🇺🇲WWII uncovered: Charles Jackson French: Movement to Upgrade Military Honor for World War II Hero Gaines Momentum.

 🇺🇲WWII uncovered: Charles Jackson French: Movement to Upgrade Military Honor for World War II Hero Gaines Momentum.

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'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" -The International Swimming Hall of Fame and Swimming World Magazine.

Charles Jackson French passed away on November 7th, 1956 at the age of 37. 

It is reported that his passing was connected to "combat fatigue" which is now classified as post-traumatic stress.

 Charles lies in rest at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego California. 

French's cause caught fire in the Spring of 2021 propelled by social media. 

On April 23, a Facebook group called WWII uncovered posted an item on French that was based on Wigo’s research.

 The item attracted 215,000 “likes” and was shared 64,000 times. 

The post was amplified on Twitter, where the Navy’s Chief of Information, Rear Admiral Charles Brown, said the Navy would “look into whether we can do more to recognize Petty Officer French.” - Omaha World-Herald September 28, 2021. 

According to the US Navy Office of Information: "The US Navy dedicated a surface rescue swimmer training pool located at Naval Base San Diego (NBSD) in honor of Steward’s Mate 1st Class Charles Jackson French Saturday, May 21, 2022. 

Three generations of French’s family were seated in the front row at the ceremony including; nephews Chester French and Roscoe Harris, Chester’s wife Linda, Roscoe’s sons Michael and Christopher Harris and Christopher’s sons Chris Jr., Mark and Samuel Harris.

"After the award presentation, the French family was joined by Mr. 

James Wright from Nebraska Congressman Don Bacon’s office, for a ceremonial ribbon cutting with Navy officials.

 The event officially marked the dedication and naming of the NASC training pool to the “Charles Jackson French Training Pool.”

It was also announced in May of 2022 that Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French will be honored by having the US Post Office in Omaha’s Benson area, on 6223 Maple Street, be renamed in his honor.