charles jackson french medal of honor

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its education programs or activities, including admissions and employment. To see these posts, click this link, For Womens History Month 2022 we featured 31 amazing Black women we should all know. USA Swimming honored him at the finals of the 2021 Swim Trials in June. U . 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. He told Adrian, Just keep telling me if Im going the right way. Once daylight broke, the raft was spotted by a scout plane, and a landing crew was sent out to rescue them. The Virginia NAACP is anticipating their favorable response. Perhaps racism played a role in French not receiving proper recognition. Virginia NAACP President Robert Barnette was pleased to have his Executive Committee give its unanimous support to Mrs. Thomas effort. 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. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. 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. This button displays the currently selected search type. 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. This request was also forwarded to the National NAACP office asking for a resolution to be adopted. Will definitely agree that he earned a higher award than was given. 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. 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. 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. Itwould ef. 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. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. 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. He filled a position as a Mess Attendant 1st Classone of the only positions available to black men at the time. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends. 1603) On June 20, 2022, President Biden signed it into law. This meant that if there were family members they had to live in ghettos like the general public. The omission remained on the record for more than four decades. Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. towing a boat of wounded survivors by himself i.imgur.com/P1mQDe. French was a swimmer who performed a heroic act that gave others another chance at life. Brown noted that, with Frenchs name and photo attached to the Navy pool, his story will be told well into the future. During the attack on the USS Gregory, a destroyer, he was aboard in 1943. Thomas is also requesting support from the citizens as well as other groups and veterans organizations to ensure that Mr. Miller and Mr. French are properly recognized for their contributions to this country by making phone calls or sending letters to members of congress and the senate. 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. 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. 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. French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Don Bacon,cleared the House of Representatives in March. His wife, Linda, called the event just awesome., It makes you want to cry, she said. 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. The inaugural Hero of the Heartland event, hosted by UNOs Office of Multicultural Affairs and UNOs Military-Connected Resource Center, honored a World War II hero whose acts have been largely forgotten for decades. During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. After his military service, French developed alcoholism and depression. It is the service's highest award for noncombat heroism . Im proud we could come together to recognize his legacy of service and sacrifice.. Apparently part of the reason that he did not receive an award was that the Navy was reluctant to give him a medal equal or higher to what his ships commander received, and he was killed in the action. 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. I nearly peed on myself when one of them sharks [touched] my feet. The wording of the letter follows. Yet, history has overlooked him. Charles Jackson French is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California. Use our links to Amazon anytime you shop Amazon. He was born in Foreman, Arkansas on September 25, 1919. We also posted a 5 part mini-series on the 100th anniversary of one of the most horrific massacres in the history of America. I was elated, said Chester French Jr. of Omaha, Charles nephew, who attended along with several other French family members. Charles Jackson French died in 1956 and is buried in Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California. 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. . Charles Jackson (MEng, DIS, MINCOSE) Expand search. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. 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. If they floated ashore, an ensign on the raft later said, they would be taken as prisoners of war, according to an article on the International Swimming Hall of Fames website. The actions of the French will never be forgotten, as will their ultimate sacrifice. 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. Charles Jackson French was discharged from the Navy on Nov. 13, 1941, but reenlisted a month later after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Change.org Uh oh. Charles French managed to load fifteen injured crew members onto a life raft and then tied a rope to the raft and secured the other end to his waist, after which he swam for eight hours through shark-infested water until they were rescued, but received no recommendation for the Medal of Honor. While the ship attempted to fight back, the enemy fire was too much. The Color of Water: A Black Mans Tribute to His White Mother. 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. You must know this HERO Charles Jackson French, Charles Jackson French survived the destruction of the USS Gregory and then swam for hours dragging a life raft full of his shipmates through Shark infested waters. A Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of French's relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. The ensign told French the plan was crazy, that they were surrounded by sharks and he would only get himself killed. Born in a small town in California, Charles was a man of many talents. He was recognized locally in September 2022 with the renaming of a Benson post office in his honor. 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. We know of this story because of the courage demonstrated by Ensign Robert N Adrian, the only officer from the bridge of the Gregory to survive. Yeah, I know, not with this illegitimate regime in place. It will inspire generations of sailors, he said. Aboard a lift raft with several other sailors and drifting towards enemy-held islands, French volunteered to tow the raft himself by swimming. 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. Teachers are pumped. Still, a letter of commendation is completely inadequate for what French did and I dont buy that this cant be considered combat. Of the many acts of bravery among the men of Gregory during its final battle (including the mortally wounded skipper ordering his crew to abandon him and help other wounded, never to be seen again) was Charles French. Nothing of value. 6001 Dodge Street, Chester French, nephew of Charles Jackson French, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. 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 . Enter your email address below to receive updates each time we publish new content. This might be the first time I agree with Malcolm Nance. French was also the only African American to appear on World War II patriotic trading cards issued by GUM, Inc. He swam six to eight hours in shark-infested waters before being rescued by marines on a navy landing craft. . Correction: This story has been corrected to state that the bill passed by the Senate was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Don Bacon. 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. While it is great to receive these honors think how much better it would have been to the generations who were denied knowledge and inspiration from a true hero! 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