The pool facility belongs to Naval Aviation Faculties Command (NASC). NASC is situated in Pensacola, Fla., however has swim websites in places like NBSD. This specific pool trains floor rescue swimmers to save lots of lives and the command’s moto is “So others could dwell.”
“At Naval Aviation Faculties Command, we proudly and enthusiastically educate our pupil naval aviators, aircrew and rescue swimmers in regards to the historical past and heritage of our Navy and the extraordinary actions of those that got here earlier than us,” mentioned NASC Government Officer Cmdr. Brandy McNabb in the course of the ceremony.
The ceremony was set contained in the coaching pool facility and behind McNabb, as she speaks to the household of French and the visitors seated earlier than her, sits a 20 particular person life raft floating empty on high of the quiet water of the Olympic measurement pool. McNabb breaks from her speech to share a narrative from one other Navy chief assigned to NBSD, who has a singular connection to French however couldn’t be on the ceremony to share in particular person.
“Capt. Spencer Austin, the Commodore of Mine Division TWELVE has a private connection to the household,” she mentioned. “He sadly couldn’t be right here with us as we speak, however has requested that we share his grandfather’s story.”
“My grandfather [Oswald Austin] advised me he was within the pilot home with the commanding officer when the Japanese began shelling the ship and he was knocked over the life rails falling to the primary deck beneath with extreme shrapnel wounds,” wrote Austin. “We decided that somebody needed to have rescued my grandfather as a result of he was too badly injured to swim and for years I couldn’t perceive how he acquired out of the water that night time primarily based on his accidents. It wasn’t till only a few years in the past I heard of Charles [Jackson] French and after talking with the household and reviewing outdated information studies that Mrs. Linda French despatched to me, I consider my grandfather was rescued by Mr. Charles [Jackson] French and it was he who swam my grandfather to security,” learn McNabb.
Three generations of French’s household had been seated within the entrance row on the ceremony together with; nephews Chester French and Roscoe Harris, Chester’s spouse Linda, Roscoe’s sons Michael and Christopher Harris and Christopher’s sons Chris Jr., Mark and Samuel Harris.
“I had the distinction of sharing this information with the household,” mentioned Commander, Navy Area Southwest, Rear Adm. Stephen Barnett.
Barnett recounted calling the household and the way honored he was to spend time speaking to them in regards to the pool dedication. “It’s such a pleasure to lastly meet you in particular person,” he mentioned.
French was awarded a Letter of Commendation by then Commander, South Pacific Space and South Pacific Forces, Admiral William Halsey for his actions. Nevertheless, many consider the award is just not commensurate with French’s actions because of his being African American throughout a time of racial inequality.
“I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge that Charles [Jackson] French was an African American serving at a time when prejudice and discrimination had been ever current in our Armed Forces and society,” mentioned NBSD Commanding Officer, Capt. Ted Carlson. “Which makes this recognition of Charles [Jackson] French’s heroic actions much more vital.”
French’s household nodded in settlement with Carlson’s acknowledgement however the Navy’s Chief of Data, Rear Adm. Charles Brown had introduced one thing particular to the ceremony to current to the household on behalf of the President of america and the Navy.
“On behalf of the Secretary of the Navy Carlos De Toro, it’s my large honor to welcome as much as the entrance the household of Petty Officer French in order that we could extra correctly acknowledge his actions,” mentioned Brown as he welcomed the household to affix him.
“The President of america of America takes satisfaction in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal posthumously to Mess Attendant Second Class Charles Jackson French, United States Navy for service as set forth within the following quotation: For heroism whereas serving on board USS GREGORY, a destroyer transport ship that was misplaced throughout an engagement with Japanese forces within the British Solomon Islands on September fifth, 1942. After the engagement, a gaggle of about fifteen males had been adrift on a raft, which was being intentionally shelled by Japanese naval forces. Mess Attendant Second Class French tied a line to himself and swam for greater than two hours with out relaxation in an try to tow the raft. By his initiative, braveness, and full dedication to obligation, Mess Attendant First Class French mirrored nice credit score upon himself and upheld the very best traditions of america Naval Providers.”
After the award presentation, the French household was joined by Mr. James Wright from Nebraska Congressman Don Bacon’s workplace, for a ceremonial ribbon slicing with Navy officers. The occasion formally marked the dedication and naming of the NASC coaching pool to the “Charles Jackson French Coaching Pool.”
“It’ll encourage generations of Sailors,” mentioned Brown of the story of French. “It’s a narrative of the perfect of who we’re.”
French left the Navy as a Steward’s Mate 1st Class and settled in San Diego together with his spouse. He’s buried at Fort Rosecrans Nationwide Cemetery in San Diego.
