Public DomainCharles Jackson French was assigned to the USS Gregory, which was destroyed in September 1942. There was an error deleting this problem. memorial page for Jettie Mae French (4 Dec 1916-17 Nov 1968), Find a Grave Memorial ID 3400830, citing Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego . 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. John Henry Murphy Sr.; Slave. Please reset your password. 0000125754 00000 n Along with Doris Dorie Miller, who received the Navy Cross for valor during the attack on the fleet at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, French was one of the most celebrated Black sailors during the war. trailer English [2] Contents 1 Meritorious conduct in action 2 Resting place 3 References 4 Further reading 5 External links Meritorious conduct in action Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? 256 0 obj <> endobj The Navy, like swimming pools across the country, was strictly segregated. After a Japanese attack in the Pacific during WWII, the Navy petty officer swam through shark-infested waters towing a life raft that was tied around his waist. Sadly, it wasn't much of a fight. Thinking the flashes came from Japanese submarines, the pilot dropped a line of five flares in the water. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. cemeteries found in San Diego, San Diego County, California, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. 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. French saved. Hearing voices, he found a life raft filled with 15 wounded men. He also recounted the narrative on the NBC radio program, It Happened in the Service. Although Ensign Adrian received the Purple Heart for being wounded in action during the attack, French received a letter of commendation for meritorious conduct in action instead of a medal. 0000108198 00000 n Seer. With Hazel Gordy, Jackson had three children: Jermaine Lu Juane Jr., Autumn Joy and Jaimy. 0000010730 00000 n For the next six to eight hours, French tirelessly swam as sharks got so close that they sometimes brushed against his legs. But French leaped into action. When the USS Gregory sank in 1942, a mess hall officer named Charles Jackson French dragged a raft full of his wounded crewmates to safety through shark-infested waters. 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. endstream endobj 269 0 obj <>stream He asked for help to tie a rope around his waist and towed them to safety." 0000003092 00000 n 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. . But, while his heroic story was later made public, Charles Jackson French received little recognition during his life. He was serving as a mess man on the USS Gregory when it was sunk by Japanese forces near the Solomon Islands . There is a problem with your email/password. The Little-Known Story Of World War II Hero Charles Jackson French And The 15 Sailors He Saved. ishof.org/assets. Despite his heroism, the ignorantly prejudiced United States all but ignored French. r\a W+ French was memorialized on War Gum trading cards, in syndicated comic strips, on calendars, and The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Charles Jackson French I found on Findagrave.com. To use this feature, use a newer browser. TwitterCharles Jackson French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his bravery. 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. Outside of searching through keyword data and creating blogs, he enjoys creating cocktails, cooking, and enjoying the Beautiful Game. His bravery, heroism, and toughness are a testament to the best in mankind even when mankind isnt being its best. He died on November 7, 1956, in San Diego, California; he was only 37 years old. In 2005, based on results from the DNA research, Jackson's involvement was revealed in the following murders: The night was black as ink and a haze was obscuring any landmarks, so the crews of Gregory and her sister ship USS Little (APD 4) were patrolling the area between Savo Island and Guadalcanal. 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. 0000003649 00000 n Together they created a platform to offer images and stories of hope to advance their community. Four days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, French reenlisted into the Navy and was assigned to Gregory in March 1942. He acceded to the throne in 1559, aged only 14, after the accidental death of his father Henri II from a jousting accident. On the night of September 5, 1942, French was on board the U.S.S. 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. startxref Born Sept. 25, 1919, French died on Nov. 7, 1956, at 37. After reading about Charles Jackson French, discover the story of Doris Miller, a Black ships cook who became a naval hero during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Jump in and swim for two hours straight, then come back and tell us how you feel. Charles De Gaulle in Algiers, Algeria, June 1958, where he made an ambiguous and broad emotional appeal to all inhabitants, declaring "Je vous ai compris" (I have understood you). 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. He who had been looked down upon as a caste man, frozen in status, suddenly was looked up to as a SAVIOUR.. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. The AFRO provides readers with good news about the Black community not otherwise found. %PDF-1.4 % For his actions, French received a letter of commendation from the commander of the Southern Pacific Fleet, Adm. William F. Bull Halsey. Later that year Nebraskas three U.S. representatives, Don Bacon, Jeff Fortenberry, and Adrian Smith, co-sponsored H.R. 0000190335 00000 n The story of a Black Navy vet who saved 15 of his crewmates during World War II was only known among a few families for many years. %%EOF U.S. NavyCharles Jackson French salutes while next to his sister Viola at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942. Charles Jackson French Obituary. O6z ` ~+ All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. Story highlights. Thanks and have a good day ahead!#CharlesJacksonFrench#CharlesJacksonFrenchDeath#CharlesJacksonFrenchCauseOfDeath#Death#CauseOfDeath#CelebrityDeath#PopularCelebrityDeath#CheckCelebrityDeath#CheckCelebritiesDeath#CheckPopularCelebrityDeath#CheckPopularCelebritiesDeath 1140 3rd St., 2nd Flr, NE A jury must decide if AEG Live contributed to his death by . Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. i6 oSs$tXE`q8X4A`q8X4][D28c}SKYjn1gwQ]7/ O In life, French wasnt honored like he deserved. As the attacks continued and the ship began to sink, many Sailors suffered injuries. Within minutes, two American ships on patrol were sunk by Japanese destroyers. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. Before ascending the throne he . The letter read, in part, 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 Sept. 5, 1942. 0000012928 00000 n September 8, 2022 In "International" June 27, 2018 In "Education" Liberals do not By Jer Clifton on March 1, 2023 . Her boilers had burst and her mess decks were aflame. An opinion piece in Scientific American by a researcher at Penn (I previously wrote about his study last year): Many Differences Between Liberals and Conservatives May Boil Down to One Belief Conservatives tend to believe that strict divisions are an inherent part of life. These flares became a backdrop for the silhouettes of Gregory and Little who now became the targets of the Japanese destroyers and a Japanese cruiser that had joined them. In addition to the War Gum trading card, his story was told in syndicated comic strips, on calendars and he made public appearances across the country to promote the sale of War Bonds. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? 0000002550 00000 n He received an honorable discharge on November 11, 1941, but re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor. Its a story of the best of who we are.. 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. When the USS Gregory sank in 1942, a mess hall officer named Charles Jackson French dragged a raft full of his wounded crewmates to safety through shark-infested waters. Many at home believed French should have received more. NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent. "Omaha Negro Hero of Ship Disaster," (Columbus, Neb. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. It will inspire generations of sailors, Brown said at the medal ceremony, reported by the Omaha World-Herald. 0000008519 00000 n 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. On September 5, 1942, USS Gregory was hit by Japanese naval fire near Guadalcanal and sank. The pilot dispatched a Marine landing craft to pick them up. Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French passed away on November 7th, 1956 at the age of 37. 0000189006 00000 n Charles French was an orphan from Foreman, Arkansas who learned to swim in the Red River at the age of eight. The tragic news of her death was announced by her family on her Twitter and Instagram accounts on April 6, 2021. Charles Jackson French died young, his World War II heroism mostly forgotten, even in the place he called home: San Diego. Steve Liewer, Nebraska Reps Seek to Name Benson Post Office for Black Omaha WWII Hero. Omaha World-Herald, June 29. Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 17741985, Record Group 92. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. The ensign told French the plan was crazy, that. But this time, Charles Jackson French would see significantly more action. We conducted nine more studies with nearly 5,500 participants, mostly . 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. 0000005681 00000 n "Abandon ship!" This is a carousel with slides. Charles's grandfather died before his birth on October 10, 1332. 0000110683 00000 n In addition to the War Gum trading card, his story was told in syndicated comic strips, on calendars and he made public appearances across the country to promote the sale of War Bonds. 0000009327 00000 n Mess Attendant Charles Jackson French risked death that others might live. However he learned to swim, Frenchs days in Foreman were numbered. French enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1937 and served four years. Adrian, though superficially wounded, was able to hang on. 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 21 comments 96% Upvoted This thread is archived New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast Sort by Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. 0000733291 00000 n You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. When Adrian told French that the current was carrying them toward the Japanese occupied island, French. Resend Activation Email. 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 . Its surviving men were plunged into shark-infested waters as the Japanese fired on them. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. The U.S. Navy Ship the U.S.S. No cause of death was provided. After his parents died, he left Arkansas and moved in with his married, older sister Viola in Omaha, Nebraska. Charles Jackson French was discharged from the Navy Nov. 13, 1941, but re-enlisted a month later after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Death 17 Nov 1968 (aged 51) Burial. With Adrian amongst the rescued Sailors on board the raft, French started to tie a rope around his waist. The publication for writers and readers to create and read amazing content, Actress, Stage playwright, Author, Motivational Speaker, Teacher Fitness Coach. Jackson French was a 23 year-old orphan from Foreman, Arkansas who had enlisted in the navy in 1937. Thanks for your help! The first one is called L'appel, The Call, referring to the call he made in London on the BBC for the French to resist, but also to the call of history that calls on France's saviour to save the country that's de Gaulle. He was never seen again. A training pool at Naval Base San Diego was named after French, and a post office in his hometown of Omaha also bears his name. French, according to Adrian, replied: Just keep telling me if Im goin the right way.. Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French passed away on November 7th, 1956 at the age of 37. He is also recognized by the International Swimming Hall of Fame. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. Sadly, it Happened in the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for bravery. Keep telling me if Im goin the right way of 37 NBC radio program, it Happened in place. Good news about the Black community not otherwise found his waist from Japanese submarines, the pilot dropped a of! Must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and toughness a. Tell us how you feel prejudiced United States all but ignored French wasn & # x27 ; much. 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