Charles Jackson French~On September 5, 1942, United States Navy Messman Charles Jackson French swam

Charles Jackson French~

On September 5, 1942, United States Navy Messman Charles Jackson French 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.

The U.S. Navy Ship the U.S.S. Gregory was hit by Japanese naval fire in the South Pacific. Many were wounded and killed.  French successfully brought these men to safety on the shores of The Solomon Islands.

“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 were 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.”

French was memorialized on War gum trading cards and in a comic strip. The Chicago Defender named him Hero of the Year.

French is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery inSan Diego, California.