0000002550 00000 n Make sure that the file is a photo. 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. After a tense standoff, the others realized that the survivors meant business and backed down. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. zP|CY`oRHw`)UV\[|d/X3"{JrX1}qI_ji7`;LZ2[!x7)X+f$'^"#au"jJm&?i+ Include gps location with grave photos where possible. 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. 0000175553 00000 n Together they created a platform to offer images and stories of hope to advance their community. 0000008519 00000 n (Photo: Pinterest / Mia Corseca), By Stacy M. Brown . [3] Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. Charles French was born on September 25, 1919, in Foreman, Arkansas. IMAGE: CHARLES JACKSON FRENCH 1 . No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. Mess Attendant 1st Class Charles Jackson French, known only at the time by his last name, was on Gregory that night. He had first enlisted in the Navy in 1937 and had completed his enlistment, moving to Omaha, Nebraska where he had family. Box 6237, in San Diego, California 92166. The first is unexpected: on a leisurely ride in 1916, Jackson's older sister and younger brother are killed when a train strikes their car. endstream endobj 264 0 obj <>stream Despite never completing college, Jackson had a passion for literature . endstream endobj 329 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/Index[37 219]/Length 30/Size 256/Type/XRef/W[1 1 1]>>stream Lest We Forget. His bravery, heroism, and toughness are a testament to the best in mankind even when mankind isnt being its best. 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. The story of Charles Jackson French takes an interesting turn once he and his fellow survivors reached safety. The world needs to know his story, dead at . 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. His father skipped out on the family when he was 10 and the boy completed his elementary education in Newark, then began college at Syracuse University but abruptly quit. What is Charles' ethnicity and where did his parents, grandparents & great-grandparents come from? 0000010122 00000 n Charles Jackson French was memorialized on War Gum trading cards, in syndicated comic strips, on calendars, and The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. French was 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. endstream endobj 265 0 obj <> endobj 266 0 obj [285 0 R] endobj 267 0 obj <>stream Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. 0000003885 00000 n He received an honorable discharge on November 11, 1941, but re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor. %%EOF 0000125243 00000 n 563. Who were the people in Charles' life? We share yesterday, to build meaningful connections today, and preserve for tomorrow. His father skipped out on the family when he was 10 and the boy completed his elementary education in Newark, then began college at Syracuse University but abruptly quit. Attacked by the Japanese in the South Pacific. Still, the man that we know and remember is one whos a testament to doing the right thing even when its not easy and putting others before yourself. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Washington, DC 20002, Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent, AFRO endorsements for the 2022 midterm elections, A time to dance: Rev. Men who were returning from World War I needed jobs and there was competition for those jobs among the races. At 1 a.m., the Japanese opened fire. Interview by . Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. Charles Jackson French was born on 25 Sep 1919. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to . Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. French enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1937 and served four years. Photograph: JEAN-JACQUES LEVY/AP cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Learn more about managing a memorial . In the aftermath, French helped fifteen wounded survivors from the ship into a life raft. Charles de Gaulle had 'a certain idea of France' which even he didn't manage to articulate clearly. May we all proceed and help others with the courage and strength of Messman Charles Jackson French, a name that will never be forgotten. French, an orphan described as a human tugboat, received a royal welcome from citizens of all races in his sister Violas hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. French successfully brought the men to safety on the shores of the Solomon Islands. French was a black man born in Foreman, Arkansas, Sept. 25, 1919. He appeared before enthusiastic crowds at bond rallies, and a high decoration seemed assured. French was born in Foreman, Arkansas in about 1920. 0000190880 00000 n Fellow troops tried to talk him out of the desperate move, to take cover and escape the shark-infested waters, but French wouldnt listen. During World War II Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French swam 6-8 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. 0000108198 00000 n 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. Jump in and swim for two hours straight, then come back and tell us how you feel. [2] His family moved to Newark, New York in 1907, and nine years later his older sister, Thelma, and younger brother, Richard, were killed while riding in a car that was struck by an express train. Halsey was then commander of the Southern Pacific Fleet. [6] Adm. Halsey was then commander of the Southern Pacific Fleet. Soldier. 0000732899 00000 n 0000101669 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. And white soldiers and local white residents routinely slurred and harassed them.. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. By: Aaron Sanderford - September 9, 2022 3:25 pm. 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. Do you find this information helpful? 0000110718 00000 n Of the many acts of bravery among the men of Gregory during its final battle (including the mortally wounded skipper ordering his crew to abandon him and help other . the world learned more about the heroic swimmer. Ensign Adrian was the only one on the bridge to survive and floated over into the water as the ship sank below him. For his actions, French received a letter of commendation from the commander of the Southern Pacific Fleet, Adm. William F. Bull Halsey. Charles Jackson French is a World War II hero with Omaha ties that few people know about. Perhaps out of fear of global embarrassment, Adm. William F. Halsey Jr. sent French a letter of commendation. "Then French volunteered to swim the raft away from shore. Failed to remove flower. 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He served his four years in the Navy working the mess decks of Hawaii-based heavy cruiser USS Houston (CA-30) and returned home to Nebraska in 1941. During his youth, he would often swim in the Red River and became quite adept at it. Charles R. Jackson. This he was denied, though for a brief moment in the mid-1940s . On September 5, 1942, United States Navy Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson Fr. A depiction of French's heroic actions was included in the WWII Commemorative Card Set produced by Gum Inc., based in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. After the death of his parents, he lived with his older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. Gregory was hit by Japanese naval fire in the South Pacific. This account has been disabled. [3], French was an orphan from Foreman, Arkansas[4] who learned to swim in the Red River at the age of eight.[5]. 0000125638 00000 n Little did he know that three weeks before his 23rd birthday, French would become a Navy hero. Lest We Forget. Instead, the Navy sent him a nice letter. 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. With Adrian amongst the rescued Sailors on board the raft, French started to tie a rope around his waist. During World War II,[1] messmate French swam 68 hours in shark-infested waters near Guadalcanal while towing a life raft with 15 USSGregory(DD-82) survivors of an attack by the Japanese Imperial Navy. . Add Charles' family friends, and his friends from childhood through adulthood. O n 26 August 1944, General Charles de Gaulle took a high profile walk on the Champs-Elyses. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. 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