US Navy Destroyer To Be Named After WWII Hero Charles Jackson French

Charles Jackson French, a local hero of World War II, will soon have a naval vessel named after him. Last week, the U.S. Navy declared that a guided-missile destroyer of the Arleigh Burke-class will be titled after French. The vessel is scheduled to be constructed in 2026, with its delivery expected in 2031. After the USS Gregory was lost close to Guadalcanal Island in 1942, Petty Officer 1st Class French threw himself into the deeply shark-infested waters to save 15 shipmates. He fastened a rope around himself, got them on a nearby raft, and swam them safely.

On January 10, the Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, stated that the “Human Tugboat” would get a ship naming honour. French endlessly served at a time when the Navy had only limited jobs for the Black sailors and hardly ever awarded them with the same honours as the white individuals for their bravery.

Let the ship inspire to challenge one’s limitations and always answer the call of duty, even if the waters are rough and the path ahead of one is uncertain, Del Toro mentioned in a statement. The Secretary declared the naming during the annual symposium of the Surface Navy Association in Arlington, Virginia.

Sen. Deb Fischer of Nebraska and Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska collaborated with historians and French’s family in 2021–2022 to help draw all due attention to French’s cause. In 2022, the Charles Jackson French Post Office was the new name given to the Benson Post Office as an outcome of their attempts.

In the same year, French was rewarded with the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, and his name was added to the rescue swimmer training pool at the Naval Base San Diego. Now, there will also be a destroyer in French’s name. Fischer and Bacon praised the Navy for renaming the vessel and recognized the French’s heroism. The retired Air Force brigadier general Bacon stated that both women and men would proudly serve on the ship that carried French’s name. In March 2022, French’s nephew Roscoe Harris noted that his uncle’s story was American.

Reference: nebraskaexaminer

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