He was celebrated in the Black press and was even the subject of a syndicated comic strip. 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. On Thursday, a billto rename the Benson postal facility at 6223 Maple St. the Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French Post Office cleared the Senate by a unanimous vote. Her husband, Floyd, has served on the Caroline Board of Supervisors for. Within days, French, 22, reenlisted. 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. Proclamations naming the Benson post office in his uncle's honor are featured on easels in front of the stage. 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 [just] froze and tried to surface and float, [get] my feet outta the water.. Dismiss. Correction: This story has been corrected to state that the bill passed by the Senate was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Don Bacon. The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. James McBride, journalist, musician, and son, explores his mothers past, as well as his own upbringing and heritage, in a poignant and powerful debut, The Color of Water: A Black Mans Tribute to His White Mother. He received an honorable discharge on November 11, 1941, but re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor. French made public appearances after the rescue, including attending a Creighton University football game with his sister in 1942. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of French's relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. Navy officials escorted members of Frenchs family to his gravesite at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, on San Diegos Point Loma peninsula. His heroism was recognized in popular culture, though. Or even going back to the 90s when a lot of this (blacks finally getting the awards they deserve) started to happen. 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. This is his jaw-dropping story. This request was also forwarded to the National NAACP office asking for a resolution to be adopted. Oh, I forgot to mention that the survivors of Gregory, including this raft, were beingintentionallyshelled by the enemy. Miller wasnt the only African-American hero of World War II, though. Please subscribe to keep reading. 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. Their orders were to man a curtain of armed balloons meant to deter enemy aircraft. 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. Chester French, nephew of Charles Jackson French, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. 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. This man did as much if not more than a medic often does to save 15 of his comrades from capture, while being actively shelled, in shark infested waters. The ultimate insult! 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. Charles Jackson French died in 1956 and is buried in Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California. It will inspire generations of sailors, he said. Growing Up and Early Naval Days. A little more than a week after Thomas first called the Senators office, Kaine wrote letters to President Joe Biden concerning Miller and French. Racism preventing awarding a medal? The event was held as part of events hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs in observance of Black History Month. During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. Charles Jackson (MEng, DIS, MINCOSE) Expand search. I like TOWs suggestion too. Future Hero of the Heartland events may be held during other heritage months to celebrate heroes among a broad array of diverse ethnic groups. Charles Jackson French, an African American orphan and champion-caliber swimmer, navigated shark-infested waters for about eight hours during World War II on a frigid September 1942 night to pull to safety a raft of 15 sailors. 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. 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. 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 became famous after his commander, Ensign Robert Adrian, told the story on a radio program broadcast across the country. You can use a link to tennis shoes to buy a refrigerator or anything else. 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. 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 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. 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. A Change.org petition also was started Monday, urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of Honor. French successfully brought the men to safety on the shores of the Solomon Islands. You gotta be kidding me. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. The information that we present to everyone is extremely important, and a small donation can help us keep it that way. No medal. Bloomsbury presents Immortal Valor by Robert Child, read by Vaughn Johseph. . 80 years later, Omaha hero who swam in shark-infested waters receives Navy honor. After he began swimming, he soon encountered sharks. Charles Jackson French, an African American orphan, and championship-caliber swimmer navigated shark infested waters for about eight hours during. Either wouldeasilybe warranted in my opinion. Copyrighted content researched and produced by DragonDen Productions ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. After the death of his parents, he lived with his older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. To see the posts, click here. Charles French was born on September 25, 1919, in Foreman, Arkansas. There is a campaign requesting a Congressional Medal of Honor is awarded to French. The gunfire hit two of the ships boilers and the Gregory was set ablaze by the fire. 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. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. There was a problem saving your notification. The story of Charles Jackson French is little known and marred by the inevitable racism that permeates our history in America. The night that propelled Charles Jackson French into the role of hero was September 5, 1942, when enemy bombs sank the U.S.S. We receive a small royalty without cost to you. www.epmcknight.wixsite.epfitspiration Follow me: Tiktok, imdb.me/epmcknight. In 1945, when Congress began reviewing the record of the most conspicuous acts of courage by American soldiers during World War II, they recommended awarding the Medal of Honor to 432 recipients. In 2011, the National Board of the NAACP passed a resolution requesting the Medal Of Honor for Doris (Dorie) Miller. In addition to newspaper and radio accounts, his story was told in bubble gum cards, comic strips, a calendar, even a verse by a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet. Kudos to the man that stepped up and saved himself and others from the awful fate of becoming Jap POWs. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. U.S. Navy Capt. 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 only took 3 minutes for the ship to sink. Bonus- The Story of Charles Jackson French. 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. Dorie Miller is the most well-known African American hero of World War II. 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. If you have a story idea, news tip, or other question, please email the UNO News team at [email protected]. A man willing to fight in defense of his country. During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. 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. Now, 80 years later, the Navy is finally catching up. Charles Jackson French, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 77 on June 17th, 2020. These sailors and soldiers were welcomed back to American soil with signs that pointed one way for Whites and the other way for Blacks. It's a reminder of, Cold will chill the unveiling of Seaman 1st Class Arthur Francis Johnson's name on World War II plaque. Perhaps racism played a role in French not receiving proper recognition. He was a true patriot whose dedication and dedication to country served as a model for future generations. Charles Jackson French saved 15 men from the USS Gregory in September of 1942. Ted Carlson, commander of Naval Base San Diego, which makes this recognition of Charles (Jackson) Frenchs heroic actions even more significant.. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. 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, Calls to recognize black WWII hero shed light on feat of heroism, Omaha-native Charles Jackson French is credited with saving his entire crew while serving in the U.S. Navy. The waters were shark-infested. Despite the fact that the Medal of Honor is extremely rare, it can be received twice. It took so long.. He quickly went to work pulling other sailors aboard with him. It is time to honor those who deserve honor! 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. For Black History Month 2022 we focused on Health and Wellness in the Black Community. The New York Times best-selling story from the author of The Good Lord Bird, winner of the 2013 National Book Award for Fiction. 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. 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. 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. I was elated, said Chester French Jr. of Omaha, Charles nephew, who attended along with several other French family members. 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. Days later, he went down to his local recruitment office and reenlisted. On September 4th of 1942, the USS Gregory found itself under attack from Japanese destroyers. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of Frenchs relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. A self-declared light-skinned woman evasive about her ethnicity, yet steadfast in her love for her 12 Black children. Charles Jackson French: Hero Without a Medal. Virginia NAACP President Robert Barnette was pleased to have his Executive Committee give its unanimous support to Mrs. Thomas effort. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. This is a close as you can get to a system of slavery as it is forced on the service member. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends. To comment or make suggestions on future posts, use Contact Us. Its the kind of narrative that captures your imagination regardless of which side of the aisle you are on., Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia has supported Thomas request. Your email address will not be published. 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. A pool used to train rescue swimmers at Naval Base San Diego also was named in Frenchs honor at the ceremony. Despite the fact that more than one million African Americans served, not a single Black soldier received the Medal of Honor. Although he demonstrated extreme bravery, instead of the Medal of Honor, all French received was a nice letter from the U. S. Navy. Well, that was the racism of the times, one has to admit. In cases where you shop at Amazon for example you are encouraged to use our links anytime you shop there. 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. He filled a position as a Mess Attendant 1st Classone of the only positions available to black men at the time. Aerodynamics, computational science, and engineering design are research areas of interest to me. Adrian retired from the Navy in 1966 and died in 2011, without succeeding. {{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? Perhaps it was that he wasnt considered to be in combat. 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. 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. 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