In the News

New effort seeks to honor Omaha WWII hero

Congressional action would name Benson post office after Charles Jackson French

A U.S. House resolution introduced by all three Nebraska congressmen seeks to honor Charles Jackson French by naming the Benson post office for the man who rescued 15 injured shipmates during World War II.

French, a First Class Petty Officer, swam for nearly eight hours through shark-infested waters off Guadalcanal towing a life raft to save the sailors from a sinking ship.

As KETV NewsWatch 7 has previously reported, French's heroism received national attention at the time. His efforts were the subject of trading cards and comic books. But French was honored only with a letter of commendation, and his actions had faded from the history books.

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