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Charles Jackson French 1919 - 1956

Charles Jackson French of San Diego, San Diego County, California United States was born on September 25, 1919 in Foreman, Little River County, AR, and died at age 37 years old on November 7, 1956 in San Diego, San Diego County, CA. Charles French was buried at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery Section N Site 490 P.o. Box 6237, in San Diego.

Charles Jackson French

San Diego, San Diego County, California United States

September 25, 1919

Foreman, Little River County, Arkansas, 71836, United States

November 7, 1956

San Diego, San Diego County, California, United States

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Charles Jackson French Charles French (1919 - 1956)

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Charles Jackson French's History: 1919 - 1956

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Introduction

Charles Jackson French was born on September 25, 1919 in Foreman, Arkansas. He was an orphan who learned to swim in the Red River at the age of eight. He was a United States Navy sailor and had first enlisted in the navy in 1937 and had completed his enlistment, moving to Omaha, Nebraska where he had family. 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. During WWII, Petty Officer French bravely swam 6–8 hours in shark-infested waters near Guadalcanal, towing a life raft with 15 USS Gregory survivors attacked by the Japanese Navy. Adm. Halsey commended French in May 1943 for meritorious conduct, highlighting his two-hour swim to tow the raft amidst Japanese shelling, praising his adherence to naval service traditions. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip and was named Hero of the Year in "The Chicago Defender". Charles French passed away on November 7, 1956 in San Diego, California at the young age of 37. He is buried at the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California.
09/25

1919

Birthday

September 25, 1919

Birthdate

Foreman, Little River County, Arkansas 71836, United States

Birthplace

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Ethnicity & Family History

Charles Jackson French was born to parents Jackson French and Louise Norwood. He had siblings including Cecelia, Sarah, Chester, Martha, Arrie, and Viola French. His father Jackson was born in December of 1867 in Arkansas. He married Louise on December 23, 1899 in Little River, Arkansas, United States. The couple lived in Jackson, Little River, Arkansas, USA and he worked as a farmer. Jackson passed away sometime before 1930. His mother Louise was born on August 7, 1879 in Foreman, Arkansas. After marrying Jackson on December 23, 1899 she had eight children, one who did not survive. She lived in Jackson, Little River, Arkansas, USA most of her life and passed away there on March 16, 1931. Later in life Charles married Jettie May French and they had a daughter, Nancy Carrol French.
Nationality & Locations

Charles was born in Foreman, Arkansas, USA and grew up in Jackson, Little River, Arkansas, USA. After joining the Navy he later resided in Omaha, Douglas, Nebraska, USA and San Diego, California, USA.
Military Service

Charles served in the US Navy as a "Stewards Mate 1/C" and a Petty Officer First Class. He served from 1937–1946 and was a veteran of World War II. Charles Jackson French (September 25, 1919 – November 7, 1956) was a United States Navy sailor. He had first enlisted in the navy in 1937 and had completed his enlistment, moving to Omaha, Nebraska where he had family. 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. During World War II, Petty Officer First Class 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. For this action, French received a letter of commendation from Adm. William F. Halsey, Jr. in May 1943. Adm. Halsey was then commander of the Southern Pacific Fleet. 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. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year.
Professional Career

Charles served in the US Navy for almost ten years. When not in service, he worked at the US Electronics Lab in San Diego, California, USA.
Personal Life & Family

By the feat, French should have become the first black swimmer to earn the Navy Medal for his heroic feat in 1943, however, he was denied the Medal of Honor or Silver Star. Instead, he received a letter of commendation from Adm. William F. Halsey, Jr. in May 1943. Halsey was then commander of the Southern Pacific Fleet. 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. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.” French, an orphan described as a “human tugboat,” received a royal welcome from citizens of all races in his sister Viola’s hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. He appeared before enthusiastic crowds at bond rallies, and a high decoration seemed assured. However, as in the case of many other African-American war heroes, he would receive a lesser reward than anticipated.
11/7

1956

Death

November 7, 1956

Death date

Unknown
Cause of death

San Diego, San Diego County, California United States
Death location

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Gravesite & Burial

mm/dd/yyyy
Funeral date
Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery Section N Site 490 P.o. Box 6237, in San Diego, Ca 92166
Burial location
Obituary

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. French successfully brought the men to safety on the shores of the Solomon Islands. French was the first black swimmer to earn the Navy Medal for his heroism in 1943. 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 safety. Ensign Adrian was the only one on the bridge to survive and floated over into the water as the ship sank below him. Hearing voices, he found a life raft filled with 15 wounded men. Adrian, though superficially wounded, was able to hang on. “I knew that if we floated ashore we'd be taken as prisoners of war," he said. "Then French volunteered to swim the raft away from shore. He asked for help to tie a rope around his waist and towed them to safety." 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. He was a powerful swimmer, and swam all night, 6 to 8 hours, until they were eventually saved by a landing craft." Once Charles Jackson French was 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. 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. Pictured is Charles with his sister Viola during a public appearance at a football game in Omaha, Nebraska,1943. 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. Lest We Forget. Contributor: Judy Borden Soos (46958020) • Charles Jackson French passed away on November 7, 1956 at age 37. He was buried in Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery Section N Site 490, San Diego, California. He was born on September 25, 1919. We have no information about Charles's family.

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5 Memories, Stories & Photos about Charles

Amanda S. Stevenson

16.8k+ favorites

04/17/2021

NAVY WAR HERO - CHARLES JACKSON FRENCH

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. The U.S. Navy Ship the U.S.S. Gregory was hit by Japanese naval fire in the South Pacific. Many were wounded and killed. French successfully brought these men to safety on the shores of The Solomon Islands. French was the first black swimmer to earn the Navy Medal for his heroism in 1943. We remember Charles Jackson French and commemorate his heroism and incredible swimming to celebrate Black History Month. Thank you for your service and your valor, Mr. French.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

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