Steward's Mate First Class Charles J. French
U.S. Navy (USN) mess attendant USS Gregory (APD-3)

Background
Charles Jackson French was born on September 25, 1919 in Foreman, Arkansas. At a young age, he learned to swim in the Red River. After his parents died, he moved to Omaha, Nebraska to live with his older sister Viola.

Wartime History
In 1937 at age 18 he joined in the U.S. Navy (USN) as a mess attendant and served aboard Heavy Cruiser USS Houston (CA-30). In 1941 after completing four years of service he returned to Omaha.

On December 11, 1941 he relisted in the Navy. During March 1942, assigned as a mess attendant aboard High-Speed transport USS Gregory (APD-3) in the South Pacific. On September 5, 1942 at 1:00am engaged by gunfire from Japanese destroyers and sunk off Lunga Point on Guadalcanal. After the sinking, he swam for between 6-8 hours in a shark infested waters towing a life raft with fifteen wounded sailors inside to keep them safe until rescued.

Afterwards, French was recommended for the Navy Cross. Instead received a letter of commendation in May 1943 from Admiral William F. Halsey with a citation: "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 was 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."

On March 9, 1945 French was discharged with the rank of Steward's Mate First Class (StM1c). Postwar, he married Jettie Mae French and the couple moved to San Diego and had had a daughter.

Awards
On May 21, 2022, at a ceremony at at Naval Base San Diego he posthumously earned the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his action on September 5, 1942 and the award presented to his family. That same day, the Naval Aviation Schools Command rescue swimmer training pool was also named in his honor. Three generations of French’s family attended 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.

During June 2022 H.R. 4168 was signed designating U.S. Postal Service facility at 6223 Maple Street, in Omaha, Nebraska to be named the Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French Post Office.

On January 10, 2024 the U.S. Navy announced a future Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Charles J. French (DDG-142) will be named in his honor.

Memorials
French died on November 11, 1956 at age 37 in San Diego. He is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery at section N site 490.

Relatives
Jettie Mae French (wife died November 17, 1968)

References
Gum Inc Educational Card "129. Negro Swimmer Tows Survivors" 1942
FindAGrave - Charles Jackson French (photos, grave photo)
International Swimming Hall of Fame "The Story of Charles Jackson French" (1942) by Bruce Wigo
U.S. Navy News - Charles Jackson French: The Human Tugboat February 24, 2022
International Swimming Hall of Fame - Post Office honor for French Jackson passes hurdle with Sasse support March 29, 2022
Swimming World Magazine - The Story of Charles Jackson French – A Hero For Our Time by Bruce Wigo May 25, 2023
6 News Omaha post office to be renamed in honor of local World War II hero May 27, 2022
U.S. Navy News - Navy Dedicates Rescue Swimmer Training Pool and Presents Posthumous Award to WWII Hero’s Family May 23, 2022
U.S. Navy News - SECNAV Del Toro Names Navy Destroyer for WWII Hero Charles French January 10, 2024
Military.com The Navy's Naming of its Newest Destroyer Is the Latest Attempt to Honor a Forgotten Black WWII Hero Feb 1, 2024
Navsource - USS Charles J. French (DDG-142)

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