USS Charles J. French

USS Charles J. French is the planned 92nd Aegis guided missile destroyer of the United States Navy. She is named for Charles J. French.

Naming

She is named for Steward's Mate 1st Class Charles J. French, an African American cook serving in the US Navy during World War II who was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroic actions not involving direct contact with an armed enemy. US Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro announced the name on 10 January 2024 in honor of a sailor whose heroics had long been over-looked.

Historical background

French was serving in the Pacific aboard the destroyer when his ship was sunk at Guadalcanal on 4 September 1942. As the crew were abandoning ship, the Japanese began shelling helpess men in the water. French collected a group of wounded shipmates onto a makeshift raft which was attached to his waist with a rope. He then spent the next eight hours swimming through the shark-infested waters towing the raft carrying approximately fifteen shipmates to safety. Despite saving these lives, and the multiple recommendations to decorate French with a higher level medal or award for his valor, such as the Navy Cross, all were rejected by the military. Instead he only received a personal letter of commendation from Admiral William Halsey.