![]() ![]() ![]() Army veteran and government affairs associate at the organization Common Defense. "Too often in our past, service members of color were overlooked despite their fidelity and bravery in the face of overwhelming odds," said Naveed Shah, a U.S. ![]() The sailor was also awarded a letter of commendation and a Navy Marine Corps Medal.Īs in the case of most other Black service members during World War II, French's bravery was not adequately recognized through awards, several U.S. He died at the age of 37 on Novemin San Diego.ĭescribed as "hero of the year" by the African-American newspaper Chicago Defender, French received a royal welcome as he returned to Omaha. 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 USS Gregory after it was bombed by the Japanese navy near Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands.Īt the time, French, of Omaha, Nebraska, was 22 years old and serving as a mess attendant. Navy Chief of Information on Saturday moved to properly recognize a "heroic" Black World War II sailor for swimming through the night for hours to save 15 wounded sailors. ![]()
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