WWII Veteran Charles Jackson French's Name Now On Benson Post Office

From Nebraska Examiner:

By Aaron Sanderford

September 9, 2022

OMAHA — The brick post office in Benson now bears the name of a Navy man with Omaha ties: World War II hero Charles Jackson French.

Members of the French family and elected leaders attended a ceremony Friday celebrating naming the building for him.

“If his parents and his siblings were living, they would be very proud,” said Chester French, one of Charles’ nephews.

Another nephew, Roscoe Harris, thanked the group of more than 50 attendees for honoring their uncle’s sacrifice. Both nephews live in Omaha.

Eighty years ago this month, Japanese forces sank the ship on which French served, the USS Gregory, near Guadalcanal Island.

Petty Officer 1st Class French, a Black man who lived in Omaha before entering the Navy, saved the lives of 15 injured white sailors.

French tied a rope to his waist, jumped into the ocean and swam for six to eight hours, pulling a raft with the injured men.

One of Charles Jackson French’s nephews, Roscoe Harris, speaks to a crowd of more than 50 who gathered to honor the Navy World War II veteran. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)

At that point, the Navy was segregated and limited service members of color to jobs in the ship’s galley.

After French and the sailors were rescued, a crew tried separating him from the others. Sailors vouched for him.

Chester French said his family have heard from the daughters of one sailor who hung off the side of the raft and helped Charles navigate. They also have heard from family members of others on the raft.

Navy Cmdr. Ben Selph, who flew in for the ceremony, said French’s selfless example is one that American sailors aspire to match.

“Petty Officer French, Charles Jackson French, knew before so many in our country did that what matters is the content of a man’s character over the color of his skin,” said Selph, who is based in San Diego.

U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer and U.S. Rep. Don Bacon speak with family members of Navy World War II veteran Charles Jackson French in Omaha. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)

U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., and U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., led an effort that was joined by the rest of the Nebraska congressional delegation to rename the post office for French.

Bacon, a retired Air Force brigadier general, said at the ceremony that people who have served in the military recognize “gallantry, courage, never leaving your buddy behind.” They see a brother in French, he said.

“He changed hearts of 15 sailors who were there that day,” Bacon said. “It has taken thousands of Petty Officer Frenches to change hearts and minds.”

Fischer called Friday a joyous occasion that was “a long time coming.” She said the country needed to honor French for his service and sacrifice.

“It’s important for future generations that they can be inspired by this story of one man and his remarkable actions to save his colleagues,” she said. “It is our duty to keep those stories alive.”

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