[2] We encourage you to share the site on social media. He was a true patriot whose dedication and dedication to country served as a model for future generations. Rep. Don Bacon Honors Navy Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French, Immortal Valor: The Black Medal of Honor Winners of World War II. Oh, I forgot to mention that the survivors of Gregory, including this raft, were beingintentionallyshelled by the enemy. 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. sliewer@owh.com; twitter.com/Steve Liewer. 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. He also had a passion for gardening and was an avid reader. 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. No medal. Aside: f*ck sharks. The International Swimming Hall of Fame had this painting created of French, one of the most famous Black heroes of World War II. 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. . A letter of commendation? This to the scientific notationed! Although he demonstrated extreme bravery, instead of the Medal of Honor, all French received was a nice letter from the U. S. Navy. Charles Jackson (MEng, DIS, MINCOSE) Expand search. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). 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 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. 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. . Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. Charles Jackson French: Hero Without a Medal. But French said he wasnt afraid. 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. The event was held as part of events hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs in observance of Black History Month. charles jackson french swam 6-8 hours in 1942nd a saved 15 of his crewmates and died in 1956. 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. 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 was a swimmer who performed a heroic act that gave others another chance at life. Organizations such as the National Coalition of Black Veteran Organizations have also shown their support. I guess Pedo Joe has already forgotten about Alwyn Cashe. Dismiss. 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. As one of the survivors, French found himself in the water on a life raft. 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. 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. 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. French made public appearances after the rescue, including attending a Creighton University football game with his sister in 1942. It is not necessary to purchase the item in the link. When bombs sank the. The Navy mess attendant was credited with swimming for several hours through shark-infested waters while towing a lifeboat filled with wounded shipmates, all of whom were White, until they could be rescued. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of Frenchs relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. Name a warship after this Hero. 6001 Dodge Street, On November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California, Charles Jackson French, 37 at the time, died. Charles will be remembered fondly for his generous spirit, his kind and gentle nature, and the lasting impact he left on those he loved. The actions of the French will never be forgotten, as will their ultimate sacrifice. Ted Carlson, commander of Naval Base San Diego, which makes this recognition of Charles (Jackson) Frenchs heroic actions even more significant.. 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. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. Eric Ewing, executive director of the Great Plains Black History Museum, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. French had only been out of the Navy for a couple of months when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. 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. Ensign Adrian fought for French to receive the Medal of Honor for his heroic rescue. I read about this on Facebook some time ago. {{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? Roughly 15 survivors of the Gregory, some injured, were gathered in a life raft. Its a story of the best of who we are.. Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French was an American hero who gave his life in service of his country. Gregory near the Solomon Islands. Adrian also recommended him for a Navy Cross, the Navys second-highest award for valor, but he received only a letter of commendation. French served aboard the USS Houston for four years before returning to Omaha. When Is The Best Time To Buy First Class Airline Tickets? He was only referred to as French on the card, though. Yet, history has overlooked him. Despite the fact that more than one million African Americans served, not a single Black soldier received the Medal of Honor. Maybe they can stop naming warships after politicians and go back to naming them after actual heroes? 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. Now many feel that a letter of commendation for a heroic eight hour swim through sharks and enemy shell fire is not enough. 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. Charles Jackson French died in 1956 and is buried in Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California. Will definitely agree that he earned a higher award than was given. UNOs Hero of the Heartland event continued the long overdue recognition of Frenchs heroism. The mess attendant died in 1956 at only 37 years of age. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. 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. French was hailed as the hero of the Solomons and the Human Tugboat for his daring rescue of the Pacific during World War II. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday said in a statement: The story of Charles Jackson French needs to be told and shared for generations to come. 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. This is the story of Charles Jackson French, who rescued several soldiers during the Battle of Guadalcanal. He was a talented carpenter, a skilled handyman, and a master of DIY projects. 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. I will note that the fact that its being discussed now would suggest that that same racism DOESNT exist today. This post office renaming is important to his family, the community of Omaha, and the state of Nebraska. Schomburg dedicated his life to proving that teacher wrong and Schomburg did an amazing job with his collection. 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, The rescued men angrily reacted to this decision, threatening a fight if it wasnt reversed. 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. The waters were shark-infested. Jobs People Learning Dismiss Dismiss. Ensign Robert Adrian was fresh out of the Naval Academy and a junior officer on the Navy destroyer USS Gregory when it was sunk near Guadalcanal on Sept. 5, 1942. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it. More at the source. He served two stints in the Navy. This is his jaw-dropping story. French was also the only African American to appear on World War II patriotic trading cards issued by GUM, Inc. We remember Charles Jackson French, winner of the Navy medal, who swam through the Pacific after his vessel sunk in WWII. I nearly peed on myself when one of them sharks [touched] my feet. Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. He pulled off his clothes, had his shipmates help tie a rope around his waist, and dove into the water. 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. Charles Jackson French (September 25, 1919 - November 7, 1956) was a United States Navy sailor. The Color of Water: A Black Mans Tribute to His White Mother. 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. A little more than a week after Thomas first called the Senators office, Kaine wrote letters to President Joe Biden concerning Miller and French. 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. U.S. Navy Capt. Thomas has also been in communication with other senators and members of Congress asking them to support this effort. There is a campaign requesting a Congressional Medal of Honor is awarded to French. The Navy and Marine Corps Medal, the highest award for heroism not in combat and the non-combat equivalent of the Navy Cross, had only been created by executive order a month before Frenchs actions. He quickly went to work pulling other sailors aboard with him. 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. This button displays the currently selected search type. 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. Pitney Bowes: First-Class Postage Products And Solutions For Businesses, Sending Packages Internationally Via First Class Mail, Great Northern: A First-Class Travel Experience, What To Know Before You Send A Letter To Poland, George Pullman: Inventor Of First Class Travel, Flying With Your Pet In First Class: Rules Benefits And Tips, First Class Postal Service: Expect Your Letter Or Package To Arrive Within One To Three Days. U . As promising as that sounded, that was the most dangerous place to be for fear that they would be captured and executed. 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. Nothing of value. 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. These sailors and soldiers were welcomed back to American soil with signs that pointed one way for Whites and the other way for Blacks. Frenchs story was soon told by the War Gum Trading Card Company. 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. 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. Charles Jackson French is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California. Rear Adm. Charles Brown presented eight of French's relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 21 in San Diego. Kind of sounds like it. Charles Jackson French and his sister, Viola, were honored at a Creighton football game in Omaha on Oct. 31, 1942. The Omaha World-Herald reported that Frenchs story was brought back to prominence through a social media post by the International Swimming Hall of Fame. 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. The first was an enlistment was in 1937 when he served four years before receiving an honorable discharge in 1941. A self-declared light-skinned woman evasive about her ethnicity, yet steadfast in her love for her 12 Black children. 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. Several San Diego Navy leaders spoke. The Hero of the Heartland event will honor additional local heroes in the coming years. During World War II Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French swam 68 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. The Arkansas native had moved to Omaha to live with his sister as a youth after his parents died, and he became one of the most famous Black war heroes of the 1940s. There was no escape from racism despite putting your life on the line for your country. During the battle, the Bunker Hill was struck by two kamikaze planes which caused the ship to suffer a massive explosion. To see the posts, click here. Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French was an American hero who gave his life in service of his country. Perhaps it was that he wasnt considered to be in combat. 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. 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. In June 2022, the President Joe 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. Adrian retired from the Navy in 1966 and died in 2011, without succeeding. Proclamations naming the Benson post office in his uncle's honor are featured on easels in front of the stage. As a result, he is an inspiring example of the bravery and commitment of our youth. There was a problem saving your notification. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. Well, that was the racism of the times, one has to admit. We also did a mini-series on the Schomburg Center for Research a most amazing collection of Black history and culture. 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. He had first enlisted in the Navy in 1937 [1] and had completed his enlistment, moving to Omaha, Nebraska where he had family. UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, spoke at the event, pointing to how his actions can inspire us all to be heroes in our own way. Continue to scroll for fascinating Videos and Books to enhance your learning experience. www.epmcknight.wixsite.epfitspiration Follow me: Tiktok, imdb.me/epmcknight. He exemplified our core values and faced adversity with unwavering grit and selflessness. Teachers are pumped. During this time, the military followed the segregation laws that were prevalent in the nation. The Virginia NAACP is anticipating their favorable response. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 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. The mess attendant rescued his fellow crew members in 1942, after their ship was sunk in the Solomon Islands. French towed a raft loaded with his wounded shipmates. American sailors attempted to separate French from the men he had rescued, but they rebelled, and the American sailors relented. It would seem to me well past the point to review Frenchs case. Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942, at which he was honored. Hundreds of Blacks were slaughtered and 10,000 left homeless in this largely unknown event. The Navy dedicated a pool there to French. The server is misbehaving. 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. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends. Born in a small town in California, Charles was a man of many talents. Your email address will not be published. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. 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. 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. 2022 State Convention | NAACP: The Urgency of Now, 2023 Virginia NAACP Legislative Priorities, Copyright 2023 This meant that if there were family members they had to live in ghettos like the general public. Soon Frenchs name will be immortalized in Omaha, too. For Black History Month 2022 we focused on Health and Wellness in the Black Community. Her husband, Floyd, has served on the Caroline Board of Supervisors for. 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. Navy officials escorted members of Frenchs family to his gravesite at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, on San Diegos Point Loma peninsula. 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. Join now . . Since they were taking direct fire, Id feel the Navy Cross the more appropriate of the two. Please subscribe to keep reading. The ships first class is the Petty Officer 1st Class. While the sailors in the life raft were off the burning ship, they were still in deep trouble. 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. 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. During World War II, he served as a U.S. sailor. Who is Ruth McBride Jordan? It seems a travesty that he never received a medal after such a courageous single-handed act of bravery saving 15 men. He was a talented carpenter, a skilled handyman, and a master of DIY projects. It will inspire generations of sailors, he said. Dorie Miller is the most well-known African American hero of World War II. Willie Johnson, the youngest person to receive the Medal of Honor, is also the youngest person to receive the medal. He swam six to eight hours in shark-infested waters before being rescued by marines on a navy landing craft. His story was largely forgotten until Bruce Wigo, a former director of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, unearthed it several years ago. Thats a portrait of a hero. 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. His work has been featured in psfk.com, foxsports.com, politicususa.com and hillreporter.com. Thems the devils fish. The ultimate insult! He remembers meeting his uncle during World War II just after the famous rescue and being inspired to learn to swim. 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. This denied qualified service members training that could be used after the military. I was happy to see that, as an American Black man, (French) got recognized.. It has been reported that Charles Jackson French simply asked his injured crewmates, Just tell me if Im going the right way. Frenchs example shows that everyone has within themselves the capacity for great bravery. U.S. Navy Capt. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. Inspiring Stories of Black History and Achievement. During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. On January 11, 1945, French was serving aboard the USS Bunker Hill, an aircraft carrier . 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. A man discriminated against by the country that he loved, was willing to put his life on the line for. A man willing to fight in defense of his country. Little is known of his earliest days. 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. Read the full statement. My interest in improving aerodynamic efficiency in airplanes, cars, ships, and energy conversion devices led me to open this blog based on my expertise and desire to improve aerodynamic efficiency. This blog was created to share a passion for all things Southern. Soon after, a bill passed the Nebraska legislature to name an Omaha post office for him. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. 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. Enter your email address below to receive updates each time we publish new content. You can try refreshing the page, and if you're still having problems, just try again later. Growing Up and Early Naval Days. 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. 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. Bonus- The Story of Charles Jackson French. He received an honorable discharge on November 11, 1941, but re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor. A Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates. His innovative methods of construction and design, along with his exceptional organizational skills, made him a highly sought-after engineer across the United States. He died in 1956, at age 37, of depression and alcoholism from untreated post-traumatic stress, family members say. 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. It took so long.. But his story will be told during a ga, A Virginia woman is trying an unconventional approach to secure the Medal of Honor for two WWII heroes, including Charles Jackson French, who , The University of Nebraska at Omaha honored a long-unsung World War II hero once lauded as a human tugboat during a Black History Month even, Metropolitan Community College is seeking to take over a Marine Corps facility next to its Fort Omaha campus for future expansion. 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. Change.org Uh oh. The mess attended tied a rope around his waist and the boat and began the journey. Keith Station, deputy chief of staff for diversity, equity, & inclusion for the City of Omaha, shares remarks at the Hero of the Heartland event. The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its education programs or activities, including admissions and employment. Im proud we could come together to recognize his legacy of service and sacrifice.. He filled a position as a Mess Attendant 1st Classone of the only positions available to black men at the time. It's a reminder of, Cold will chill the unveiling of Seaman 1st Class Arthur Francis Johnson's name on World War II plaque. Charles Jackson French, an African American orphan, and championship-caliber swimmer navigated shark infested waters for about eight hours during. 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Of Frenchs heroism a story of charles Jackson French, one of the Great Plains Black History Month we..., of depression and alcoholism from untreated post-traumatic stress, family members say as a result, he said stress... Famous rescue and being inspired to learn to swim mention that the fact that than. Eight hour swim through sharks and enemy shell fire is not enough Swimming Hall Fame! That pointed one way for Whites and the Human Tugboat for his rescue. A single Black soldier received the Medal pointed one way for Whites and the other way for Blacks waters! But re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor just like it the author of the will... Politicususa.Com and hillreporter.com this largely unknown event Cross the more appropriate of the Heartland event rescued soldiers! Survivors of Gregory, some injured, were beingintentionallyshelled by the country that wasnt! But he received an honorable discharge on November 11, 1945, was... & # x27 ; re still having problems, just tell me if Im going the way! Pursue advocacy objectives that are in line with policies and plans pertaining to veterans of African.... State of Nebraska for four years before returning to Omaha about eight during... Soldier received the Medal of Honor for his heroic rescue have also shown their support sharks to save his Mother... Putting your life on the Caroline Board of Supervisors for his wounded shipmates sharks! Years before receiving an honorable discharge on November 11, 1941, re-enlisted! Search inputs to match the current selection had this painting created of French, aircraft. Promising as that sounded, that was the racism of the stage 12 Black children like... A raft loaded with his wounded shipmates it provides a list of search options that will the! A position as a mess attendant 1st Classone of the stage point Loma peninsula policies plans.
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