Source: United States Senator for Nebraska Deb Fischer
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today introduced legislation to designate the United States Post Service facility at 6223 Maple Street in Omaha, Nebraska as the “Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French Post Office.”
Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Officer Charles Jackson French is a national hero who rescued 15 of his shipmates after swimming for hours through shark-infested waters in the South Pacific during World War II. French was awarded a letter of commendation—but never received proper recognition for his heroism. Renaming this Omaha post office is a long overdue step in honoring Petty Officer French’s incredible legacy of service and sacrifice,” said Senator Fischer.
“Petty Officer French was an American hero who deserves to be recognized for his bravery in saving his shipmates from certain death. I thank my friend Sen. Fischer for leading this rightful acknowledgement in the Senate so we can honor this man,” said Rep. Bacon.
“We, the family of Charles Jackson French are thankful and appreciative for the humanity shown towards our uncle’s heroic act,” said Chester French and Roscoe Harris, nephews of Petty Officer French.
French, who lived in Omaha for a big portion of his life, was a Navy mess attendant on the USS Gregory during World War II. In September 1942, when the Gregory was hit by Japanese naval gunfire near Guadalcanal, he helped 15 of his crewmates into a life raft and tied a rope around his waist, swimming for nearly eight hours through nightfall and surrounding sharks in order to avoid being captured by the Japanese on shore. The men were later identified and rescued, and French received a letter of commendation from then commander of the Southern Pacific Fleet for his valor. The survivors of the Gregory felt French deserved a much higher tribute, but he died without such a recognition.
Officer Charles Jackson French’s heroism was recognized at the U.S. Olympic swim trials in Omaha earlier this year. More information from KETV here.
Click here to read the text of the legislation.