www.epmcknight.wixsite.epfitspiration Follow me: Tiktok, imdb.me/epmcknight. Author and Navy veteran Malcolm Nance got the services attention Sunday when he tagged several official accounts in a Twitter post about French. He was a talented carpenter, a skilled handyman, and a master of DIY projects. A little more than a week after Thomas first called the Senators office, Kaine wrote letters to President Joe Biden concerning Miller and French. His work has been featured in psfk.com, foxsports.com, politicususa.com and hillreporter.com. I like TOWs suggestion too. This is the story of the Stewards, Cooks and Messboys who manned that branch of naval service. When the sailors were rescued, the Master at Arms attempted to separate French from the men he had just saved. 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 . The ultimate insult! To comment or make suggestions on future posts, use Contact Us. GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS These sailors and soldiers were welcomed back to American soil with signs that pointed one way for Whites and the other way for Blacks. This post office renaming is important to his family, the community of Omaha, and the state of Nebraska. BZ PO1 French! The Southern.Life is a publication of Emerson Parker Press, which is owned and operated by Jim Harris and his wife, Marian. French had only been out of the Navy for a couple of months when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. The Color of Water: A Black Mans Tribute to His White Mother. It is time to honor those who deserve honor! Yeah, I know, not with this illegitimate regime in place. He swam six to eight hours in shark-infested waters before being rescued by marines on a navy landing craft. After his military service, French developed alcoholism and depression. 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. You can try refreshing the page, and if you're still having problems, just try again later. I [just] froze and tried to surface and float, [get] my feet outta the water.. charles jackson french swam 6-8 hours in 1942nd a saved 15 of his crewmates and died in 1956. 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French was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal in recognition of his bravery and combat action. 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. Retroactive to 7 December 1941, the criteria and procedure for award of the medal were likely not yet formalized when word of Frenchs heroics came in. He was only referred to as French on the card, though. https://chng.it/F8y8w5n2 via @Change But French said he wasnt afraid. They were spotted and rescued by friendly forces when racism reared its ugly head. A man discriminated against by the country that he loved, was willing to put his life on the line for. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends. 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. You have permission to edit this article. The first was an enlistment was in 1937 when he served four years before receiving an honorable discharge in 1941. Charles Jackson French: Hero Without a Medal. Dismiss. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of Frenchs relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. 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. Continue for more information on the site and posts that may be of interest. The link to these posts is here. This is his jaw-dropping story. 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. We're doing our best to get things working smoothly! Dismiss. But after his parents died, he moved to. 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. Benjamin Selph shares recognition for Charles Jackson French on behalf of the Navy. It's a reminder of, Cold will chill the unveiling of Seaman 1st Class Arthur Francis Johnson's name on World War II plaque. U.S. Navy sailor Charles Jackson French saved 15 shipmates by dragging a life raft through shark-infested waters after the Japanese sank the USS Gregory in 1942. . He deserves at least the Navy Cross. And while were at it can we please award Alwyn Cashes family his much deserved MOH.please. The Hero of the Heartland event will honor additional local heroes in the coming years. Inaction has been a great injustice to the goodly Sergeants bravery and sacrifice, for him and his Troops. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. A Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates. He remembers meeting his uncle during World War II just after the famous rescue and being inspired to learn to swim. To see this mini-series, click here. In San Diego in 2022, French's family was presented with his posthumous Navy and Marine Corps medal. French was a swimmer who performed a heroic act that gave others another chance at life. As one of the survivors, French found himself in the water on a life raft. 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. This is a close as you can get to a system of slavery as it is forced on the service member. ** Charles Jackson French saved 15 men from the USS Gregory in September of 1942. We also posted a 5 part mini-series on the 100th anniversary of one of the most horrific massacres in the history of America. Bacon, R-Neb., had written a letter to the acting secretary of the Navy a year ago, asking for a review of Frenchs file to determine whether he had received the proper awards. Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. Bill to honor World War II hero Charles Jackson French at Omaha post office signed into law Updated: 6:46 PM CDT Jun 15, 2022 Infinite Scroll Enabled KETV Staff Report Show Transcript. His story was largely forgotten until Bruce Wigo, a former director of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, unearthed it several years ago. "The country did . towing a boat of wounded survivors by himself i.imgur.com/P1mQDe. This to the scientific notationed! French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates. 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. Chester French, nephew of Charles Jackson French, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. 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 story of Frenchs bravery was celebrated at the time but then largely forgotten for decades. 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. During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. 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. 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. Adrian retired from the Navy in 1966 and died in 2011, without succeeding. The Virginia NAACP is anticipating their favorable response. Dismiss. Their orders were to man a curtain of armed balloons meant to deter enemy aircraft. French was the first black swimmer to earn the Navy Medal for his heroism in 1943. 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. Ted Carlson, commander of Naval Base San Diego, which makes this recognition of Charles (Jackson) Frenchs heroic actions even more significant.. 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. 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. More at the source. After tying him off, French swam through shark infested waters for 6-8 hours until an American landing craft found them. I know that lots of guys missed out on medals for one reason or another, but for him to be recognized at the time for risking life (from nature) to avoid having his companions killed by direct action or by being taken prisoner of the Japanese and to just get a letter seems more than just an over-site. It took so long.. Lets get this HERO the Medal of Honor, Forgotten: The Untold Story of D-days Black Heroes, at Home and at War. Charles Jackson French, an African American orphan, and championship-caliber swimmer navigated shark infested waters for about eight hours during. In May 2022, the Navy finally presented French'srelatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal in recognition of his heroics. As a result, he is an inspiring example of the bravery and commitment of our youth. You can use a link to tennis shoes to buy a refrigerator or anything else. Though the survivors felt French deserved a Medal of Honor or at least a Silver Star, the Swimming Hall of Fame story states, he never received either. The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to a Black man. During World War II, he served as a U.S. sailor. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. 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. He told the story frequently to family and tried for the rest of his life to get Charles Jackson French, the mess attendant, who was from Omaha, the valor award he was denied during the war. The event was held as part of events hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs in observance of Black History Month. French would go on to earn the name "The Human Tugboat" and garner immense respect from his fellow military peers. 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. Notably, the letter reduced the hours French spent swimming from six-eight to two. 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. The New York Times best-selling story from the author of The Good Lord Bird, winner of the 2013 National Book Award for Fiction. He had first enlisted in the Navy in 1937 [1] and had completed his enlistment, moving to Omaha, Nebraska where he had family. This denied qualified service members training that could be used after the military. The mess attended tied a rope around his waist and the boat and began the journey. 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. Phone: 402-444-1186. 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. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. 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. 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. Will you do the same? Now, 80 years later, the Navy is finally catching up. French became famous after his commander, Ensign Robert Adrian, told the story on a radio program broadcast across the country. Todd Neikirk is a New Jersey-based politics, entertainment and history writer. 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. 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. Future Hero of the Heartland events may be held during other heritage months to celebrate heroes among a broad array of diverse ethnic groups. In the early hours of June 6, 1944, the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, a unit of African American soldiers, landed on the beaches of France. Chester French, nephew of Charles Jackson French, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. 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. 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. Darn guys a stud. urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of Honor . S. House of Representatives: Demand a Congressional Medal of Honor for Petty Officer Charles Jackson French - Sign the Petition! Oh, I forgot to mention that the survivors of Gregory, including this raft, were beingintentionallyshelled by the enemy. 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. His family was presented with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal, and a swimming pool used for training at the Naval Base San Diego was dedicated in his honor in May 2022. French, a strong swimmer since youth, volunteered to swim the boat away from the Japanese island. Your email address will not be published. Thats when French a 22-year-old sailor in the racially segregated messman branch volunteered to tow them to safety, the article states. The International Swimming Hall of Fame had this painting created of French, one of the most famous Black heroes of World War II. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. Despite the fact that the Medal of Honor is extremely rare, it can be received twice. I was elated, said Chester French Jr. of Omaha, Charles nephew, who attended along with several other French family members. sliewer@owh.com; twitter.com/Steve Liewer. 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. During the attack on the USS Gregory, a destroyer, he was aboard in 1943. The wording of the letter follows. 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