Image source: Newsbank Omaha Star Archives. On September 5, 1942, USS Gregory was hit by Japanese naval fire near Guadalcanal and sank. Sadly, it wasnt much of a fight. He was a powerful swimmer, and swam all night, 6 to 8 hours until they were eventually saved by a landing craft.. Then French volunteered to swim the raft away from shore. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.. Charles Jackson French - Unknown Hero. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, French promptly re-enlisted. Interment Control Forms, A1 2110-B. For his actions, French received a letter of commendation from the commander of the Southern Pacific Fleet, Adm. William F. Bull Halsey. 0000125864 00000 n Charles Jackson French, on the other hand, was slowly forgotten. With Adrian amongst the rescued Sailors on board the raft, French started to tie a rope around his waist. Francis II was born in 1544. French was a swimmer who performed a. Jump in and swim for two hours straight, then come back and tell us how you feel. French made public appearances after the rescue, including attending a Creighton University football game with his sister in 1942. Its surviving men were plunged into shark-infested waters as the Japanese fired on them. [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. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. French, according to Adrian, replied: Just keep telling me if Im goin the right way.. 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. This is a carousel with slides. In April 2021, a post about French from the International Swimming Hall of Fame revived his story. Charles Jackson French was assigned to the USS, A depiction of Charles Jackson Frenchs heroism from the. Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. TIL about Navy Seaman Charles Jackson French who, after his ship the USS Gregory was sunk in WWII, swam for 6-8 hours towing a raft of 15 survivors through shark-infested waters. i6 oSs$tXE`q8X4A`q8X4][D28c}SKYjn1gwQ]7/ O cemeteries found in San Diego, San Diego County, California, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Many at home believed French should have received more. 256 0 obj <> endobj OMAHA, Neb. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Charles Gilpin Jackson (Downingtown, Pennsylvania), who passed away on February 23, 2023 at the age of 73. . The newspaper continued: Although Mess Attendant Charles Jackson French of Arkansas was not in a heroic job, he MADE a heroic job out of it. He was a talented carpenter, a skilled handyman, and a master of DIY projects. HTM0+|] r7CJ1qh,ofo!l22}4go5 %Y,VkWdV0Rl'GDD+"A[*qMQV.:7yj~UO8z"a)/AW_zwU(:eE>W0T x'?CsJEJ0B~|!Sed8y%>%lI8 ~f0&Y|q`e'Z3%>UJ+0Q,Oi6Z?pQYCGUw } X:jSlS8*%Qs&@SFCe1j;A*dr|JWx@!66mNs/&GAxy2 c3q:m ;">7 For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. On the French side was Philip VI, first cousin of Charles IV. During Frenchs time in the military, segregation was still an issue he faced. French is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California. While the crews of Gregory and Little debated whether to engage the Japanese destroyers or depart quietly, a Navy pilot also spotted the flashes of fire. Undoubtedly, there were other forms of racism and discrimination that also accompanied such treatment. 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 . Charles Jackson French salutes while next to his sister Viola at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942. French enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1937 and served four years. It wasnt until 1988 that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) was promoted by President Ronald Reagan to the cabinet executive level. to death with a metal bar in a fish shop in 1991 and dissolved their bodies in acid to cover his tracks. But Greco escaped arrest, and for years had lived a quiet life in Saint-Etienne, France as "Paolo Dimitrio," working as a chef in . Adrian, though superficially wounded, was able to hang on. The award was presented on May 21, 2022, at Naval Base San Diego, at a ceremony in which the base's rescue swimmer training pool was dedicated in French's honor. A long-time heavy smoker, Jackson suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. flagship of the Asiatic Fleet. He died on November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California; he was only 37 years old. How- The ship was severely damaged after only minutes and began to sink into the shark-infested waters. #wzCa3H'HnmBfOhS9A^dexl(wu%pp; /[GL] E$ * Many were wounded and killed. 0000176236 00000 n [8] The commendation stated: For meritorious conduct in action while serving on board of a destroyer transport which was badly damaged during the engagement with Japanese forces in the British Solomon Islands on September 5, 1942. He was survived by his sister Viola. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. 0000010538 00000 n But finally, after six decades, his heroic acts during World War II are finally being recognized and rewarded. ), Interment Control Forms, 19281962. 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. 0000012382 00000 n If ever there was a time for survival mode, its the middle of the night when youre injured and your ship is sinking into the ocean. September 8, 2022 In "International" June 27, 2018 In "Education" It was Ensign Robert N. Adrian, the only officer from the bridge of the Gregory to survive, who told an Associated Press reporter about the rescue. A United States Navy messman, French courageously acted after the Japanese navy struck a U.S. ship in the South Pacific during the conflict. GREAT NEWS! The book is essentially Charles Jackson as protagonist Don Birnam on a four-day weekend bender in 1936. Public DomainCharles Jackson French was assigned to the USS Gregory, which was destroyed in September 1942. French's shoulder shook' tears coursed down his cheeks. 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. Charles French (and family) *Charles Jackson French was born on this date in 1919. A depiction of Frenchs heroic actions was included in the WWII Commemorative Card Set produced by Gum Inc., based in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. The Navy, like swimming pools across the country, was strictly segregated. Charles Jackson French was 22 years old when World War II: Nazi Germany invades the Soviet Union in Operation Barbarossa. 0000101640 00000 n Remarkably, it contains several insights into his own tormented psyche and provides strong hints into events that occurred in his own life. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. The National Archives at College Park, College Park, Maryland. Its a shame that so many who served our country were left to face the mental and physical ailments war may bring in solitude. After his parents died, he left Arkansas and moved in with his married, older sister Viola in Omaha, Nebraska. In many ways, Navy Messman Charles Jackson French remains an unsung hero of World War II. 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. Please reset your password. Verify and try again. Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 17741985, Record Group 92. He had enlisted in the United States Navy in 1937. At 1 a.m., the Japanese opened fire. For six to eight hours, he tugged a raft filled with injured sailors behind him, pulling them to safety. 0000002550 00000 n French was lucky enough to escape without much harm and began gathering injured Sailors to put into a raft. Perhaps out of fear of global embarrassment, Adm. William F. Halsey Jr. sent French a letter of commendation. <<4EEFF01CF8009C438CF4B522CFC4463C>]/Prev 1234002/XRefStm 2222>> 0000733291 00000 n 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. The pop legend had been rehearsing past midnight on the night of June 24, 2022 ahead of a series of comeback concerts at the London . Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. 0000184704 00000 n After turning 18, he joined the Navy and was a mess attendant, one of the few jobs that Black sailors were regulated too. Find the nearest body of water to you. Can You Name All 8 United States Uniformed Services? The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. Charles Jackson was first enlisted in the United States Navy in 1937 and had completed his enlistment, moving to Omaha, Nebraska where he lived with his family. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. In his testimony, Michael Jackson's personal physician Conrad Murray said he found the singer in bed and not breathing on the afternoon of June 25, 2009. Jackson French was a 23 year-old orphan from Foreman, Arkansas who had enlisted in the navy in 1937. endstream endobj 329 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/Index[37 219]/Length 30/Size 256/Type/XRef/W[1 1 1]>>stream More like this: New Study Surfaces Detailing Racial Discrimination in the Military, Filed Under: Military History Tagged With: Black military history, Charles Jackson French, Navy. On a pitch-black night in 1942, the waters of the Pacific Ocean near Savo Island and Guadalcanal suddenly lit up with gunfire. Uline Arena Building Do you find this information helpful? Growing Up and Early Naval Days. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. There are campaigns to demand a Congressional Medal of Honor for Petty Officer Charles Jackson French posthumously and plans for the Navy to dedicate a rescue swimmer pool in his honor. HUn0+B-Q[5PtU@$ The author attempted to probe for the cause of such intense emotion concerning an incident that happened years before. As a Black man, French had virtually no other choice than to work as a mess attendant. On September 5, 1942, United States Navy Messman 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. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? Mess Attendant Charles Jackson French risked death that others might live. Hearing voices, he found a life raft filled with 15 wounded men. Though rumors spread that Charles Jackson French might be awarded the Navy Cross, he was given only a letter of commendation from Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr., the then-commander of the Southern Pacific Fleet. %%EOF Since 2018 there has been renewed interest in recognizing Charles Frenchs heroism more appropriately. 0000189006 00000 n This video talks about the death news of Charles Jackson French who passed away many years ago.With deep heart we remember Charles Jackson French, an American war hero from Foreman, Arkansas, who died on 7 November 1956. The memoirs are in three volumes that came out successively in 1954, 1956, and 1959. The U.S. Navy also dedicated its surface rescue swimmer training pool at Naval. STEWARDS MATE 1/C US NAVY WORLD WAR II On September 5, 1942, United States Navy Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French, of Omaha Nebraska, swam through the night for 6 - 8 hours pulling a raft of 15 wounded sailors with a rope around his stomach through shark infested waters after the USS Gregory was hit by Japanese naval fire near Guadalcanal. You can always change this later in your Account settings. Outgunned, Gregory only lasted three minutes from the time the flares were dropped to the time she began to sink. endstream endobj 264 0 obj <>stream He has seven children. French successfully brought the men to safety on the shores of the Solomon Islands. Charles Jackson French (September 25, 1919 - November 7, 1956) was a United States Navy sailor. 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. French was the first black swimmer to earn the Navy Medal for his heroism in 1943. French may have been denied the medal because a Silver Star was awarded to one of his superiors and it was unprecedented to award a higher medal to a subordinate. Add to your scrapbook. After the death of his parents, he lived with an older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. Once Charles Jackson French was identified, he became a national hero. The 22-year-old saved the lives of 15 sailors . z:RA" ERAZC@ For his bravery, Navy Messman Charles Jackson French was provided a letter of commendation from Adm. William F. Bull Halsey, the Commander of the Southern Pacific Fleet, and the Navy Cross, the second-highest award available. That's when French -- a 22-year-old sailor in the racially segregated messman branch -- volunteered to tow them to safety, the article states. When Charles Jackson French was later identified, he became a national hero. A depiction of French's heroic actions was included in the WWII Commemorative Card Set produced by Gum Inc., based in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. 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. Within minutes, two American ships on patrol were sunk by Japanese destroyers. Fearing that the raft would drift toward the shore where Japanese troops were located, French towed the raft of wounded survivors toward a different island. French was also the only African American to appear on World War II patriotic trading cards issued by GUM, Inc. After his military service, French suffered from alcoholism and depression. 0000003649 00000 n Now, 80 years after the Navy petty officer swam hours through. After his parents died, he moved to Omaha, Nebraska, to live with his sister. On the night of September 4, 1942, during the Battle of Guadalcanal, the USS Gregory was struck by an attack from multiple Japanese destroyers. French was the first black swimmer to earn the Navy Medal for his heroism in 1943. 0000108198 00000 n The ship was severely damaged after only minutes and began to sink into the shark-infested waters. Little did he know that three weeks before his 23rd birthday, French would become a Navy hero. A Black sailor swam against sharks to save his White shipmates. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Photo of Charles Jackson French and his sister Viola, appeared in the Omaha Star on 11/6/1942. Just tell me if Im going the right way, French said as he began to tow the raft full of injured Sailors, according to a 1942 radio dramatization introducing Adrian to tell Frenchs story. zP|CY`oRHw`)UV\[|d/X3"{JrX1}qI_ji7`;LZ2[!x7)X+f$'^"#au"jJm&?i+ Charles IV of France died in 1328 without a male heir. 0000175845 00000 n Steve Liewer, Nebraska Reps Seek to Name Benson Post Office for Black Omaha WWII Hero. Omaha World-Herald, June 29. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. 0000110718 00000 n Taking care of the military personnel that keeps us free has come a long way, and theres still a way to go, but after returning from WWII, history loses track of French. 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. In life, French wasnt honored like he deserved. He had spent his last tour cruising around the Pacific. War Gum Trading Card CompanyA depiction of Charles Jackson Frenchs heroism from the. Sorry! 0000012696 00000 n All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. 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. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. Buddy Blouin is a content writer that loves creating through the written word. Black Past reports that he suffered from alcoholism and depression, and passed away on Nov. 7, 1956, in San Diego, California. The tragic news of her death was announced by her family on her Twitter and Instagram accounts on April 6, 2021. As he later recounted, as recorded by Chester Wright in Black Men and Blue Water, French and other uninjured soldiers were taken to a rest camp by their rescuers, who wanted to separate French from the white sailors. 0000189970 00000 n The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. Charles Jackson French died young, his World War II heroism mostly forgotten, even in the place he called home: San Diego. He had first enlisted in the Navy in 1937[1] and had completed his enlistment, moving to Omaha, Nebraska where he had family. However, on February 15, 2002, Charles Jackson died from a heart attack in his cell in Folsom State Prison, he was 65 years old. (Photo: Pinterest / Mia Corseca), By Stacy M. Brown Later that year Nebraskas three U.S. representatives, Don Bacon, Jeff Fortenberry, and Adrian Smith, co-sponsored H.R. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. 0000054932 00000 n This account has been disabled. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. He is also recognized by the International Swimming Hall of Fame.Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French passed away on November 7th, 1956 at the age of 37. Oops, we were unable to send the email. May we all proceed and help others with the courage and strength of Messman Charles Jackson French, a name that will never be forgotten. Just tell me if Im going the right way, French said. In the first year of his. Death 17 Nov 1968 (aged 51) Burial. Learn more about managing a memorial . F. Baurer, the ships CO. 0000184779 00000 n 0000189418 00000 n 0000106326 00000 n 0000009327 00000 n Story highlights. A small donation would help us keep this available to all. In London, King Charles I is beheaded for treason on January 30, 1649. 0000190880 00000 n 4168 to rename an Omaha post office for French. French was assigned to the mess (kitchen) as an attendant. John Henry Murphy Sr.; Slave. His mission was to rescue fellow soldiers. Mess Attendant 1st Class Charles Jackson French, known only at the time by his last name, was on Gregory that night. His main claim to fame (sounds strange to say that about a king of . French was memorialized on War Gum trading cards, in syndicated comic strips, on calendars, and The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. [1] His death didn't slow the investigators down. And a year later, Rear Admiral Charles Brown, the Navy public affairs officer, presented eight of Frenchs relatives with a posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal just like Kennedys. Baltimore, MD Office 0000010122 00000 n You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. After the war the officers of the unit that killed the white unit were executed for war crimes. He died on November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California; he was only 37 years old. And white soldiers and local white residents routinely slurred and harassed them.. He was celebrated in the black press and was even the subject of a syndicated comic strip.