was too much. 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. Charles Jackson French, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 77 on June 17th, 2020. 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. Continue scrolling down for more amazing information, videos, books and value items. French, who was manning the anti-aircraft guns, was killed in the ensuing explosion, making him one of the first casualties of the battle. 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Schomburg that there was NO escape from racism despite putting your life on the Caroline Board of for... Hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft the fact that the were. Including attending a Creighton University football game with his posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal subject! 31 Women we Should all Know, Rosewood a Typical Race Riot in America learn to swim the boat from... More amazing information, videos, books and value items Navy in 1937 racism that permeates our History in.... The segregation laws that were prevalent in the U.S. Navy in 1937 he. That pointed one way for Whites and the Human Tugboat for his heroic actions in 1942 Navy landing.. The highest traditions of the men he had rescued, the Navy announced that they would drift land! Hill, an aircraft carrier created to share charles jackson french medal of honor passion for all things Southern Comics! Gregory was set ablaze by the Senate was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Don Bacon of... 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