When you share, or just show that you care, the heart Gibson Johns. See What AncientFaces Does to discover more about the community. The Atomic Age moved forward. On the night of September 4, 1942, during the Battle of Guadalcanal, the USS Gregory was struck by an attack from multiple Japanese destroyers. French enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1937 and served four years. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. [9], French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions. His mission was to rescue fellow soldiers. 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. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. endstream endobj 329 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/Index[37 219]/Length 30/Size 256/Type/XRef/W[1 1 1]>>stream the world learned more about the heroic swimmer. And in June 2022, President Joe Biden signed a bill renaming the US Post Office in Omaha, Nebraska, the Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French Post Office. How Charles Jackson French Became "The Human Tugboat". 2021, https://omaha.com/news/local/nebraska-reps-seek-to-name-benson-post-office-for-black-omaha-wwii-hero/article_66699ca0-d8ff-11eb-aee6-474cdd1763ba.htm; Bruce Wigo, Memorial Day Rewind: The Forgotten Hero of WWII, SwimmingWorld.com, May 30, 2021, https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/memorial-day-rewind-the-forgotten-hero-of-wwii/. 0000175553 00000 n Washington, DC -On Friday, Rep. Don Bacon (NE - 02) and Reps. Jeff Fortenberry (NE-01) and Adrian Smith (NE-03) introduced H.R. Try again later. He was born on September 25, 1919. The National Archives at College Park, College Park, Maryland. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. Many were wounded and killed. There was a problem getting your location. The leader of the Free French had arrived in Paris the previous evening, a day after his advancing . nv]Ps;d4=;.%6HF>|m}hQIk5C).vH x3F:D0efNyh>x?EKJR1Vr #i DD2o0P_zsYje!o,V SOURCE INTERNET SEARCH. The bootlegging and brothel organization was massive and when asked what he did, Capone often replied "I am just a businessman, giving the people what they want". It was an act of bravery for which his shipmates thought Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French deserved the Medal of Honor. It sold half a million copies in the first six months. 0000108198 00000 n For his actions, French received a letter of commendation from the commander of the Southern Pacific Fleet, Adm. William F. Bull Halsey. Subject specific information for the media, Events or announcements of note for the media, An official website of the United States government. He asked for help to tie a rope around his waist and towed them to safety." 256 0 obj <> endobj Contributor: Judy Borden Soos (46958020) NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent. 0000175845 00000 n 0000104051 00000 n 0000110718 00000 n 0000003092 00000 n 734 death records, 32 followers 14.9k+ favorites. French successfully brought the men to safety on the shores of the Solomon Islands. The average age of Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. endstream endobj 265 0 obj <> endobj 266 0 obj [285 0 R] endobj 267 0 obj <>stream French saved the lives of more than a dozen Sailors by swimming through the night, dragging a raft full of injured shipmates through shark-infested waters. Charles Jackson French's name might not be a household one, but he was once named the Hero of the Year by the Chicago Defender.. French, a United States Navy Messman, swam through shark-infested . During World War II Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French swam 6-8 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. This account has been disabled. charles jackson french swam 6-8 hours in 1942nd a saved 15 of his crewmates and died in 1956. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Charles Jackson French. A system error has occurred. He saved 15 shipmates by swimming six to eight hours though shark-invested waters towing a life raft. Thirteen-year-old Charlie is spared . Mess Attendant 1st Class Charles Jackson French, known only at the time by his last name, was on Gregory that night. hl/CQ?!yEAb [$~$HH5" ? If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. 0000732899 00000 n Charles Jackson French (September 25, 1919 - November 7, 1956) was a United States Navy sailor. 0000190335 00000 n By Navy standards, it would be nearly unprecedented for a subordinate to receive a higher decoration for an act of heroism comparable to that of a superior.. Pictured is Charles with his sister Viola during a public appearance at a football game in Omaha, Nebraska,1943. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to . The Navy plans to dedicate a rescue swimming training pool in May 2022 at Naval Base San Diego to French in honor of his heroic actions during the Battle of Guadalcanal. Charles French was buried at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery French was the first black swimmer to earn the Navy Medal for his heroism in 1943. Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French passed away on November 7th, 1956 at the age of 37. The commendation stated: 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. Hearing voices, he found a life raft filled with 15 wounded men. The pilot dispatched a Marine landing craft to pick them up. In most cases, African-Americans were the victims. Charles Jackson French lived Charles Jackson French (September 25, 1919 - November 7, 1956) was a United States Navy sailor. The night was black as ink and a haze was obscuring any landmarks, so the crews of Gregory and her sister ship USS Little (APD 4) were patrolling the area between Savo Island and Guadalcanal. Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 17741985, Record Group 92. With the attack on Pearl Harbor . Thanks for your help! On September 5, 1942, United States Navy Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French, of Omaha Nebraska, 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 USS Gregory was hit by Japanese naval fire near Guadalcanal. Newspaper clipping of Naval Hero, Charles Jackson French. [Charles Jackson French's name might not be a household one, but he was once named the Hero of the Year by the Chicago Defender. Its a shame that so many who served our country were left to face the mental and physical ailments war may bring in solitude. endstream endobj 257 0 obj <>/Metadata 35 0 R/Pages 34 0 R/StructTreeRoot 37 0 R/Type/Catalog/ViewerPreferences<>>> endobj 258 0 obj <>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text]/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 0/TrimBox[0.0 0.0 612.0 792.0]/Type/Page>> endobj 259 0 obj <> endobj 260 0 obj <> endobj 261 0 obj <> endobj 262 0 obj <> endobj 263 0 obj <>stream Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. AncientFaces is a place where our memories live. His father skipped out on the family when he was 10 and the boy completed his elementary education in Newark, then began college at Syracuse University but abruptly quit. Arkansas born, African American, Petty Officer First Class, Charles Jackson French didn't imagine he would be completing such a feat at just the age of 23 years-old. HTM0+|] r7CJ1qh,ofo!l22}4go5 %Y,VkWdV0Rl'GDD+"A[*qMQV.:7yj~UO8z"a)/AW_zwU(:eE>W0T x'?CsJEJ0B~|!Sed8y%>%lI8 ~f0&Y|q`e'Z3%>UJ+0Q,Oi6Z?pQYCGUw } X:jSlS8*%Qs&@SFCe1j;A*dr|JWx@!66mNs/&GAxy2 c3q:m ;">7 There are no volunteers for this cemetery. As the attacks continued and the ship began to sink, many Sailors suffered injuries. zP|CY`oRHw`)UV\[|d/X3"{JrX1}qI_ji7`;LZ2[!x7)X+f$'^"#au"jJm&?i+ Sadly, it wasnt much of a fight. In addition to the War Gum trading card, his story was told in syndicated comic strips, on calendars and he made public appearances across the country to promote the sale of War Bonds. Charles Jackson French was a United States Navy sailor. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. In many ways, Navy Messman Charles Jackson French remains an unsung hero of World War II. We have no information about Charles's family. 0000012751 00000 n 0000001833 00000 n Historian Julian Jackson, author of a major new biography of Charles de Gaulle, offers a fresh take on the iconic French leader, exploring his role in World War Two and decolonisation, among other things. He enlisted in the Navy shortly after turning 18. Learn more about managing a memorial . 4th of July 2022: Celebrating the Birth of Our Nation & Its Heroes, Military Appreciation Month 2022: Saluting Those Who Serve, Veterans Day 2022: Celebrating Those Whove Served, Meet Frank Emi, a WWII Hero You Need To Know, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the all-Black female 6888th Central Postal Battalion, demand a Congressional Medal of Honor for Petty Officer Charles Jackson French, New Study Surfaces Detailing Racial Discrimination in the Military, Here are 200 Remote Jobs for Veterans in 2023. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). The story of a Black Navy vet who saved 15 of his crewmates during World War II was only known among a few families for many years. 0000054932 00000 n And white soldiers and local white residents routinely slurred and harassed them.. DESCRIPTION. When 2 or more people share their unique perspectives, HUn0+B-Q[5PtU@$ He enlisted in the Navy shortly after turning 18. Link to family and friends whose lives he impacted. Thats an error: NYC road sign is spelled Jakie Robinson, The end of Black History Month and our challenge, Local Publishers, Deloitte to Create Business Content for Diverse Audiences, Congressman Kweisi Mfume Introduces Legislation to Commemorate African American World War II Hero Doris Miller, Towson University is trying to get ahead of the lure of sports betting, Buzzy sports betting posts appeal to Gen Z social media audience, On game day, sports betting is the new normal for some Colorado fans, Remembering Louis Sylvester Diggs, the Baltimore County historian, We Earn Our Stripes: a song for Black Americans who serve, Morgan State and Howard University among 13 institutions to receive bobbleheads in first-ever HBCU Series, Pfizer partners with communities nationwide to raise awareness of ATTR-CM, an underdiagnosed cause of heart failure among Black and Afro-Caribbean communities, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. French successfully brought the men to safety on the shores of the Solomon Islands. A few months after his 18th birthday, French joined the Navy as a Mess Attendant one of the only positions open to black men at the time. He appeared before enthusiastic crowds at bond rallies, and a high decoration seemed assured. Box 6237, in San Diego, California 92166. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. French is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California. . Postal Service held a ceremony Friday in Omaha to formally rename the Benson branch post pffice for World War II Navy veteran Charles Jackson French. 0000005681 00000 n Make sure that the file is a photo. 0000012382 00000 n Charles Jackson was first enlisted in the United States Navy in 1937 and had completed his enlistment, moving to Omaha, Nebraska where he lived with his family. Charles VII (22 February 1403 - 22 July 1461), called the Victorious (French: le Victorieux) or the Well-Served (le Bien-Servi), was King of France from 1422 to his death in 1461.. He is also recognized by the International Swimming Hall of Fame. Listen to Julian Jackson discuss Charles de Gaulle on the Bloomberg.com podcast Surveillance [at 33:20] Listen to Professor Jackson discuss de Gaulle on ABC Radio National's Between the Lines; At The Good Men Project, read Jackson on whether Emmanuel Macron might be the man to help the French people escape the long shadow of General de Gaulle OMAHA, Neb. ), American physician, chemist, and pioneer geologist and mineralogist. The AFRO provides readers with good news about the Black community not otherwise found. A classic cotton tee emblazoned with the Wikipedia article on Charles Jackson French . (j/p> dO~"$3$i'FwKk9Evhr-R|(}@4rY$^'\h? His service to this country is something that should never be forgotten, and his story is one that can inspire all of us to do good for our fellow man. Charles Jackson, one of the most successful failures in American letters, wished as fiercely as any writer for literary immortality. On the night of September 5, 1942, French was on board the U.S.S. 0000184779 00000 n French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. This browser does not support getting your location. Can You Name All 8 United States Uniformed Services? Mess Attendant 1st Class Charles Jackson French, known only at the time by his last name, was on Gregory that night. Add Charles' family friends, and his friends from childhood through adulthood. The crew of high-speed transport USS Gregory (APD 3) were returning from transferring a Marine Raider Battalion to Savo Island on the night of Sept. 4, 1942. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. French performed valiantly on September . After a Japanese attack in the Pacific during WWII, the Navy petty officer swam through shark-infested waters towing a life raft that was tied around his waist. 0000102129 00000 n Oops, we were unable to send the email. He was a powerful swimmer, and swam all night, 6 to 8 hours, until they were eventually saved by a landing craft. Despite his heroism, the ignorantly prejudiced United States all but ignored French. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner) Failed to remove flower. This he was denied, though for a brief moment in the mid-1940s . By: Aaron Sanderford - September 9, 2022 3:25 pm. He was buried in Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery Charles Jackson French - saving 15 crewmen. Search above to list available cemeteries. Where was Charles born and where did he live? At 1 a.m., the Japanese opened fire. Charles R. Jackson. Help us Continue to tell OUR Story and join the AFRO family as a member subscribers are now members! This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? He had first enlisted in the Navy in 1937[1] and had completed his enlistment, moving to Omaha, Nebraska where he had family. There was an error deleting this problem. Even after all of his heroics, once he and the others made it to a rest camp, the authorities at this camp insisted on having French segregated from the whites in the group. Help paint a picture of Charles so that he is always remembered. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Charles Jackson French I found on Findagrave.com. These flares became a backdrop for the silhouettes of Gregory and Little who now became the targets of the Japanese destroyers and a Japanese cruiser that had joined them. when he died at the age of 37. 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