0000190335 00000 n 0000190410 00000 n 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. French was an unassuming 58 and 195 pounds when Navy Ensign Robert Adrian, with injuries in his legs and blast fragments in his eyes, regained consciousness and saw French swimming around and gathering injured shipmates to pile onto a raft. 0000190805 00000 n His mission was to rescue fellow soldiers. Box 6237, in San Diego, California. based on information from your browser. Washington, DC -On Friday, Rep. Don Bacon (NE - 02) and Reps. Jeff Fortenberry (NE-01) and Adrian Smith (NE-03) introduced H.R. Instead, the Navy sent him a nice letter. 0000104051 00000 n Pictured is Charles with his sister Viola during a public appearance at a football game in Omaha, Nebraska,1943. French was lucky enough to escape without much harm and began gathering injured Sailors to put into a raft. Charles' immediate relatives including parents, siblings, partnerships and children in the French family tree. Friends can be as close as family. 0000009327 00000 n 0000125864 00000 n Uline Arena Building 0000000016 00000 n There was a problem getting your location. African American History: Research Guides & Websites, Global African History: Research Guides & Websites, African American Scientists and Technicians of the Manhattan Project, Envoys, Diplomatic Ministers, & Ambassadors, https://omaha.com/news/local/history/back-in-the-day-oct-30-1942-omahas-hero-of-the-solomon-islands-returns-home/article_ef06042c-2788-11ec-a5e1-4b1dd928d8f4.html, 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, https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/memorial-day-rewind-the-forgotten-hero-of-wwii/, Foundation, Organization, and Corporate Supporters. This account has been disabled. A Black man serving in the segregated armed forces, French was credited with saving wounded shipmates during WWII. Men who were returning from World War I needed jobs and there was competition for those jobs among the races. Photos, memories, family stories & discoveries are unique to you, and only you can control. In 1925, Charles was just 6 years old when gangster Al "Scarface" Capone took over the Chicago bootlegging racket at age 26. 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. A Navy messman, French courageously acted after the Japanese navy struck a U.S. ship in the South Pacific during the . [2] His family moved to Newark, New York in 1907, and nine years later his older sister, Thelma, and younger brother, Richard, were killed while riding in a car that was struck by an express train. On the night of September 4, 1942, during the Battle of Guadalcanal, the USS Gregory was struck by an attack from multiple Japanese destroyers. Despite African American soldiers eagerness to fight in World War II, the same Jim Crow discrimination in society was practiced in every branch of the armed forces, historians at the website wrote. Make sure that the file is a photo. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. Add Charles' family friends, and his friends from childhood through adulthood. Charles Jackson French (September 25, 1919 - November 7, 1956) was a United States Navy sailor. Charles Jackson French was a United States Navy sailor. Not many people can say they have swam for 6-8 hours straight while tugging a raft full of 24 wounded men away from Japanese capture and through shark infested waters to safety, but Charles Jackson French can. endstream endobj 271 0 obj <>stream 0000190880 00000 n He was buried in Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery 0000163762 00000 n Foreman, Little River County, Arkansas, USA, San Diego, San Diego County, California, USA. Close. Unlock the mysteries of your family history and explore the rich tapestry of your past with AncientFaces. On September 5, 1942, United States Navy Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson Fr. We have no information about Charles's family. endstream endobj 265 0 obj <> endobj 266 0 obj [285 0 R] endobj 267 0 obj <>stream HUKo0WEo@-0cmVbHJO40`~H#)QzU2:A./nnIyU$"b}V$9,%,L3SBC.F6k*\f0tJ-. His bravery, heroism, and toughness are a testament to the best in mankind even when mankind isnt being its best. Branch of service: Us Navy All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. r\a W+ Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? (U.S. Navy) 27 Apr 2021 French, an orphan described as a human tugboat, received a royal welcome from citizens of all races in his sister Violas hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. 0000055359 00000 n Ferdinand Mount, London Review of Books "Jackson's riveting biography of Charles de Gaulleportrays a divisive, self-contradictory but still legendary figure; the book also vividly profiles twentieth-century France from the disillusionment of the First World War to the dislocations of the 1960s." 563. Outgunned, Gregory only lasted three minutes from the time the flares were dropped to the time she began to sink. After sunrise, French and his fellow Sailors were spotted and eventually rescued. [10], In June 2022, President Biden signed into law (H.R.4168) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6223 Maple Street, in Omaha, Nebraska, as the Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French Post Office.[11]. 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. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/72213738/charles-jackson-french. He had first enlisted in the navy in 1937 and had completed his enlistment, moving to Omaha, Nebraska where he had family. Jump in and swim for two hours straight, then come back and tell us how you feel. Buddy Blouin is a content writer that loves creating through the written word. He served in the Navy, becoming a true war hero in 1942. Photograph: JEAN-JACQUES LEVY/AP After the death of his parents, he lived with his older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. Your donation is fully tax-deductible. BY ANCESTRY.COM, Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery i6 oSs$tXE`q8X4A`q8X4][D28c}SKYjn1gwQ]7/ O (j/p> dO~"$3$i'FwKk9Evhr-R|(}@4rY$^'\h? We havent even mentioned the racism yet. On the night of September 4, 1942, during the Battle of Guadalcanal, the USS Gregory was struck by an attack from multiple Japanese destroyers. He had first enlisted in the Navy in 1937[1] and had completed his enlistment, moving to Omaha, Nebraska where he had family. Regardless of the region, at all the bases there were separate blood banks, hospitals or wards, medical staff, barracks and recreational facilities for Black soldiers. This was during a period of American history when segregation was active, which means black men and white men were not permitted to swim together, even during Navy swim calls in the ocean. The first is unexpected: on a leisurely ride in 1916, Jackson's older sister and younger brother are killed when a train strikes their car. 0000011569 00000 n Abandon ship! "Once Charles Jackson French was identified, he became a national hero. 0000164084 00000 n Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. Charles Jackson French (September 25, 1919 - November 7, 1956) was a United States Navy sailor. Thirteen-year-old Charlie is spared . ), American physician, chemist, and pioneer geologist and mineralogist. On September 5, 1942, U.S. Navy Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French navigated through shark-infested waters with a rope around his waist, towing 15 wounded sailors to safety from the . It sold half a million copies in the first six months. Charles French was buried at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery Your Scrapbook is currently empty. Interview by . This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. Search above to list available cemeteries. He later received the Navy Cross. Family members linked to this person will appear here. It didnt stop the Foreman, Ark., native and avid swimmer since the age of 8, from tying a rope around his waist, jumping into the waters and defying the multitude of sharks that hungrily searched for prey. m>5(hWbr09kl~UY_+`/Nm3nkJ@/9ByIm%*lnQylK1i%{#iptztv2l#1!@9P zk2zdhCF d8znYGE(0Lt(C5M3F+|tx$Cwp5rqbCL lHo5V}U; GW@OV-'ig%}6;]/kUuFX=ue` ^ 0000189006 00000 n 0000006232 00000 n 0000004758 00000 n An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. As noted at history.com, the 1.2 million African Americans who served in World War II fought for democracy overseas while being treated as second-class citizens by their own country. He gave his country two decades of prosperity under a stable, authoritarian government but . In most cases, African-Americans were the victims. Who were the people in Charles' life? 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 . Understanding the actions French took for them, the crew became angry, demanded that French wasnt leaving, and stated that anyone who had a problem could catch hands. As is the case with many African Americans who served America during the time, Charles Jackson French is a name that more people should know. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. If you are interested, you are suggested to go through this video, Charles Jackson French Cause of Death.Post going through the entire video, you will get a better idea about the real and accurate news. The Arkansas native had moved to Omaha to live with his sister as a youth after his . There was an error deleting this problem. Failed to report flower. French was the first black swimmer to earn the Navy Medal for his heroism in 1943.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 safety.Ensign Adrian was the only one on the bridge to survive and floated over into the water as the ship sank below him. SOURCE INTERNET SEARCH. 0000190535 00000 n 35 years shorter than I swear, our ancestors were built different Military.com article Navy May Recognize Black WWII Sailor Who Towed Wounded Shipmates Through Shark-Infested Waters Charles Jackson French of Foreman, Arkansas, became a national hero after the destroyer Gregory was sunk Sept. 5, 1942, by. Following his re-enlistment, Charles Jackson French was assigned to the USS Gregory as a Steward's Mate 1st class. Washington, DC 20002, Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent, AFRO endorsements for the 2022 midterm elections, A time to dance: Rev. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. In addition, Rep. Bacon, a retired Air Force brigadier general, has petitioned the navy, asking for French to be considered for a posthumous medal of honor. Share memories and family stories, photos, or ask questions. "Then French volunteered to swim the raft away from shore. 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. 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. 0000004154 00000 n Sadly, it wasnt much of a fight. He was born in Arkansas on 25 September 1919. A small donation would help us keep this available to all. STEWARDS MATE 1/C US NAVY Charles R. Jackson was born in Summit, New Jersey on April 6, 1903, the son of Frederick George and Sarah Williams Jackson. He made his first comedy sketch "What I Would Love To Hear In Class" on February 6, 2016 . Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. Charles Jackson French passed away on November 7, 1956 at age 37. After his parents died, he moved to Omaha, Nebraska, to live with his sister. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. (Photo: Pinterest / Mia Corseca), By Stacy M. Brown [2] With the attack on Pearl Harbor, French went to the closest recruitment office, and on December 19, 1941, re-enlisted in the United States Navy. A generation of Baby Boomers were raised by the advice of Dr. Spock. 0000110683 00000 n 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. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. 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He was celebrated in the black press and was even the subject of a syndicated comic strip. Adrian, though superficially wounded, was able to hang on. With gunfire continuing all around them, French, a nearly 23-year-old Black man who wasnt even permitted to swim with his fellow white Sailors during training, tied a rope around his waist, tied the rope to the raft, and began to swim. He died on November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California; he was only 37 years old. French successfully brought these men to safety on the shores of The Solomon Islands. French was memorialized on War Gum trading cards, in syndicated comic strips, on calendars, and The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. French was a black man born in Foreman, Arkansas, Sept. 25, 1919. . . or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. GREAT NEWS! Since 2018 there has been renewed interest in recognizing Charles Frenchs heroism more appropriately. The bill can now proceed to the Senate floor. However, as in the case of many other African-American war heroes, he would receive a lesser reward than anticipated. French was the first black swimmer to earn the Navy Medal for his heroism in 1943. 0000125572 00000 n We have set your language to French was the first black swimmer to earn the Navy Medal for his heroism in 1943. He received an honorable discharge on November 11, 1941, but re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor. In many ways, Navy Messman Charles Jackson French remains an unsung hero of World War II. Gregory was hit by Japanese naval fire in the South Pacific. 0000010538 00000 n 0000175845 00000 n BlackPast.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and our EIN is 26-1625373. 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