charles jackson french medal of honor
The bravery that he demonstrated serves as a reminder of the sacrifices that can be made at any age. 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 Virginia NAACP is focused on being the preeminent voice of Black Virginians and advocating for policies and programs to benefit Blacks and people of color. 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. 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. He was a mess steward, one of the few positions Black sailors were then allowed to fill in the military. 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. These sailors and soldiers were welcomed back to American soil with signs that pointed one way for Whites and the other way for Blacks. U . To see this mini-series, click here. Author and Navy veteran Malcolm Nance got the services attention Sunday when he tagged several official accounts in a Twitter post about French. Now, 80 years later, the Navy is finally catching up. 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 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, who moved to Omaha as a teen, first enlisted in the US Navy in 1937. (H.R. Miller wasnt the only African-American hero of World War II, though. French was born in Arkansas in 1919, but moved to Omaha as a youth to live with his married older sister, Viola. Yeah, I know, not with this illegitimate regime in place. UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, speaks to the bravery and courage of Charles Jackson French at the Hero of the Heartland event. 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. This is a close as you can get to a system of slavery as it is forced on the service member. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. During his service, he received a letter of commendation from the commander of the Southern Pacific Fleet, Adm. William F. Halsey, Jr. Generations of Sailors will train [at the pool] and never forget the values and legacy of such a brave American hero.. Despite the fact that he did not receive the Congressional Medal of Honor, French was awarded the second highest honor, just below the Congressional Medal of Honor, which had been given to Doris Miller. 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. Category: Historical, Navy, Valor, War Stories, We Remember. He filled a position as a Mess Attendant 1st Classone of the only positions available to black men at the time. He had been born on Sept. 25, 1919, in Foreman, Arkansas. 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 . 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. French enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1937 and served four years. French would go on to earn the name "The Human Tugboat" and garner immense respect from his fellow military peers. He was responsible for the development and construction of hundreds of public works projects during his career. 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. 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). 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. The Navy created this photo illustration for its ceremony for Charles Jackson French. 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. It would seem to me well past the point to review Frenchs case. Ensign Robert Adrian realized that the currents were pulling the lifeboat back towards a Japanese-held island. 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. There are some that estimated the time at two hours but in any case, it was a tremendous physical act of courage, keeping in mind that the enemy was still searching for them with the intent of killing them. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends. 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. 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. That led to recognition during the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials held in Omaha in 2021. Despite the fact that the Medal of Honor is extremely rare, it can be received twice. For Black History Month 2021, we focused on Black Medical Achievements, Inventors and Scientists.To see those posts, click here. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. 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. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of Frenchs relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. He is shown here later in his career, as a lieutenant commander. U.S. Navy Capt. Although he demonstrated extreme bravery, instead of the Medal of Honor, all French received was a nice letter from the U. S. Navy. 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. Continue for more information on the site and posts that may be of interest. 80 years later, Omaha hero who swam in shark-infested waters receives Navy honor. Soon after, a bill passed the Nebraska legislature to name an Omaha post office for him. 1603) On June 20, 2022, President Biden signed it into law. 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. 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. French was a swimmer who performed a heroic act that gave others another chance at life. 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. And while were at it can we please award Alwyn Cashes family his much deserved MOH.please. This story or history was written to correct one of the many wrongs in the recording of American History. The gunfire hit two of the ships boilers and the Gregory was set ablaze by the fire. Will you do the same? This post office renaming is important to his family, the community of Omaha, and the state of Nebraska. That inquiry helped bring about last weeks award ceremony. Within days, French, 22, reenlisted. Ted Carlson, commander of Naval Base San Diego. 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. Dorie Miller is the most well-known African American hero of World War II. He enjoys sports, politics, comic books, and anything that has to do with history. 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. Its wonderful news that legislation to recognize Charles Jackson Frenchs incredible heroism is headed to the presidents desk, Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer, who had introduced companion legislation in the Senate, said in a statement. 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. The VSC NAACP is in full support of Thomass campaign. He had first enlisted in the Navy in 1937 [1] and had completed his enlistment, moving to Omaha, Nebraska where he had family. The mess attended tied a rope around his waist and the boat and began the journey. If the Navy and Marine Corps Medal is appropriate for Frenchs action, and by any objective measure it would be, then he ought to get the Navy Cross of MOH. 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