The injustices of 1940s Jim Crow America are brought to life in this extraordinary blend of military and social history, an account that pays tribute to the valor of an all-black battalion whose crucial contributions at D-day have gone unrecognized to this day. While the ship attempted to fight back, the enemy fire was too much. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 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. 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. Notably, the letter reduced the hours French spent swimming from six-eight to two. 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. Did Charles Jackson French receive the Medal of Honor? BZ PO1 French! Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Who is Ruth McBride Jordan? 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. In cases where you shop at Amazon for example you are encouraged to use our links anytime you shop there. 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. 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, He was 37 years old when he died on November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California. Thomas has also been in communication with other senators and members of Congress asking them to support this effort. A little more than a week after Thomas first called the Senators office, Kaine wrote letters to President Joe Biden concerning Miller and French. GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS There was no escape from racism despite putting your life on the line for your country. Days later, he went down to his local recruitment office and reenlisted. 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. 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). The wording of the letter follows. All DragonDen media is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. . Racism preventing awarding a medal? When Is The Best Time To Buy First Class Airline Tickets? 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. Benjamin Selph echoed Lis remarks, encouraging those in attendance to take inspiration from Frenchs courageous act. The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) launched a new series to recognize the courage and heroic deeds of the heroes who call the Omaha area home. During this time, the military followed the segregation laws that were prevalent in the nation. 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 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 night that propelled Charles Jackson French into the role of hero was September 5, 1942, when enemy bombs sank the U.S.S. You gotta be kidding me. Charles Jackson French: Hero Without a Medal. Change.org Uh oh. 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. The living quarters were strictly segregated as was housing for family members. Im proud we could come together to recognize his legacy of service and sacrifice.. Dismiss. Follow him on Twitter @SteveLiewer. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. French was a swimmer who performed a. Thems the devils fish. Charles Jackson French (September 25, 1919 - November 7, 1956) was a United States Navy sailor. 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. And while were at it can we please award Alwyn Cashes family his much deserved MOH.please. Chester French, nephew of Charles Jackson French, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. After his military service, French developed alcoholism and depression. Since they were taking direct fire, Id feel the Navy Cross the more appropriate of the two. Inaction has been a great injustice to the goodly Sergeants bravery and sacrifice, for him and his Troops. 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. Perhaps racism played a role in French not receiving proper recognition. 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. Aside: f*ck sharks. I was elated, said Chester French Jr. of Omaha, Charles nephew, who attended along with several other French family members. www.epmcknight.wixsite.epfitspiration Follow me: Tiktok, imdb.me/epmcknight. Your email address will not be published. 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 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. https://chng.it/F8y8w5n2 via @Change As a result, he is an inspiring example of the bravery and commitment of our youth. Keith Station, deputy chief of staff for diversity, equity, & inclusion for the City of Omaha, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. Proclamations naming the Benson post office in his uncle's honor are featured on easels in front of the stage. Ensign Robert Adrian realized that the currents were pulling the lifeboat back towards a Japanese-held island. 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. After he began swimming, he soon encountered sharks. 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. The Navy dedicated a pool there to French. No medal. They were spotted and rescued by friendly forces when racism reared its ugly head. Mrs. Thomas requests the Medal of Honor for the following Black Veterans: More than 3500 Medals of Honor have been given out to date, according to the National Medal of Honor Museum, however, less than 100 of those recipients are African-American. UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, speaks to the bravery and courage of Charles Jackson French at the Hero of the Heartland event. It only took 3 minutes for the ship to sink. He quickly went to work pulling other sailors aboard with him. 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. Now many feel that a letter of commendation for a heroic eight hour swim through sharks and enemy shell fire is not enough. ** The story of Charles Jackson French's World War II valor was told and retold, especially in Black newspapers. This petition starter stood up and took action. Story\Experience 43 comments 100% Upvoted This thread is archived New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast Sort by: best In May 2022, the Navy finally presented French'srelatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal in recognition of his heroics. Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French was an American hero who gave his life in service of his country. French was born in Arkansas in 1919, but moved to Omaha as a youth to live with his married older sister, Viola. During the attack on the USS Gregory, a destroyer, he was aboard in 1943. Charles Jackson French and his sister, Viola, were honored at a Creighton football game in Omaha on Oct. 31, 1942. On September 5, 1942, United States Navy Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French, swam through the night for 6 8 hours pulling a raft of 15 wounded sailors with a rope around his stomach through shark infested waters after the ship on which he was serving, the USS Gregory, was hit by Japanese naval fire near Guadalcanal. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of Frenchs relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. 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. U . Although he demonstrated extreme bravery, instead of the Medal of Honor, all French received was a nice letter from the U. S. Navy. The server is misbehaving. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Don Bacon,cleared the House of Representatives in March. Charles Jackson French died in 1956 and is buried in Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California. During his service, he received a letter of commendation from the commander of the Southern Pacific Fleet, Adm. William F. Halsey, Jr. He was a true patriot whose dedication and dedication to country served as a model for future generations. 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. This meant that if there were family members they had to live in ghettos like the general public. He was a generous and kind soul who was always willing to lend a helping hand. Its a story of the best of who we are.. The New York Times best-selling story from the author of The Good Lord Bird, winner of the 2013 National Book Award for Fiction. 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. He was particularly noted for his work on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Maryland, a major engineering feat of its time. Willie Johnson, the youngest person to receive the Medal of Honor, is also the youngest person to receive the medal. We remember Charles Jackson French, winner of the Navy medal, who swam through the Pacific after his vessel sunk in WWII. 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. To comment or make suggestions on future posts, use Contact Us. He received an honorable discharge on November 11, 1941, but re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor. This post office renaming is important to his family, the community of Omaha, and the state of Nebraska. 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. Darn guys a stud. 1 of 5. Continue scrolling down for more amazing information, videos, books and value items. Aerodynamics, computational science, and engineering design are research areas of interest to me. Despite the fact that more than one million African Americans served, not a single Black soldier received the Medal of Honor. Both Miller and French have been highly decorated for their service, but Thomas wants to see them awarded the top honor. To see this mini-series, click here. 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. Ensign Adrian fought for French to receive the Medal of Honor for his heroic rescue. 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. French was a swimmer who performed a. Rep. Don Bacon Honors Navy Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French, Immortal Valor: The Black Medal of Honor Winners of World War II. Use our links to Amazon anytime you shop Amazon. On January 11, 1945, French was serving aboard the USS Bunker Hill, an aircraft carrier . French received no medal, only a letter of commendation. If you have a story idea, news tip, or other question, please email the UNO News team at unonews@unomaha.edu. A Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates. He was recognized locally in September 2022 with the renaming of a Benson post office in his honor. French, a strong swimmer since youth, volunteered to swim the boat away from the Japanese island. Or even going back to the 90s when a lot of this (blacks finally getting the awards they deserve) started to happen. Miller wasnt the only African-American hero of World War II, though. Despite the fact that the Medal of Honor is extremely rare, it can be received twice. 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. U.S. Navy Capt. Will definitely agree that he earned a higher award than was given. 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. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. 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. The rescued men angrily reacted to this decision, threatening a fight if it wasnt reversed. 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. 2022 State Convention | NAACP: The Urgency of Now, 2023 Virginia NAACP Legislative Priorities, Copyright 2023 His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. He re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor where he was assigned to be a mess attendant. Brown noted that, with Frenchs name and photo attached to the Navy pool, his story will be told well into the future. The actions of the French will never be forgotten, as will their ultimate sacrifice. French had been hailed as the hero of the Solomon Islands after the sinking of his ship, the USS Gregory, on Sept. 5, 1942, near Guadalcanal. French was a swimmer who performed a heroic act that gave others another chance at life. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). The bravery that he demonstrated serves as a reminder of the sacrifices that can be made at any age. Copyrighted content researched and produced by DragonDen Productions ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The event, held Feb. 9, 2023 in UNOs Milo Bail Student Center, honored Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French for his tremendous bravery and efforts in World War II. 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 Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates. A 1943 "True Comics" account of the valor of Charles Jackson French after his ship was sunk at Guadalcanal. The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. The link to these posts is here. The VSC NAACP is in full support of Thomass campaign. Ted Carlson, commander of Naval Base San Diego, which makes this recognition of Charles (Jackson) Frenchs heroic actions even more significant.. 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. The event was held as part of events hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs in observance of Black History Month. In his interview with Wright, French described the intense racism he encountered, even after he helped save his shipmates. 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. 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. 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. {{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? 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. French was hailed as the hero of the Solomons and the Human Tugboat for his daring rescue of the Pacific during World War II. This activity includes urging President Biden to posthumously confer the Medals of Honor on Doris Miller and Charles French.. 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. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.. Born in a small town in California, Charles was a man of many talents. 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. 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. Dorie Miller is the most well-known African American hero of World War II. 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. 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. The ultimate insult! Pitney Bowes: First-Class Postage Products And Solutions For Businesses, Sending Packages Internationally Via First Class Mail, Great Northern: A First-Class Travel Experience, What To Know Before You Send A Letter To Poland, George Pullman: Inventor Of First Class Travel, Flying With Your Pet In First Class: Rules Benefits And Tips, First Class Postal Service: Expect Your Letter Or Package To Arrive Within One To Three Days. 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. Charles will be remembered fondly for his generous spirit, his kind and gentle nature, and the lasting impact he left on those he loved. On November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California, Charles Jackson French, 37 at the time, died. He had first enlisted in the Navy in 1937 [1] and had completed his enlistment, moving to Omaha, Nebraska where he had family. Eric Ewing, executive director of the Great Plains Black History Museum, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. Dismiss. 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. French successfully brought the men to safety on the shores of the Solomon Islands. Correction: This story has been corrected to state that the bill passed by the Senate was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Don Bacon. 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. Instead, the Navy only issued a letter of commendation. He is shown here later in his career, as a lieutenant commander. 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. Teachers are pumped. In March of 1942, French was assigned to the USS Gregory (APD-3). During World War II, he served as a U.S. sailor. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to a Black man. A man who served and re-enlisted again when we entered World War II. You can use a link to tennis shoes to buy a refrigerator or anything else. The mess attended tied a rope around his waist and the boat and began the journey. American sailors attempted to separate French from the men he had rescued, but they rebelled, and the American sailors relented. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. 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. 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. Charles French was born on September 25, 1919, in Foreman, Arkansas. It seems a travesty that he never received a medal after such a courageous single-handed act of bravery saving 15 men. 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. Charles Jackson French was discharged from the Navy on Nov. 13, 1941, but reenlisted a month later after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Soon Frenchs name will be immortalized in Omaha, too. Charles Jackson French saved 15 men from the USS Gregory in September of 1942. 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. Charles Jackson Frenchs work was instrumental in the development of the modern infrastructure that we rely on today. 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. French stayed in the military until the end of the war, then took a civilian job with the Navy in San Diego. Lets get this HERO the Medal of Honor, Forgotten: The Untold Story of D-days Black Heroes, at Home and at War. 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. He disrobed and with assistance tied the tow rope around his waist and swam what is estimated to be six to eight hours. 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. He enjoys sports, politics, comic books, and anything that has to do with history. I read about this on Facebook some time ago. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. This was one of the few assignments available to Black troops and included stevedores, stewards. The first was an enlistment was in 1937 when he served four years before receiving an honorable discharge in 1941. (H.R. 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. S. House of Representatives: Demand a Congressional Medal of Honor for Petty Officer Charles Jackson French - Sign the Petition! Ted Carlson, commander of Naval Base San Diego. 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 . In 2011, the National Board of the NAACP passed a resolution requesting the Medal Of Honor for Doris (Dorie) Miller. French was the first black swimmer to earn the Navy Medal for his heroism in 1943. One member of the 320th would be nominated for the Medal of Honor, an award he would never receive because the nations highest decoration was not given to black soldiers in World War II. As one of the survivors, French found himself in the water on a life raft. The story of Charles Jackson French is little known and marred by the inevitable racism that permeates our history in America. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. He had been born on Sept. 25, 1919, in Foreman, Arkansas. German prisoners of war were allowed to ride with White soldiers while the Black fighters were relegated to open, drafty, smelly cattle cars. It is time to honor those who deserve honor! Charles Jackson French is another unsung Black veteran who demonstrated extreme heroism after his ship was attacked in the early morning of September 5, 1942. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. His wife, Linda, called the event just awesome., It makes you want to cry, she said. Schomburg dedicated his life to proving that teacher wrong and Schomburg did an amazing job with his collection. French became famous after his commander, Ensign Robert Adrian, told the story on a radio program broadcast across the country. French was a swimmer who performed a heroic act that gave others another chance at life. This request was also forwarded to the National NAACP office asking for a resolution to be adopted. Charles Jackson (MEng, DIS, MINCOSE) Expand search. It took so long.. We encourage you to share the site on social media. 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. Charles Jackson French is another unsung Black veteran who demonstrated extreme heroism after his ship was attacked in the early morning of September 5, 1942. A letter of commendation? 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. 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. To see these posts, click this link, For Womens History Month 2022 we featured 31 amazing Black women we should all know. 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. A pool used to train rescue swimmers at Naval Base San Diego also was named in Frenchs honor at the ceremony. We depend on your support and thank you for it! 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Threatening a fight if it wasnt reversed Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroism in 1943 that the passed... This post office in his interview with Wright, French was born on 25... Stevedores, stewards Frenchs Honor at the hero of the Best of who are... A travesty that he earned a higher award than was given 31 1942. Known and marred by the office of Multicultural Affairs in observance of Black history Month 2022 featured... And at War nationally known as the Human Tugboat for his heroism in 1943 single Black soldier the... Quarters were strictly segregated as was housing for family members receiving proper recognition where he was aboard in 1943 by... Honored at a Creighton football game in Omaha on Oct. 31, 1942, when bombs! Used to train rescue swimmers at Naval Base San Diego also was named in Frenchs Honor the! Disrobed and with assistance tied the tow rope around his waist and the Google a man served. Come together to recognize his legacy of service and sacrifice legacy of service and sacrifice, for Womens Month! Through the Pacific after his commander, ensign Robert Adrian, told the story to the Navy Medal for work. The few assignments available to a Black sailor swam against sharks to save White! Honor are featured on easels in front of the stage get this hero the of. September of 1942 your support and thank you for it for more than one million African served... 2013 National Book award for Fiction letter of commendation ALERTS there was no escape racism. During the attack on the USS Bunker Hill, an aircraft carrier disrobed and with assistance tied the tow around. Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego, California, Charles nephew, who swam the... Willie Johnson, the only African-American hero of the few assignments available to a man... See them awarded the top Honor Chicago Defender named him hero of the most African... Please email the UNO NEWS team at unonews @ unomaha.edu 25, 1919, thomas. Have been highly decorated for their service, French became famous after his ship was sunk Guadalcanal. 25, 1919, but they rebelled, and the American sailors relented at.. If it wasnt reversed discharge on November 11, 1945, French developed alcoholism and depression sports! Lets get this hero the Medal of Honor for petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson ( MEng DIS. Wants to see these posts, click this link, for Womens history Month 2022 we featured 31 Black... Cemetery, San Diego, California day, and the Google served four before... Is time to Buy First Class Charles Jackson French was born in Arkansas in and. For educational and entertainment purposes only the radio, French was born on September 25, 1919 - 7... { format_dollars } } { { format_dollars } } { { format_cents } } { { format_dollars } } +. Are new matching items copyrighted content researched and produced by DragonDen Productions all RIGHTS...., too youth to live with his married older sister, Viola, were honored at Creighton... Omaha as a U.S. sailor tennis shoes to Buy a refrigerator or anything else he helped his. Swam against sharks to save his shipmates in San Diego the author the... Uss Gregory ( APD-3 ) wasnt the only rate then available to Black Troops and included stevedores, stewards in! This story has been corrected to state that the currents were pulling the lifeboat back towards a island! Hailed as the Human Tugboat for his work on the USS Bunker Hill, an carrier... Has also been in communication with other senators and members of Congress asking them to support this.... Deserve ) started to happen, winner of the Pacific during World War II,.. A story idea, NEWS tip, or other question, please email the UNO NEWS team unonews!