Steward's Mate First Class Charles French’s Navy career started in 1937, serving four years aboard the USS Houston (CA 30) as a mess attendant. Due to segregation, that was one the few ratings available to African Americans. With his enlistment up, he finished his tour and returned to Omaha, but re-enlisted four days after the attack on Pearl Harbor. 
This time he was assigned to the USS Gregory (DD 82/ADP 3), a Wickes-class destroyer turned into a high-speed transport. 
September 5, 1942, the Gregory, with sister ship, the USS Little (DD 79/ADP 4) had delivered a Marine Raider Battalion to Savo Island near Guadalcanal and on their return saw the muzzle flashes from three modern Japanese destroyers bombarding Henderson Field. 
While the ships’ skippers debated attacking the larger and heavier armed force, a Navy scout plane made the decision for them. Wrongly identifying the ships as enemy, the plane dropped flares over the two American ships. 
Nearly as fast as the Japanese turrets could traverse, they began shelling the American ships. An hour later both ships were sinking. 
The 5’ 8”, 195 lbs. French found himself in the water, one of the few uninjured survivors. While the Japanese continued firing on the American survivors, he began helping the wounded into a raft. After 15 men were aboard he tied a line to himself and began swimming through the shark infested waters, away from the Japanese held part of Guadalcanal. 
The Human Tugboat, as he was later be named, would continue swimming for about 8 hours. Two watches. 16 bells. A full day's work. He swam through the night.
The group was finally rescued by a Marine landing craft looking for survivors. In total only 11 more Gregory Sailors survived the sinking.
At the time French was hailed as a hero in the black press and in Omaha, but only received a letter of commendation from Adm. William “Bull” Halsey. 
However, efforts are underway to correct that. May 21, 2022, President Joe Biden posthumously awarded French the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, the same medal President John F. Kennedy was awarded for similar swimming heroics. This was announced at a ceremony naming Navy Aviation Schools Command rescue swimmer pool in San Diego in French’s honor. His family were in attendance. 
The schools motto is “So that others may live.”
Additionally, the Arleigh Burke Class Guided-Missile Destroyer, USS Charles J. French, (DDG 142) is under construction, scheduled for commission 2029. 
French would serve aboard two more ships before the end of the war. Sadly, after the war he succumbed to alcoholism spurred by post-traumatic stress. 
Steward First Class Charles J. French died in 1956 and is interred at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, with his wife Jettie Mae, who joined him in 1968. He was 37. She was 51.
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Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery

Freedom is never free and the blaze of a trailblazer is often unnoticed in their lifetime. To the family of a fellow Shipmate, service is hard, but serving is easy because it's from the heart. I rejoice with you over the long-awaited recognition of your loved one. I mourn with you regarding all that was short-changed because of the mental illness called racism! As long as we have breath in our lungs, all have a chance of experiencing the selfless love of caring for others.  Rest in peace PO1 Charles Jackson French and know that you were born to be extra-ordinary!!!

PO2 Melanie Duncan 

https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/2946177/charles-jackson-french-the-human-tugboat/

????????A Salute to Charles Jackson French a Hero's Hero
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.
Original description and photo sourced by The International Swimming Hall of Fame, www.swimmingworldmagazine.com and ancestry.com

CHARLES JACKSON FRENCH

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