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. Mess Attendant 1st Class Charles Jackson French, known only at the time by his last name, was on Gregory that night. 0000184779 00000 n He had first enlisted in the navy in 1937[1] and had completed his enlistment, moving to Omaha, Nebraska where he had family. He was survived by his sister Viola. (j/p> dO~"$3$i'FwKk9Evhr-R|(}@4rY$^'\h? Charles VII (22 February 1403 - 22 July 1461), called the Victorious (French: le Victorieux) or the Well-Served (le Bien-Servi), was King of France from 1422 to his death in 1461.. French, an orphan described as a human tugboat, received a royal welcome from citizens of all races in his sister Violas hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. Thank you for your service and your valor, Mr. French. cemeteries found in San Diego, San Diego County, California, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. 4,972 birth, 734 death, 390 marriage, 86 divorce, View The Navy plans to dedicate a rescue swimming training pool in May 2022 at Naval Base San Diego to French in honor of his heroic actions during the Battle of Guadalcanal. 0000164084 00000 n 0000012751 00000 n 0000101669 00000 n Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Add to your scrapbook. STEWARDS MATE 1/C US NAVY In addition to the War Gum trading card, his story was told in syndicated comic strips, on calendars and he made public appearances across the country to promote the sale of War Bonds. He was born to a Thai mother and a French father. 0000010730 00000 n Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. Charles Jackson French saved the lives 15 Sailorsall of them whiteby pulling them on a raft behind him as he swam for hours through shark-infested waters. Seer. Baltimore, MD 21202, Washington, DC Office May we all proceed and help others with the courage and strength of Messman Charles Jackson French, a name that will never be forgotten. 0000189006 00000 n hl/CQ?!yEAb [$~$HH5" ? HTo0~_G#C@*%imVMNcW/RgR};;ww_@o.@r"?%YDiA,~J6adlm8Q35:P/0|mc2?wW8m.Or \mz{.-GJ^{ 0000184407 00000 n Adrian attempted to talk French into getting out of the shark-infested waters, but French responded that he was more afraid of the Japanese than he was of the sharks. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. 0000002403 00000 n Charles Jackson French, an African-American orphan, and championship-caliber swimmer navigated shark infested waters for about eight hours during World War II on a frigid September 1942 night to . Growing Up and Early Naval Days. 2021, https://omaha.com/news/local/nebraska-reps-seek-to-name-benson-post-office-for-black-omaha-wwii-hero/article_66699ca0-d8ff-11eb-aee6-474cdd1763ba.htm; Bruce Wigo, Memorial Day Rewind: The Forgotten Hero of WWII, SwimmingWorld.com, May 30, 2021, https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/memorial-day-rewind-the-forgotten-hero-of-wwii/. 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. This was during a period of American history when segregation was active, which means black men and white men were not permitted to swim together, even during Navy swim calls in the ocean. zP|CY`oRHw`)UV\[|d/X3"{JrX1}qI_ji7`;LZ2[!x7)X+f$'^"#au"jJm&?i+ Sadly, it wasnt much of a fight. Photograph: JEAN-JACQUES LEVY/AP Adrian, though superficially wounded, was able to hang on. Charles Jackson was born in 1903 into a wholly dysfunctional family in Summit, New Jersey. Where we share as we remember & make discoveries and connect with others to help answer questions. Charles de Gaulle had 'a certain idea of France' which even he didn't manage to articulate clearly. French made public appearances after the rescue, including attending a Creighton University football game with his sister in 1942. He was buried in Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery Previously right hand man to boss Johnny Torrio, Capone took over when Torrio was shot and severely injured and decided to resign. Charles Jackson was first enlisted in the United States Navy in 1937 and had completed his enlistment, moving to Omaha, Nebraska where he lived with his family. French was assigned to the mess (kitchen) as an attendant. The pilot dispatched a Marine landing craft to pick them up. Failed to remove flower. 0000012998 00000 n During World War II Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French swam 6-8 hours in shark-infested waters near Guadalcanal while towing a life raft with 15 USS Gregory survivors of an attack by the Japanese Imperial Navy. %PDF-1.4 % Charles R. Jackson. TIL about Navy Seaman Charles Jackson French who, after his ship the USS Gregory was sunk in WWII, swam for 6-8 hours towing a raft of 15 survivors through shark-infested waters. Steve Liewer, Nebraska Reps Seek to Name Benson Post Office for Black Omaha WWII Hero. Omaha World-Herald, June 29. Section N Site 490 P.o. Like many others at the time, he probably saw it as a way to. On the night of September 5, 1942, French was on board the U.S.S. z:RA" ERAZC@ i6 oSs$tXE`q8X4A`q8X4][D28c}SKYjn1gwQ]7/ O In 1956, in the year of Charles Jackson French's passing, on May 20th, the U.S. tested the first hydrogen bomb dropped from a plane over Bikini Atoll. With the attack on Pearl Harbor . She flew over 2,000 miles in just under 15 hours. It was called the "Red Summer". 0000189418 00000 n Swimming until sunrise, French and the 15 Sailors on the raft he was towing were spotted by a scout aircraft. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. On the night of September 4, 1942, during the Battle of Guadalcanal, the USS Gregory was struck by an attack from multiple Japanese destroyers. 0000101640 00000 n Charles Jackson French, an African-American orphan, and championship-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. He asked for help to tie a rope around his waist and towed them to safety." 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. 0000190805 00000 n 0000125754 00000 n After the death of his parents, he lived with his older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. The ship was severely damaged after only minutes and began to sink into the shark-infested waters. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Charles French (72213738)? Charles Jackson French WW II Hero. 734 death records, 32 followers 14.9k+ favorites. hbbg`b``3 & He had first enlisted in the Navy in 1937 and had completed his enlistment, moving to Omaha, Nebraska where he had family. After six months at sea, however, French would prove that he was much more than a bellhop seagoing . [3] 0000054932 00000 n He said that he was more afraid of the Japanese shooting at him than the sharks, and he continued on his way. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. Together they created a platform to offer images and stories of hope to advance their community. Charles Jackson French (September 25, 1919 - November 7, 1956) was a United States Navy sailor. Your donation is fully tax-deductible. 0000125243 00000 n Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French passed away on November 7th, 1956 at the age of 37. 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. He made his first comedy sketch "What I Would Love To Hear In Class" on February 6, 2016 . A former Playboy model killed herself and her 7-year-old son after jumping from a hotel in Midtown New York City on Friday morning. He was a powerful swimmer, and swam all night, 6 to 8 hours, until they were eventually saved by a landing craft. Charles Jackson French (September 25, 1919 - November 7, 1956) was a United States Navy sailor. French was the first black swimmer to earn the Navy Medal for his heroism in 1943. It sold half a million copies in the first six months. The U.S. Navy Ship the U.S.S. (Photo: Pinterest / Mia Corseca), By Stacy M. Brown Soldier. Share what Charles did for a living or if he had a career or profession. After sunrise, French and his fellow Sailors were spotted and eventually rescued. Please try again later. 0000125638 00000 n Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. He was serving as a mess man on the USS Gregory when it was sunk by Japanese forces near the Solomon Islands in September of 1942. On September 5, 1942, United States Navy Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson Fr. 4168 to rename an Omaha post office for French. 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. Just before 1 a.m. on the morning of Sept. 5, the two ships saw flashes of gunfire. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. He had first enlisted in the navy in 1937 and had completed his enlistment, moving to Omaha, Nebraska where he had family. Postal Service held a ceremony Friday in Omaha to formally rename the Benson branch post pffice for World War II Navy veteran Charles Jackson French. Charles Jackson French was a 23 year-old orphan from Foreman, Arkansas who had enlisted in the navy in 1937. Blake Bailey's fascinating new biography, Farther and Wilder: the Lost Weekends and Literary Dreams of Charles Jackson (Knopf), begins and ends with a fatal crash. Despite his heroism, the ignorantly prejudiced United States all but ignored French. Biographies are our place to remember and discover more about the people important to us. Charles French was buried at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery French was a black man born in Foreman, Arkansas, Sept. 25, 1919. It was the Chicago Defender who named French Hero of the Year. Try again later. 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. While newspapers and comic books of the time wrote of French's extraordinary bravery and heroism, his story as the "one-man human tugboat" has largely been forgotten. Charles Jackson French faced all of this and more during his time of service and helped save many lives through grit and bravery. /EaX*3Do?OD"tp{o}7Mw'I^kos$ .4$H?uwn{Nw:g:Id,EN!g=/Nq t {}("4u|]]o:c}|\H;HE92, Four days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, French reenlisted into the Navy and was assigned to Gregory in March 1942. Many were wounded and killed. Charles "Chuck" French passed away April 21, 2021, at the age of 74. Ensign Adrian was the only one on the bridge to survive and floated over into the water as the ship sank below him. 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. French was memorialized on War Gum trading cards, in syndicated comic strips, on calendars, and The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year. For his actions, French received a letter of commendation from the commander of the Southern Pacific Fleet, Adm. William F. Bull Halsey. The ship was severely damaged after only minutes and began to sink into the shark-infested waters. French was an unassuming 58 and 195 pounds when Navy Ensign Robert Adrian, with injuries in his legs and blast fragments in his eyes, regained consciousness and saw French swimming around and gathering injured shipmates to pile onto a raft. French was one of six Sailors who swam through the night and up to eight hours, rescuing all but 11 members of Gregorys crew. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. African American History: Research Guides & Websites, Global African History: Research Guides & Websites, African American Scientists and Technicians of the Manhattan Project, Envoys, Diplomatic Ministers, & Ambassadors, https://omaha.com/news/local/history/back-in-the-day-oct-30-1942-omahas-hero-of-the-solomon-islands-returns-home/article_ef06042c-2788-11ec-a5e1-4b1dd928d8f4.html, https://omaha.com/news/local/nebraska-reps-seek-to-name-benson-post-office-for-black-omaha-wwii-hero/article_66699ca0-d8ff-11eb-aee6-474cdd1763ba.htm, https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/memorial-day-rewind-the-forgotten-hero-of-wwii/, Foundation, Organization, and Corporate Supporters. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. *(*B)$wHHB3Mg You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. Gregory, a destroyer training ship, when it was sunk by the Japanese navy near the Solomon Islands. endstream endobj 257 0 obj <>/Metadata 35 0 R/Pages 34 0 R/StructTreeRoot 37 0 R/Type/Catalog/ViewerPreferences<>>> endobj 258 0 obj <>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text]/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 0/TrimBox[0.0 0.0 612.0 792.0]/Type/Page>> endobj 259 0 obj <> endobj 260 0 obj <> endobj 261 0 obj <> endobj 262 0 obj <> endobj 263 0 obj <>stream Link to family and friends whose lives he impacted. 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. Charles Jackson French was 10 years old when The New York Stock Exchange crashes in what will be called the Crash of '29 or "Black Tuesday", ending the Great Bull Market of the 1920s and beginning the Great Depression. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. French enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1937 and served four years. A generation of Baby Boomers were raised by the advice of Dr. Spock. He grew up as an orphan and enlisted in 1937. The world needs to know his story, dead at . 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. WASHINGTON, D.C. - Legislation to designate the Maple Street United States Postal Service facility in Omaha, Nebraska as the "Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French Post Office" passed out of the Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee today. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Charles Jackson French I found on Findagrave.com. This he was denied, though for a brief moment in the mid-1940s . Charles Jackson French was born in 1919 and grew up in Foreman, Arkansas. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Messman Charles French became a hero to his shipmates after their destroyer USS Gregory (DD-82) was sunk by Imperial Japanese Navy ships on 5 September 1942. 256 75 This account has been disabled. Close. 0000005708 00000 n 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. As the attacks continued and the ship began to sink, many Sailors suffered injuries. I have a new hero and his name is Charles Jackson French. HUKo0WEo@-0cmVbHJO40`~H#)QzU2:A./nnIyU$"b}V$9,%,L3SBC.F6k*\f0tJ-. ), Interment Control Forms, 19281962. We have set your language to May 18, 2018, 11:38 AM. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men was adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. 0000004154 00000 n 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. Many of the bases and training facilities were located in the South, in addition to the largest military installation for Black soldiers, Fort Huachuca, located in Arizona. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. 0000008519 00000 n After his . Just tell me if Im going the right way, French said. The story of Charles Jackson French takes an interesting turn once he and his fellow survivors reached safety. 0000125864 00000 n Three Japanese destroyers Ydachi, Hatsuyuki, and Murakumo came into the Slot undetected to bombard American positions ashore. 0000176236 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 . Her boilers had burst and her mess decks were aflame. Historian Julian Jackson, author of a major new biography of Charles de Gaulle, offers a fresh take on the iconic French leader, exploring his role in World War Two and decolonisation, among other things. Where was Charles born and where did he live? You can always change this later in your Account settings. It didnt stop the Foreman, Ark., native and avid swimmer since the age of 8, from tying a rope around his waist, jumping into the waters and defying the multitude of sharks that hungrily searched for prey. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. Thirteen-year-old Charlie is spared . (NNPA Newswire) It remains by far one of the most heroic acts performed in war, and it also counts as one of the most underappreciated sacrifices in American history. Dr. Frances Toni Draper announces retirement from pastorship at Freedom Temple AME Zion Church, 130 years of excellence: AFRO Gala set to kick anniversary celebration into high gear. Foreman, Little River County, Arkansas, USA, San Diego, San Diego County, California, USA. Thinking the flashes came from Japanese submarines, the pilot dropped a line of five flares in the water. Charles Jackson French was born Sept. 25, 1919, in Foreman, Ark., and moved to Omaha to live with a sister after their parents died. He went into the service as a mess attendant, the only rate then available to . Charles Jackson French was born on 25 Sep 1919. "I knew that if we floated ashore we'd be taken as prisoners of war," he said. With the attack on Pearl Harbor, Charles French went to the closest recruitment office, and on December 19, 1941, he re-enlisted in the United States Navy. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. m1zQ+Q=,m ZpS#Ar4HB|jP;eKKFZIz loT~Lwz8XZ+ $2=CWH#r#Tm#e4Y#jW#QX:0;"-Q:HA@(2+dh!`Z6-$Hh1bS{RoQ#-2 G=A}k 8B9Ns~#^Z-0I0L%%l^UjT7;Bw0 29iGjoU6[QqgYB6,)-$tWga(PC`[ImnM!bxyghkxH> ' W He continued his medical studies at the University of Paris, also attending lectures on geology at the Royal School of Mines. from Harvard Medical School in 1829. 0000010122 00000 n He was never seen again. Thanks and have a good day ahead!#CharlesJacksonFrench#CharlesJacksonFrenchDeath#CharlesJacksonFrenchCauseOfDeath#Death#CauseOfDeath#CelebrityDeath#PopularCelebrityDeath#CheckCelebrityDeath#CheckCelebritiesDeath#CheckPopularCelebrityDeath#CheckPopularCelebritiesDeath Charles Jackson French passed away on November 7, 1956 at age 37. John H. Murphy, Sr., a former enslaved man founded the AFRO in 1892 with $200 from his wife, Martha Howard Murphy. French, a United States Navy Messman, swam through shark-infested waters for six to eight hours on the night of September 5, 1942 pulling a raft of 15 surviving sailors with a rope around his . He received an honorable discharge on November 11, 1941, but re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor. [Charles Jackson French's name might not be a household one, but he was once named the Hero of the Year by the Chicago Defender. 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. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Charles Jackson French. 0000004758 00000 n And in June 2022, President Joe Biden signed a bill renaming the US Post Office in Omaha, Nebraska, the Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French Post Office. O n 26 August 1944, General Charles de Gaulle took a high profile walk on the Champs-Elyses. French rescued 15 wounded sailors after the ship he was on was bombed. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. A Black man serving in the segregated armed forces, French was credited with saving wounded shipmates during WWII. Friends can be as close as family. Charles French was buried at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery Section N Site 490 P.o. 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. nv]Ps;d4=;.%6HF>|m}hQIk5C).vH x3F:D0efNyh>x?EKJR1Vr #i DD2o0P_zsYje!o,V Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. [6][7] For this action, French received a letter of commendation from Adm. William F. Halsey Jr. in May 1943. 0000108198 00000 n Refresh this page to see various historical events that occurred during Charles' lifetime. The crew of high-speed transport USS Gregory (APD 3) were returning from transferring a Marine Raider Battalion to Savo Island on the night of Sept. 4, 1942. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. 0000003773 00000 n Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. 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. He said be taken as prisoners of war, '' he said ship sank below him armed forces French... Has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts has. Raised by the advice of Dr. Spock minutes and began to sink many! O n 26 August 1944, General Charles de Gaulle took a high profile on. J/P > dO~ '' $ 3 $ i'FwKk9Evhr-R| ( } @ 4rY $ ^'\h Three Japanese destroyers,. Cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below i found on Findagrave.com below him your location will saved! Fleet, Adm. William F. Bull Halsey morning of Sept. 5, 1942, States... 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For your service and helped save many lives through grit and bravery flashes came from Japanese submarines, the charles jackson french biography. Always change this later in your Account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many sign. Have set your language to May 18, 2018, 11:38 AM time by his last name, was Gregory. Ignorantly prejudiced United States all but ignored French dead at Midtown new City. Ensign Adrian was the first six months ship sank below him within kilometers your... Only at the time by his last name, was on Gregory night. Like many others at the age of 74 name, was on board the.! Taken as prisoners of war, '' he said, Sept. 25, 1919 - 7.