Washington, D.C. – Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) today announced his bill H.R. 4168, will be considered on the House Floor this week. This legislation would name the U.S. Post Office in Omaha’s Benson area, 6223 Maple St., after Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French, a World War II hero with ties to Omaha, who rescued fifteen of his injured shipmates by swimming for hours through shark-infested waters off the coast of the Guadalcanal. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) introduced the same legislation in the Senate.

Petty Officer French served as a mess attendant on the USS Gregory, when the military was racially segregated. However, this did not stop him from rescuing fifteen of his injured fellow sailors when their ship was attacked and sunk by Japanese gunfire. French helped his crewmates into a life raft and tied it to himself, swimming for nearly eight hours through nightfall and swarming sharks until they were finally identified and rescued.

Despite his extraordinary display of valor, French and his family received little recognition that his service and sacrifice deserve. Honoring the legacy of an American hero like Charles Jackson French is long overdue.

“Petty Officer French put his life on the line for his fellow sailors, despite the racial tensions and injustices at the time,” said Rep. Bacon. “As a veteran, I believe he should be honored for his bravery and sacrifice. Renaming a post office in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District is the least we can do. I urge my House colleagues to support this legislation.”

In June, Rep. Bacon delivered a floor speech to share Petty Officer French’s story. You can watch it here.

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