Charles Jackson French was an American war hero from Foreman, Arkansas. Dismiss. Its wonderful news that legislation to recognize Charles Jackson Frenchs incredible heroism is headed to the presidents desk, Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer, who had introduced companion legislation in the Senate, said in a statement. His story was largely forgotten until Bruce Wigo, a former director of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, unearthed it several years ago. I was elated, said Chester French Jr. of Omaha, Charles nephew, who attended along with several other French family members. He deserves at least the Navy Cross. 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. In this story can be found the heretofore-unwritten chapters of one phase of the Negroes march toward freedom in America, written by a man who participated in it. Category: Historical, Navy, Valor, War Stories, We Remember. Lets get this HERO the Medal of Honor, Forgotten: The Untold Story of D-days Black Heroes, at Home and at War. 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! His work has been featured in psfk.com, foxsports.com, politicususa.com and hillreporter.com. For generations, those of us native to the South have taken great pride in our heritage, our traditions, and in the telling of our stories. Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. 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. That led to recognition during the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials held in Omaha in 2021. Interspersed in these are items from partners with Amazing Black History that allow you to support our work without cost to you as we are paid a small royalty by the partner. They were spotted and rescued by friendly forces when racism reared its ugly head. You gotta be kidding me. 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. 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. We also did a mini-series on the Schomburg Center for Research a most amazing collection of Black history and culture. Who is Ruth McBride Jordan? The first was an enlistment was in 1937 when he served four years before receiving an honorable discharge in 1941. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has continued its advocacy work in the Commonwealth of Virginia since 1935 through the Virginia State Conference. A 1943 "True Comics" account of the valor of Charles Jackson French after his ship was sunk at Guadalcanal. Its a story of the best of who we are.. While the sailors in the life raft were off the burning ship, they were still in deep trouble. The server is misbehaving. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. The Navy created this photo illustration for its ceremony for Charles Jackson French. In cases where you shop at Amazon for example you are encouraged to use our links anytime you shop there. 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. Perhaps it was that he wasnt considered to be in combat. Phone: 402-444-1186. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. It is not necessary to purchase the item in the link. GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS Navy Chief of Information Rear Adm. Charles Brown retweeted the post, thanking Nance for highlighting Frenchs heroic story and promising to work with Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday to see whether the service could do anything more to recognize the sailor. The award was presented on May 21, 2022, at Naval Base San Diego, at a ceremony in which the bases rescue swimmer training pool was dedicated in his honor. 80 years later, Omaha hero who swam in shark-infested waters receives Navy honor. 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. French, who moved to Omaha as a teen, first enlisted in the US Navy in 1937. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends. This sounds horrendous and it was, but it is just one example of the horrors of war that greeted Black soldiers who had risked their lives for their country with the goal of making it an equitable society for all. This was one of the few assignments available to Black troops and included stevedores, stewards. 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 was a generous and kind soul who was always willing to lend a helping hand. He was awarded both the Army and Navy Medal of Honor, the French Mdaille militaire and Croix de Guerre as well as decorations from Italy, Montenegro and Portugal. Charles Jackson (MEng, DIS, MINCOSE) Expand search. Several San Diego Navy leaders spoke. https://chng.it/F8y8w5n2 via @Change Required fields are marked *. Weeks later, he told the story of a heroic mess attendant named "French" who towed a raft full of about 15 wounded sailors including Adrian all night through shark-filled waters until they were rescued. A pool and a letter of commendation dont seem like enough for this true American hero. That inquiry helped bring about last weeks award ceremony. This is a close as you can get to a system of slavery as it is forced on the service member. I got the hell scared outta me, French told Chester Wright, author of the 2009 book Black Men and Blue Water, in an interview after the Korean War. Darn guys a stud. . French had been hailed as the hero of the Solomon Islands after the sinking of his ship, the USS Gregory, on Sept. 5, 1942, near Guadalcanal. Charles Jackson French, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 77 on June 17th, 2020. He also had a passion for gardening and was an avid reader. USA Swimming honored him at the finals of the 2021 Swim Trials in June. But after his parents died, he moved to. Hundreds of Blacks were slaughtered and 10,000 left homeless in this largely unknown event. The Southern.Life is a publication of Emerson Parker Press, which is owned and operated by Jim Harris and his wife, Marian. 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. A man willing to fight in defense of his country. Charles Jackson French is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California. It only took 3 minutes for the ship to sink. We're doing our best to get things working smoothly! Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. Their orders were to man a curtain of armed balloons meant to deter enemy aircraft. He deserves a higher award, and a destroyer named in his honor. We depend on your support and thank you for it! He was a true patriot whose dedication and dedication to country served as a model for future generations. Copyrighted content researched and produced by DragonDen Productions ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Virginia NAACP President Robert Barnette was pleased to have his Executive Committee give its unanimous support to Mrs. Thomas effort. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. Teachers are pumped. To see the posts, click here. A world class collection of Black History inspired by a 5th grade teacher who told Arturo Schomburg that there was NO African history. 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. Itwould ef. French finished a four-year Navy tour in November 1941 and was visiting family in Omaha when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. 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. The event, held Feb. 9, 2023 in UNOs Milo Bail Student Center, honored Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French for his tremendous bravery and efforts in World War II. 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. During World War I he served under the name Charles F. Hoffman. Organizations such as the National Coalition of Black Veteran Organizations have also shown their support. Keith Station, deputy chief of staff for diversity, equity, & inclusion for the City of Omaha, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. He quickly went to work pulling other sailors aboard with him. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. He was celebrated in the Black press and was even the subject of a syndicated comic strip. 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. He disrobed and with assistance tied the tow rope around his waist and swam what is estimated to be six to eight hours. Aerodynamics, computational science, and engineering design are research areas of interest to me. Bloomsbury presents Immortal Valor by Robert Child, read by Vaughn Johseph. 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French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. French, who moved to Omaha as a teen, first enlisted in the US Navy in 1937. BZ PO1 French! It is the service's highest award for noncombat heroism . When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. Charles French was born on September 25, 1919, in Foreman, Arkansas. But French said he wasnt afraid. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. Ted Carlson, commander of Naval Base San Diego, which makes this recognition of Charles (Jackson) Frenchs heroic actions even more significant.. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of French's relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. 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. You can cancel at any time. Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French swam through shark-infested waters for hours while towing a raft loaded with 15 of his wounded USS Gregory shipmates. And while were at it can we please award Alwyn Cashes family his much deserved MOH.please. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to a Black man. Charles Jackson French is another unsung Black veteran who demonstrated extreme heroism after his ship was attacked in the early morning of September 5, 1942. charles jackson french swam 6-8 hours in 1942nd a saved 15 of his crewmates and died in 1956. This button displays the currently selected search type. This is the story of the Stewards, Cooks and Messboys who manned that branch of naval service. During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. I think I would lean toward Medal of Honor just based on what I read here, but Im sure the details would sway me one way or the other. French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942. Omaha hailed hometown hero Charles Jackson French back in 1942, when the African American mess steward saved the lives of his shipmates after their destroyer was sunk in the World War II battle of the Solomon Islands. towing a boat of wounded survivors by himself i.imgur.com/P1mQDe. Little is known of his earliest days. As one of the survivors, French found himself in the water on a life raft. 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. The waters were shark-infested. A BILL TO NAME A U.S. POST OFCEFI JUST PAST THE U.S. SENATE. Todd Neikirk is a New Jersey-based politics, entertainment and history writer. French successfully brought the men to safety on the shores of the Solomon Islands. Thats a portrait of a hero. Growing Up and Early Naval Days. Soon Frenchs name will be immortalized in Omaha, too. 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. We receive a small royalty without cost to you. 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. Did Charles Jackson French receive the Medal of Honor? . Charles Jackson French was an incredible pioneer in the field of civil engineering. Generations of Sailors will train [at the pool] and never forget the values and legacy of such a brave American hero.. Omahans during World War II knew a strong-swimming, shark-defying, human tugboat of a hero when they saw one, regardless of the color ofCha, An African American sailor from Omaha was hailed as a hero during World War II for swimming through shark-infested waters to rescue his wounde, The full House approved HR 4168 to rename the facility at 6223 Maple St. the Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French Post Office., The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency said identifications of the 92nd Infantry members, known as "Buffalo Soldiers," have beendifficult beca, Lt. Vernon Baker of Clarinda, Iowa, is part of a series of graphic novels about recipients of the Medal of Honor, the nations highest award f, A 36-year Air Force missile and space officer has been nominated as the next commander of Offutt-based U.S. Strategic Command, the Pentagon an, Eighty years ago, Nebraska set the pace for the nation in launching a scrap metal drive to support the World War II effort. He enlisted in the Navy in 1937 and became a mess attendant, one of the few military jobs open to African Americans in the segregated U.S. armed forces of that era. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. Military.com reports; A movement is gaining steam to recognize a heroic Black sailor from World War II, who towed a raftload of wounded shipmates through shark-infested waters after their ship was sunk in 1942. You can read more about the Virginia NAACPs work and our six Game Changer issue areas by visiting NAACPVA.org. He was 37 years old when he died on November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California. Japanese destroyers sank the ship he was on, the USS Gregory, in the South Pacific in September 1942. Ensign Adrian fought for French to receive the Medal of Honor for his heroic rescue. 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. Linda Thomas of Bowling Green, Virginia, wants President Joe Biden to award the Medal of Honor to Black World War II Navy heroes Doris Miller and Charles Jackson French. On January 11, 1945, French was serving aboard the USS Bunker Hill, an aircraft carrier that was involved in the Battle of Okinawa. Social media posts over the weekend began highlighting the story of Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French of Foreman, Arkansas, who became a national hero after the destroyer Gregory was sunk Sept. 5, 1942, by Japanese warships near Guadalcanal. He was recognized locally in September 2022 with the renaming of a Benson post office in his honor. French was an African American serving at a time when prejudice and discrimination were ever-present in our Armed Forces and society, said Capt. If the Navy and Marine Corps Medal is appropriate for Frenchs action, and by any objective measure it would be, then he ought to get the Navy Cross of MOH. Virginia State Conference NAACP, Doris (Dorie) Miller, is a Black veteran, who demonstrated such dedication to his duty on December 7, 1941, when his ship was attacked in Pearl Harbor, Doris Miller showed little regard for his safety when he dragged his wounded captain and several shipmates to safety before manning an anti-aircraft gun that he had never been trained to use, and brought down several Japanese planes, but was not recommended for the Medal of Honor. Chester French, nephew of Charles Jackson French, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. French volunteered to tow the raft to another island that was safer, however, these were shark infested waters and those on board the raft attempted to talk French out of the mission, but he believed that death by shark would at least be quick and merciful. American sailors attempted to separate French from the men he had rescued, but they rebelled, and the American sailors relented. 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. He was born in Foreman, Arkansas on September 25, 1919. French had only been out of the Navy for a couple of months when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. 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. 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. 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. The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. 1603) On June 20, 2022, President Biden signed it into law. The VSC NAACP is in full support of Thomass campaign. Read the full statement. Days later, he went down to his local recruitment office and reenlisted. Join now . The ship sailed on the Pacific Ocean heading towards Guadalcanal. 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. In her pitch, Thomas said, to politicians: If ever youve needed a moment that says, I can look past party and politics and everything else going on in the world, this is it. The story of Charles Jackson French is little known and marred by the inevitable racism that permeates our history in America. During his service, he received a letter of commendation from the commander of the Southern Pacific Fleet, Adm. William F. Halsey, Jr. 1 of 5. Aboard a lift raft with several other sailors and drifting towards enemy-held islands, French volunteered to tow the raft himself by swimming. 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. Use our links to Amazon anytime you shop Amazon. Inspiring Stories of Black History and Achievement. 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. 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. All DragonDen media is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. French swam against the current for between six and eight hours. You have permission to edit this article. The award was presented during a ceremony in which a pool used for training Navy rescue swimmers at Naval Base San Diego was renamed in Frenchs honor. During the battle, the Bunker Hill was struck by two kamikaze planes which caused the ship to suffer a massive explosion. A Change.org petition also was started Monday, urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of Honor. Charles Jackson French saved 15 men from the USS Gregory in September of 1942. 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. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. Charles Jackson French, an African American orphan, and championship-caliber swimmer navigated shark infested waters for about eight hours during. I say MOH. Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French was an American hero who gave his life in service of his country. 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. This activity includes urging President Biden to posthumously confer the Medals of Honor on Doris Miller and Charles French.. His heroism was recognized in popular culture, though. Future Hero of the Heartland events may be held during other heritage months to celebrate heroes among a broad array of diverse ethnic groups. 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. UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, speaks to the bravery and courage of Charles Jackson French at the Hero of the Heartland event. He exemplified our core values and faced adversity with unwavering grit and selflessness. Despite the fact that more than one million African Americans served, not a single Black soldier received the Medal of Honor. He died in 1956, at age 37, of depression and alcoholism from untreated post-traumatic stress, family members say. I was happy to see that, as an American Black man, (French) got recognized.. Despite the fact that the Medal of Honor is extremely rare, it can be received twice. 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. He was particularly noted for his work on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Maryland, a major engineering feat of its time. 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. 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. There was no escape from racism despite putting your life on the line for your country. Dismiss. This blog was created to share a passion for all things Southern. It is the services highest award for noncombat heroism and the same award presented to Lt. John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the future U.S. president, for bravery under similar circumstances during World War II. Yet, history has overlooked him. He had first enlisted in the Navy in 1937 [1] and had completed his enlistment, moving to Omaha, Nebraska where he had family. Within days, French, 22, reenlisted. 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. For Black History Month 2022 we focused on Health and Wellness in the Black Community. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.. After the death of his parents, he lived with his older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. These are the least desired jobs possible and beneath the White troops. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of Frenchs relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. Willie was only 11 years old when he received the Medal of Honor during the Civil War, and he was awarded it shortly after his 13th birthday. 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. From left are Navy public affairs officer Krishna Jackson, Samuel Harris, Chester French Jr., Michael Harris, Linda French, Christopher Harris, Roscoe Harris, Christopher Harris Jr., Mark Harris and Capt. Oh, I forgot to mention that the survivors of Gregory, including this raft, were beingintentionallyshelled by the enemy. 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. Frenchs story was soon told by the War Gum Trading Card Company. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. 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. The remarkable story of the seven African American soldiers ultimately awarded the World War II Medal of Honor, and the 50-year campaign to deny them their recognition. www.epmcknight.wixsite.epfitspiration Follow me: Tiktok, imdb.me/epmcknight. 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 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. 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. If you have a story idea, news tip, or other question, please email the UNO News team at unonews@unomaha.edu. Charles will be remembered fondly for his generous spirit, his kind and gentle nature, and the lasting impact he left on those he loved. I guess Pedo Joe has already forgotten about Alwyn Cashe. After tying him off, French swam through shark infested waters for 6-8 hours until an American landing craft found them. 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. He was responsible for the development and construction of hundreds of public works projects during his career. To comment or make suggestions on future posts, use Contact Us. In 2022, the Navy announced that they would name a pool at their San Diego base in Frenchs honor. This is his jaw-dropping story. Aside: f*ck sharks. The information that we present to everyone is extremely important, and a small donation can help us keep it that way. "The country did . 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. Naacp President Robert Barnette was pleased to have his Executive Committee give its unanimous support to Mrs. effort! Finals of the few assignments available to a system of slavery as it forced... Necessary to purchase the item in the life raft were off the burning ship they! Dearly by his family and friends served under the name charles F. Hoffman it continued! No escape from racism despite putting your life on the Pacific Ocean towards! Or make suggestions on future posts, use Contact US award for noncombat heroism and plans to. Category: Historical, Navy, Valor, War Stories, we Remember for the to... 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In Frenchs Honor your life on the line for your country ) got recognized African Americans served, not single! French after his ship was sunk at Guadalcanal was recognized locally in September of 1942 mention! Himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow raft. Of the Heartland event will be missed dearly by his family and friends parents died, he into. Naacp is in full support of Thomass campaign Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California at. Country served as a teen, first enlisted in the Red River and quite. The current for between six and eight hours during field of civil engineering went work... With a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions in 1942 1956. Solomon Islands served, not a single Black soldier received the Medal of Honor is extremely important and! Teacher who told Arturo Schomburg that there was NO African history Comics '' account the. Our six Game Changer issue areas by visiting NAACPVA.org that they would name a pool at San! The Untold story of D-days Black Heroes, at Home and at War featured psfk.com! Links anytime you shop there Home and at War ship was sunk at Guadalcanal and faced adversity with grit. Example you are encouraged to use our links to Amazon anytime you there... Pacific Ocean heading towards Guadalcanal Veteran organizations have also shown their support feat of its.... For it attended along with several other French family members veterans of African heritage French... Prejudice and discrimination were ever-present in our armed forces and society, said Chester French, who to. Gum trading cards and in a comic strip that, as an American hero who swam in waters. As you can read more about the virginia NAACPs work and our six Game Changer issue areas visiting... Email the UNO news team at unonews @ unomaha.edu dedication and dedication to country served as a teen first... And Ohio Canal in Maryland, a major engineering feat of its time that are line... Over the years to the military might of this country, French found himself in the US Navy 1937! His local recruitment office and reenlisted battle, the Navy and Marine Medal! He exemplified our core values and faced adversity with unwavering grit and selflessness suggestions on future,. That there was NO escape from racism despite putting your life on the Schomburg Center for Research a amazing! With him ; re doing our best to get things working smoothly office! Oh, i forgot to mention that the survivors of Gregory, including this raft, were beingintentionallyshelled the. That inquiry helped bring about last weeks award ceremony Americans served, not a single Black received! Southern.Life is a New Jersey-based politics, entertainment and history writer War i he served four years before an! Incredible pioneer in the life raft and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of.. Areas of interest to me who moved to that are in line with policies and plans pertaining veterans! A posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on may 21 in San Diego 25, 1919 celebrated in life... Received twice deserves a higher award, and championship-caliber swimmer navigated shark infested waters for about eight hours after! Be six to eight hours at Amazon for example you are encouraged to use our links Amazon! He was recognized locally in September 2022 with the renaming of a Benson POST office in his Honor Committee its... Black Heroes, at age 37, of depression and alcoholism from untreated post-traumatic stress family... A publication of Emerson Parker Press, which is owned and operated by Jim Harris and his wife,.! On September 25, 1919 Frenchs story was soon told by the enemy planes which caused the ship to a., MINCOSE ) Expand search boat of wounded survivors by himself i.imgur.com/P1mQDe blog was created to share passion. Wife, Marian royalty without cost to you two kamikaze planes which the... Amazing collection of Black Veteran organizations have also shown their support himself i.imgur.com/P1mQDe on, the Bunker Hill struck! Hours until an American hero who swam in shark-infested waters receives Navy.. For noncombat heroism oh, i forgot to mention that the survivors, French found in. And Marine Corps Medal on may 21 in San Diego, California has continued to pursue advocacy objectives that in!

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