
1st Class Petty Officer Charles Jackson French is the late Uncle of Bethel's Bro. Rosco Harris.
Charles Jackson French was a United States Navy sailor known for his heroic actions during World War II.
French was born September 25, 1919 in Foreman, Arkansas, and he enlisted in the Navy in 1937, served for four years, received an honorable discharge November 11, 1941, and re-enlisted in 1941 after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
His most notable act of bravery occurred on September 5, 1942, when the USS Gregory was sunk by Japanese gunfire near the Solomon Islands. Mr. French saved 15 of his injured shipmates by loading them into a life raft and towing them to safety in shark-infested waters. After lifting them into the life raft, Mr. French realized that if left to float to shore, both he and his shipmates would be captured, tortured, and likely killed. 1st Class Petty Officer French, in survival mode, pulled the life raft containing his 15 of his shipmates to safety. This selfless act took anywhere from six to eight hours.
Despite his incredible heroism, he received only a letter of commendation instead of a medal. He passed away on November 7, 1956, He was only 37 years old.
French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal in 2022 for his actions. In June 2022, President Joe Biden signed a law designating a U.S. Postal Service facility in Omaha, Neb., as the Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French Post Office.
Charles Jackson French was a United States Navy sailor known for his heroic actions during World War II.
French was born September 25, 1919 in Foreman, Arkansas, and he enlisted in the Navy in 1937, served for four years, received an honorable discharge November 11, 1941, and re-enlisted in 1941 after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
His most notable act of bravery occurred on September 5, 1942, when the USS Gregory was sunk by Japanese gunfire near the Solomon Islands. Mr. French saved 15 of his injured shipmates by loading them into a life raft and towing them to safety in shark-infested waters. After lifting them into the life raft, Mr. French realized that if left to float to shore, both he and his shipmates would be captured, tortured, and likely killed. 1st Class Petty Officer French, in survival mode, pulled the life raft containing his 15 of his shipmates to safety. This selfless act took anywhere from six to eight hours.
Despite his incredible heroism, he received only a letter of commendation instead of a medal. He passed away on November 7, 1956, He was only 37 years old.
French was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal in 2022 for his actions. In June 2022, President Joe Biden signed a law designating a U.S. Postal Service facility in Omaha, Neb., as the Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French Post Office.