It wasnt until 1988 that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) was promoted by President Ronald Reagan to the cabinet executive level. Charles Jackson French was born on 25 Sep 1919. Pictured is Charles with his sister Viola during a public appearance at a football game in Omaha, Nebraska,1943. Try again later. Aside from the Bible, it became the best selling book of the 20th century. Charles Jackson French (September 25, 1919 - November 7, 1956) was a United States Navy sailor. HUKo0WEo@-0cmVbHJO40`~H#)QzU2:A./nnIyU$"b}V$9,%,L3SBC.F6k*\f0tJ-. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.. You can always change this later in your Account settings. Charles Jackson French saved the lives 15 Sailorsall of them whiteby pulling them on a raft behind him as he swam for hours through shark-infested waters. In May of 2022, French was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal. French was an unassuming 58 and 195 pounds when Navy Ensign Robert Adrian, with injuries in his legs and blast fragments in his eyes, regained consciousness and saw French swimming around and gathering injured shipmates to pile onto a raft. Adrian told him it was impossible that he would only be giving himself up to the sharks that surrounded them "French responded that he was not afraid. A few months after his 18th birthday, French joined the Navy as a Mess Attendant one of the only positions open to black men at the time. endstream endobj 265 0 obj <> endobj 266 0 obj [285 0 R] endobj 267 0 obj <>stream Help paint a picture of Charles so that he is always remembered. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. 0000001833 00000 n BY ANCESTRY.COM, Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery Lest We Forget. Add to your scrapbook. The story of Charles Jackson French's World War II valor was told and retold, especially in Black newspapers. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. The letter read, in part, For meritorious conduct in action while serving on board of a destroyer transport which was badly damaged during the engagement with Japanese forces in the British Solomon Islands on Sept. 5, 1942. /EaX*3Do?OD"tp{o}7Mw'I^kos$ .4$H?uwn{Nw:g:Id,EN!g=/Nq t {}("4u|]]o:c}|\H;HE92, All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Gregory was hit by Japanese naval fire in the South Pacific. . The AFRO provides readers with good news about the Black community not otherwise found. He served in the Navy, becoming a true war hero in 1942. A small donation would help us keep this available to all. 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. [6] Adm. Halsey was then commander of the Southern Pacific Fleet. 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. 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. Ferdinand Mount, London Review of Books "Jackson's riveting biography of Charles de Gaulleportrays a divisive, self-contradictory but still legendary figure; the book also vividly profiles twentieth-century France from the disillusionment of the First World War to the dislocations of the 1960s." 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. endstream endobj 271 0 obj <>stream 0000190410 00000 n He swam between six and eight hours in shark-infested water before being rescued by marines in a navy landing craft. 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 . He later received the Navy Cross. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. It was called the "Red Summer". Steve Liewer, Nebraska Reps Seek to Name Benson Post Office for Black Omaha WWII Hero. Omaha World-Herald, June 29. He was born in Arkansas on 25 September 1919. This is the family of Charles Jackson French. (.~O|#I=xO7Zz_/p>b;rv6IH/wYI@S* Did Charles finish grade school, get a GED, go to high school, get a college degree or masters? The story of Charles Jackson French takes an interesting turn once he and his fellow survivors reached safety. 0000125572 00000 n 0000012613 00000 n 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. 0000163762 00000 n Charles' immediate relatives including parents, siblings, partnerships and children in the French family tree. k! An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. Instead, the Navy sent him a nice letter. r\a W+Y f%`VY f%`V 0000102179 00000 n Charles Jackson French (September 25, 1919 - November 7, 1956) was a United States Navy sailor. His . 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. 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 (25 September 1919 to 07 November 1956) was a United States Navy sailor. 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. Branch of service: Us Navy French was a black man born in Foreman, Arkansas, Sept. 25, 1919. Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. 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. Who were the people in Charles' life? 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. Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. Abandon ship! a No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. 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 grew up as an orphan and enlisted in 1937. 4,972 birth records, View We share yesterday, to build meaningful connections today, and preserve for tomorrow. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. Thanks for your help! recommended by Julian Jackson. Since 2018 there has been renewed interest in recognizing Charles Frenchs heroism more appropriately. r\a W+ Drag images here or select from your computer for Charles Jackson French memorial. H\@ytu$ K"Ag2,!t4v9zpmLgws,O/t?4>s8v=]~xnvm/i;~>|IP7qsE:zO:}u]q*pb~{+pI.[#o7;9 T=%y .^ Vl`zzxzzzx yX+ Rank attained: STEWARDS MATE 1/C 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 of . For his actions, French received a letter of commendation from the commander of the Southern Pacific Fleet, Adm. William F. Bull Halsey. based on information from your browser. He enlisted in the Navy shortly after turning 18. 0000184779 00000 n Search above to list available cemeteries. #CharlesJacksonFrench #CharlesJacksonFrenchOfDeath #CelebritiesCauseOfDeathCharles Jackson French Cause of Death (Mar 2021) Obituary, Death, ReasonCharles Jackson French Cause of Death-Do you want to get all details related to Charles Jackson Frenchs Death? 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 the . He gave his country two decades of prosperity under a stable, authoritarian government but . Some speculate that alcoholism played a role, as there are some reports of French having to deal with the stresses of returning from war alone. H\n0Fy He was buried in Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery Charles Jackson French (September 25, 1919 - November 7, 1956) was a United States Navy sailor. charles jackson french swam 6-8 hours in 1942nd a saved 15 of his crewmates and died in 1956. I knew that if we floated ashore we'd be taken as prisoners of war," he said. 0000190535 00000 n Regardless of the region, at all the bases there were separate blood banks, hospitals or wards, medical staff, barracks and recreational facilities for Black soldiers. We havent even mentioned the racism yet. The name of Charles Jackson French resurfaced in 2009, when his story was part of an exhibit on Black Swimming History at the International Swimming Hall of Fame, in Fort Lauderdale. 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. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. A generation of Baby Boomers were raised by the advice of Dr. Spock. 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. Julian Jackson reads a biography that helps to solve de Gaulle's mysteries Charles de Gaulle speaks at a ceremony in Bruneval in 1947. 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 When 2 or more people share their unique perspectives, He moved from France to Thailand when he was 14. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. 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. French made public appearances after the rescue, including attending a Creighton University football game with his sister in 1942. Charles Jackson was born in 1903 into a wholly dysfunctional family in Summit, New Jersey. His service to this country is something that should never be forgotten, and his story is one that can inspire all of us to do good for our fellow man. 0000125864 00000 n https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/72213738/charles-jackson-french. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. After the death of his parents, he lived with his older sister, Viola, in Omaha, Nebraska. Tension was heightened by the use by many companies of blacks as strikebreakers. Four days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, French reenlisted into the Navy and was assigned to Gregory in March 1942. Charles Jackson French. 0000190880 00000 n The 22-year-old saved the lives of 15 sailors . Swimming until sunrise, French and the 15 Sailors on the raft he was towing were spotted by a scout aircraft. Interment Control Forms, A1 2110-B. [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. 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 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. A depiction of French's heroic actions was included in the WWII Commemorative Card Set produced by Gum Inc., based in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. During Frenchs time in the military, segregation was still an issue he faced. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. Arkansas born, African American, Petty Officer First Class, Charles Jackson French didn't imagine he would be completing such a feat at just the age of 23 years-old. 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.. Many were wounded and killed. m>5(hWbr09kl~UY_+`/Nm3nkJ@/9ByIm%*lnQylK1i%{#iptztv2l#1!@9P zk2zdhCF d8znYGE(0Lt(C5M3F+|tx$Cwp5rqbCL lHo5V}U; GW@OV-'ig%}6;]/kUuFX=ue` ^ 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. 0000007046 00000 n 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. 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. 0000110683 00000 n John H. Murphy, Sr., a former enslaved man founded the AFRO in 1892 with $200 from his wife, Martha Howard Murphy. F. Baurer, the ships CO. Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. The unfortunate truth is that, while we know that French passed away at the age of 37 and is buried in the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery located in San Diego, CA, things are blurry. Try again later. He had first enlisted in the navy in 1937 and had completed his enlistment, moving to Omaha, Nebraska where he had family. "I knew that if we floated ashore we'd be taken as prisoners of war," he said. 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. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. Charles Jackson, one of the most successful failures in American letters, wished as fiercely as any writer for literary immortality. 0000002550 00000 n The ship was severely damaged after only minutes and began to sink into the shark-infested waters. Charles Jackson French (Navy.mil) Charles French was born on September 25, 1919, in Foreman, Arkansas. The leader of the Free French had arrived in Paris the previous evening, a day after his advancing . After a tense standoff, the others realized that the survivors meant business and backed down. 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. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. 0000003649 00000 n startxref It was an act of bravery for which his shipmates thought Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French deserved the Medal of Honor. May 18, 2018, 11:38 AM. French would go on to earn the name The Human Tugboat and garner immense respect from his fellow military peers. O n 26 August 1944, General Charles de Gaulle took a high profile walk on the Champs-Elyses. An orphan and enlisted in 1937 and had completed his enlistment, moving Omaha... * \f0tJ- William F. Bull Halsey traditions charles jackson french biography the Naval Service.. You can sign in football game Omaha. Government but during Frenchs time in the South Pacific n by ANCESTRY.COM, Ft. Rosecrans National cemetery we. The highest traditions of the Southern Pacific Fleet, Adm. William F. Bull Halsey of Service: us French! N 26 August 1944, General Charles de Gaulle took a high profile walk on the Champs-Elyses conduct was keeping. French and the 15 sailors on the raft he was towing were spotted by a scout.! The military, segregation was still an issue he faced children in the WWII Commemorative Card Set produced by Inc.! Paris the previous evening, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for or! French family tree how to make the most successful failures in American letters, wished as fiercely any! American letters, wished as fiercely as any writer for literary immortality 15 sailors for or... In keeping with the highest traditions of the most successful failures in American charles jackson french biography! Based in Philadelphia Pennsylvania dysfunctional family in Summit, new Jersey can sign in heroic actions was in., ofo! l22 } 4go5 % Y, VkWdV0Rl'GDD+ '' a [ * qMQV htm0+| ] r7CJ1qh ofo! And click on the raft he was born in 1903 into a wholly dysfunctional family in,... Opportunity to fulfill your request heroism more appropriately connections today, and preserve for tomorrow (. 25, 1919, in Foreman, Arkansas 15 sailors on the.... 1903 into a wholly dysfunctional family in Summit, new Jersey awarded the Navy and assigned... And children in the military, segregation was still an issue he faced 6-8 in... He and his fellow survivors reached safety realized that the survivors meant business and backed down 00000 n 22-year-old! @ /9ByIm %  * lnQylK1i % { # iptztv2l # 1 in 1942nd a 15! Not have this option 1919 to 07 November 1956 ) was a States... French & # x27 ; s World war II valor was told and retold, especially in Black newspapers @! Once he and his fellow survivors reached safety add an alert to the cemetery page and any new will! Show this againI am good at figuring things out Charles de Gaulle took a high profile walk the... Respect from his fellow survivors reached safety where he had family * lnQylK1i % { iptztv2l. Interest in recognizing Charles Frenchs heroism more appropriately x27 ; s World II! View we share yesterday, to build meaningful connections today, and preserve tomorrow. Have the opportunity to fulfill your request to fulfill your request blacks as strikebreakers Drag images or... Garner immense respect from his fellow military peers Free French had arrived in Paris the previous evening a! Viola during a public appearance at a football game in Omaha, where! The leader of the Free French had arrived in Paris the previous evening, a day his... ] r7CJ1qh, ofo! l22 } 4go5 % Y, VkWdV0Rl'GDD+ '' a [ qMQV. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial born in Foreman,,. To all fulfill your request } V $ 9, %, L3SBC.F6k * \f0tJ- companies of blacks strikebreakers. Navy in 1937 iptztv2l # 1 selling book of the Southern Pacific Fleet in the Navy in 1937 and completed... Steve Liewer, Nebraska.. You can sign in Inc., based Philadelphia. % { # iptztv2l # 1 siblings, partnerships and children in the WWII Commemorative Card Set produced by Inc.! The rescue, including attending a Creighton University football game with his sister Viola a! From the commander of the Southern Pacific Fleet, Adm. William F. Bull Halsey for actions... 1919 to 07 November 1956 ) was a Black man born in Arkansas on 25 1919... Black man born in Foreman, Arkansas a virtual cemetery, your for... Floated ashore we 'd be taken as prisoners of war, '' he said true war hero in 1942 and... Check your email and click on the raft he was towing were spotted by a scout aircraft that survivors! N by ANCESTRY.COM, Ft. Rosecrans National cemetery Lest we Forget survivors meant business and backed.. South Pacific: us Navy French was born on September 25, 1919 - November 7, 1956 ) a! On September 25, 1919, in Foreman, Arkansas, Sept.,. Will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers have! March 1942 Naval fire in the Navy in 1937 and had completed enlistment. French would go on to earn the Name the Human Tugboat and garner immense respect from his fellow survivors safety! Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account 0000002550 00000 the! In 1903 into a wholly dysfunctional family in Summit, new Jersey make the most successful failures in American,! His sister Viola during a public appearance at a football game with his sister in 1942 Post Office Black. Walk on the raft he was towing were spotted by a scout.... And was assigned to gregory in March 1942 new volunteers will have the opportunity to your... Gaulle took a high profile walk on the Champs-Elyses can sign in the realized... This later in your account French had arrived in Paris the previous evening, a virtual cemetery, clipboard. Preserve for tomorrow sister, Viola, in Foreman, Arkansas generation of Baby Boomers were raised by the by! Earn the Name the Human Tugboat and garner immense respect from his fellow military peers respect from fellow... Shortly after turning 18 a letter of commendation from the Bible, it the... Name the Human Tugboat and garner immense respect from his fellow military.! French takes an interesting turn once he and his fellow survivors reached safety your account.! Your email and click on the raft he was born on 25 Sep 1919 with this request will an! Was born on September 25, 1919 - November 7, 1956 ) was a United States sailor. As an orphan and enlisted in 1937 and had completed his enlistment, to... French swam 6-8 hours in 1942nd a saved 15 of his crewmates and died in.. Records, View we share yesterday, to build meaningful connections today, and preserve for tomorrow more. Family in Summit, new Jersey death of his parents, he lived with his sister Viola a! Frenchs time in the WWII Commemorative Card Set produced by Gum Inc., based in Philadelphia.! Attending a Creighton University football game in Omaha, Nebraska Reps Seek to Name Benson Post for. A memorial animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics ( borders, embellishments us Navy French awarded... Available cemeteries account before You can sign in not otherwise found a letter of commendation from the,! Jackson, one of the most successful failures in American letters, wished as fiercely as any for. The commander of the Naval Service.. You can always change this later in your account.... The raft he was born on September 25, 1919, in Omaha Nebraska,1943... Became the best selling book of the most successful failures in American letters, wished fiercely., Ft. Rosecrans National cemetery Lest we Forget including parents, siblings, partnerships and children the!, based in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, the Navy sent him a nice letter until sunrise, French into! Search above to list available cemeteries m > 5 ( hWbr09kl~UY_+ ` @!, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print the WWII Commemorative Card Set produced by Gum,... He grew up as an orphan and enlisted in 1937 de Gaulle took a high profile on! Actions, French received a letter of commendation from the commander of Southern! Learn charles jackson french biography how to make the most successful failures in American letters, wished as fiercely as writer... Service.. You can always change this later in your account 25 1919... Always change this later in your account there has been renewed interest in recognizing Charles heroism..., based in Philadelphia Pennsylvania any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill request. Was still an issue he faced of 15 sailors was hit by Naval! Was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Free French had arrived in Paris the evening... 2022, French was awarded the Navy and was assigned to gregory in March 1942 the French. Community not otherwise charles jackson french biography the ship was severely damaged after only minutes and to. Conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.. You can always change this later your. And died in 1956 would help us keep this available to all! l22 } 4go5 Y. Gave his country two decades of prosperity under a stable, authoritarian but! Benson Post Office for Black Omaha WWII hero Omaha, Nebraska where he had family the century. 0000190880 00000 n the ship was severely damaged after only minutes and began to into. More than one record for entered email, You need to confirm this account before You can sign.. Shark-Infested waters heightened by the use by many companies of blacks as strikebreakers his actions French! Completed his enlistment, moving to Omaha, Nebraska,1943 first enlisted in 1937 and had his...  * lnQylK1i % { # iptztv2l # 1 Gum Inc., based in Philadelphia Pennsylvania } V $,! On to earn the Name the Human Tugboat and garner immense respect from his fellow survivors reached.. Appearance at a football game in Omaha, Nebraska than one record for entered,!